Building a New House or Commercial Development? When is the right time to start preparing the landscape plan for a new building project?  The answer is as soon as possible, preferably before the architectural drawings are submitted for the Development Application.

All projects have to work to a budget and most have space limitations. Including planning for the landscape works early on, allows the client to make informed decisions right from the beginning. The cost of landscaping includes basic items such as earthworks to adjust levels and drainage, retaining walls and steps, fencing, driveway, entry path and utility areas.  All this has to be accounted for prior to even starting on any landscape construction over and above the most essential. Soil preparation, edging, turf, plants, decks, paving, feature screens, pots and lighting follow on from there.

The addition of a pool in particular demands early planning. Space constraints, new pool fence regulations, BASIX requirements, cost efficiency during building construction, all need to be sorted out early on to avoid major compromises and extra costs.

Often, structural works required for the landscaping, such as walls, concrete works and paving, can be included in the builder’s contract. This make a project run more efficiently and there are no surprises later on. The cost of landscaping can also be included into mortgage applications right from the start.

Good planning is essential to give the client control over the whole project, reduces stress and outcomes are of a higher quality.

 

My latest quarterly column in the Journal of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers…

Plant Profile – Tropical

Thalia dealbata is a beautiful feature plant for ponds, large water pots and any wet spots in a garden. It creates a lush tropical feel, looking it’s best during summer and autumn. It seems to adapt it’s size to the location, one of my plants is in full sun in a pond. It looks spectacular, is about 2m tall and 3m wide in full flower. The other plant is in a smaller water feature and receives sun for only part of the day. It never grows taller than 1.2 m, flowers less but still looks great.

Thalia is a clumping bog plant with reedy stems and canna like leaves. These are initially covered in a bluish hue, turning bright green, the stems of the leaves and flowers are dark purple. Branched panicles of small violet blue flowers are held on long, slender stems well above the height of the leaves which can be up to 2m high. The effect is somewhat like that of a mobile dancing in the wind.

Originating from the south eastern states of America, it can become invasive, so I would not recommend to plant it in very large ponds and definitively not in dams.

Good textural contrast can be achieved planting Thalia with wetland plants such as Baloskion tetraphyllus or next to a large clump Miscanthus Sarabande. The latter also provides great movement in the wind.

Maintenance is minimal, a cut back of unsightly leaves at the beginning of spring is all that’s required. In colder areas the stems will die down completely and re-shoot in spring.

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