TCL garden, Tusmore, SA

A family home nestled among hero trees.

TCL garden, Tusmore, South Australia. Picture: Grant Hancock

River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is one of our iconic species. The mature trees are magnificent and can live for 1000 years. So when they’re the feature of a vacant block of land, along with other significant trees, the task of designing a new house and garden becomes a much more thoughtful exercise.

This generous 2500sqm block at Tusmore, in Adelaide’s inner east, was subdivided from a grand residence on acreage and contained heritage river red gums, Canary Island date palms and a huge Moreton Bay fig. A degraded watercourse running down one side was also part of the picture.

Owner Mark Jones, who designs contemporary furniture, bought the property in 2009 with his wife Emily, recognising the opportunity to create a family home in a natural setting for their three school-age girls.

TCL garden, Tusmore, South Australia. Picture: Grant Hancock

Renowned landscape architects TCL (Taylor Cullity Lethlean) worked with architects Grieve Gillett Andersen to site the house at the rear of the block, away from the trees. “We had to ensure the health and longevity of the trees and to give them the space their grandeur demands,” says TCL director Kate Cullity. The aim, she explains, was for the unimposing house of naturally greying timber to “sit quietly in the landscape, not upon it”.

As a result, the front garden is sizeable. From the front gate of laser-cut rusted steel – designed by Cullity as a limited edition artwork inspired by microscopic images of plant cells – a series of staggered floating platforms step down from the street, flanked by Fatsia japonica, liriope, Nandina domestica and Cotoneaster dammeri. These look lush yet are tolerant of shade and dry conditions, as are Philodendron ‘Xanadu’, cycads and clivias that weave around sinuous gravel paths between the trees. “It’s about layering different textures and hues of green, rather than flowers,” Cullity explains. In front of the house she added an informal copse of crepe myrtles. “I like planting in copses,” she says. “There’s something beautiful and timeless about the multiple trunks and the way the house sits within them.”

Cars and pedestrians have separate entrances to ensure a safe family environment – something Cullity is keen on. The porous driveway, on a suspended slab to protect the trees, is divided from the garden by a semi-open fence of blackbutt segments that allows views through to the garden.

TCL garden, Tusmore, South Australia. Picture: Grant Hancock

Along the north side, the steep grades of the old water channel were lined with boulders to soften them and form a safe play space. Local indigenous plants were chosen to regenerate the creek banks; these transition to natives, then mix with exotics in a Mediterranean palette.

Around the pool, the slatted timber pool fence and timber decking blend harmoniously, while a platform next to a huge date palm offers views over the creek. A courtyard on the south side contains a contemplative, shady garden. Surprisingly for a property this size, there is no lawn. “Mark is a very practical man and didn’t want to be mowing,” says Cullity.

Since its completion in 2015, the garden has matured beautifully. Last week it was recognised in the 2019 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture Awards for South Australia and will proceed to the national awards.

Q&A

Our 3m-tall, rangy milkwood has had many Monarch butterflies and their chrysalides. When and how much should we prune it to ensure good growth and more butterflies? Debbie Terrett, Kadina, SA

Milkweed or swan plant (Asclepias) is the preferred food of non-native Monarch butterfly caterpillars but can be weedy, spreading by seed and suckers. It’s also toxic to most animals. Prune regularly to keep bushy and remove the balloon-like seed pods before they ripen. If hard pruning is needed, cut back half the stems heavily this spring and the rest once recovery growth is coming through strongly.

How old does chook manure have to be before it’s safe to use? Can I use it on everything? Colleen Crews, Guilderton, WA

Fresh poultry manure is strong and can burn young plants; the strong ammonia smell warns of this. Hot composting with other ingredients will kill harmful pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. Leaving chook poo to age on its own can take six to 12 months. It tends to be alkaline and high in phosphorus, so take care using it on acid-loving plants and phosphorus-sensitive natives.

My waratah has borers. How do I deter them? Helen Littman, Sydney

Borers successfully attack trees and shrubs only if they are already weakened from other causes such as old age or poor growing conditions. Healthy plants use natural defences to resist attacks. You can cut out affected branches, or use a wire to stab grubs inside holes but attacks will continue unless the plant’s health improves. Otherwise consider planting a new one.

Organic Gardner, 18-month subscription, worth $96

Send your questions to: [e-mail] or Helen Young, PO Box 3098, Willoughby North, NSW 2068. Website: helenyoung.com.au. The best question for August wins an 18-month subscription worth $96 to Organic Gardener magazine, celebrating its 20-year anniversary. July’s winner is Barry Powell of Coffs Harbour for his question about snail bait.