When designing this garden, the brief was to think local and edible . It’s a small space, only about 7m x 12m, but it had to have several functions including to entertain, everyday cooking, educational  and hands on.

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When designing this garden, the brief was to think local and edible . It’s a small space, only about 7m x 12m, but it had to have several functions including to entertain, everyday cooking, educational and hands on. It didn’t take long to initiate a concept, but using recycled materials is a whole new way of designing. Once the concept was drawn, it was a matter of sourcing suitable materials. It started with re using a broken Hills-Hoist clothes line and snowballed from there.

The garden is on several easy to access levels and individually, each area provides for different functions. A picnic lawn around the fire for winter, a play area with seating for around forty guests, fish pond and a breakfast deck.

In its short life, the garden has been a source of many fruits and vegetables including tomato, passionfruit, corn, various herbs, lettuce, beetroot and beans to name a few.

The maintenance is enjoyable and is helped out by a local Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii). She has decided she likes helping to control caterpillars and grasshoppers. It is a great deal, as we get chemical-free pest control and in return she takes a few ripe strawberries. A small worm farm is enough to take care of green scraps and to provide a top up of nutrients back to the garden.

The original layout of this garden was grass from fence to fence.  The idea was to create an oasis for the kids to play and the parents to relax. The garden faces west and the need for shade was a must. Aesthetics were equally as important as your eyes are drawn to the garden from inside the home.

The original layout of this garden was grass from fence to fence.  The idea was to create an oasis for the kids to play and the parents to relax. The garden faces west and the need for shade was a must. Aesthetics were equally as important as your eyes are drawn to the garden from inside the home.

We mixed hardy natives with drought tolerant species and have created a garden with an interesting mix of foliage colour and texture. In time these trees will be a place to escape the midday sun.

The children have a Fort with a slide and their own magical butterfly garden. The stepping stones have been poured on site incorporating individual foot and hand prints for both kids.

The parents can entertain or relax while sitting in their African-inspired shade hut during the day or by night. Marine grade stainless steel lights are positioned to provide subtle lighting.

“After our first meeting with Ben, we had total confidence that our ideas and wishlist for the garden would become a reality. Throughout the whole process, from planning to completion, Ben was patient, professional and committed to the task. Work was carried out on time and on budget and his attention to detail was unfailing. The finished product is a testament to Ben’s talent of being able to listen to what’s desired and then go on to create a living masterpiece.”

— Rob and Leigh, Wakerley

Yards were assigned the project to improve this existing courtyard in Hawthorne. With its established plant screen in place, we created a functional paved area without the harshness of solid paving. An addition of some drought tolerant plants as well as some vibrant colour from the Singapore Pink Bougainvillea

Yards were assigned the project to improve this existing courtyard in Hawthorne. With its established plant screen in place, we created a functional paved area without the harshness of solid paving. An addition of some drought tolerant plants as well as some vibrant colour from the Singapore Pink Bougainvillea was a sure way to enhance this courtyards original character. We also incorporated compost and water retention materials to improve the existing soil conditions. Finally a new layer of mulch was installed to retain the soil moisture.

This large block is located at Wynnum overlooking the beautiful Moreton Bay. The garden is being developed in stages and the initial concept was to provide a usable space that complements the residence. We have used trees for shade and privacy as well as including some large feature pots to highlight specific plants.

This large block is located at Wynnum overlooking the beautiful Moreton Bay. The garden is being developed in stages and the initial concept was to provide a usable space that complements the residence. We have used trees for shade and privacy as well as including some large feature pots to highlight specific plants.

“It is refreshing to find people who are passionate about their craft. Yards came with not only great ideas, but completed the job to a higher standard than expected and followed up after the work was finished — unheard of in the business world today.”

— Rosalind Shaw, Wynnum

This house was built in the 1960’s and borders one of Sydneys National Parks which is part of the Lane Cove River system. When the owners bought this house in 1996 it boasted a weed infested, unusable sloping backyard. They were in need of a major transformation to capture the existing beauty of the natural bush setting.

This house was built in the 1960’s and borders one of Sydneys National Parks which is part of the Lane Cove River system. When the owners bought this house in 1996 it boasted a weed infested, unusable sloping backyard. They were in need of a major transformation to capture the existing beauty of the natural bush setting.

The garden was established in 1998 and this has been developed further to create a garden that is low maintenance and a great entertainer. The set out was extremely important as the garden is viewed from the large deck above. We have included meandering tracks through the Grevillea, Banksia and Syzygiums. There is a 10 person spa beneath the leafy canopy of the Archontophoenix, Strelitzia nicolai and Angophora costata. Other plants used in this garden include Isolepis nodosa, Correa alba, Randia fitzalani, Ghania, Asplenium, Lomandra confertifolia, Hoya and Alpinia.

Many recycled materials have been used to create this urban sanctuary, Including old house bricks for garden edging, and old sandstone house foundations for small retaining walls.

The garden is home to so many regular visitors including possums, water monitors, bearded dragons, butterflies, nectar eating birds, kookaburras, and king parrots.

The owners have watched this garden develop from the initial set out through to what it is today. This is our oldest garden to date and it has been great to see it flourish and continue to provide its original key objective.

“A garden created by somebody with vision as well as passion ! A garden that just gets better with age!”

— Martin and Kenna, East Ryde

This modern garden has been created to compliment the highly detailed and newly renovated home in St Lucia. This small and steep block incorporates many elements. The lawn area has been split into two levels, edged by Australian stone, which gives the illusion of a greater space, while giving depth and interest

This modern garden has been created to compliment the highly detailed and newly renovated home in St Lucia. This small and steep block incorporates many elements. The lawn area has been split into two levels, edged by Australian stone, which gives the illusion of a greater space, while giving depth and interest to the front entrance. The stone brings together the strength and character of old while contrasting the new.

The main objective of the design was to merge the living space and gardens together to create a unique, relaxing entertaining area.  A vertical rock wall has been restructured and transformed into a colourful lush plant wall, which holds over 300 bromeliads and is the perfect home to frogs and other native fauna.

To maximise the outside living space, we have strategically designed lighting to bring the garden to life of an evening, the perfect place to entertain and unwind. By using the latest and innovative technology in garden lighting, power consumption is kept to a minimum.

With an awareness of current environmental factors in mind, the upper garden is home to a ‘waterless’ water feature. It is the focal point of this garden and has been created using both Tillandsia and Dichondra Silver Falls to create the illusion of water.

This parterre-style garden, designed by Phillip O’Malley was constructed and brought to life by the Yards team. This garden is viewed from above and is made up of layers, adding depth of field to a small space.

The planting scheme is made up of mostly white flowering plants, including Hibiscus ‘Swan Lake’, Magnolia ‘Little Gem’, and Stephanotis floribunda.

This parterre-style garden, designed by Phillip O’Malley was constructed and brought to life by the Yards team. This garden is viewed from above and is made up of layers, adding depth of field to a small space. The planting scheme is made up of mostly white flowering plants, including Hibiscus ‘Swan Lake’, Magnolia ‘Little Gem’, and Stephanotis floribunda.

Australian natural stone surrounding the pond, assists in creating a timeless garden. This central pond is the focal point in the garden.

“We are 100% happy with the work Yards carried out and would highly recommend Ben French and his team to anyone. It was a pleasure to have such enthusiastic, hard workers with great attention to detail, in every aspect of the project, bring our garden to life.”

— Ailsa and Philip Smith, Gordon Park