Undulating waves and billowing clouds: how’s this for texture?

This tranquil garden on Sydney’s north shore is the result of a 17-year collaboration between the owners and garden designer.

Harmony: the Northbridge garden. Pictures: Jason Busch

The battleaxe block slopes steeply down towards Sailor’s Bay and the foreshore reserve, giving the garden an outlook to water and bush on three sides. “We have the advantage of a lot of borrowed space,” says Natalie Yamey of her tranquil garden at Northbridge on Sydney’s north shore.

Natalie and her husband Colin bought the 1500sqm property 20 years ago. “When we first saw it I was completely drawn to the setting – it’s magical,” she says. The existing garden, however, was “very boring”, consisting of grass and one row of agapanthus, with a lovely Japanese maple and some straight hedges of Japanese box and sasanqua camellias that were worth keeping.

Hedges clipped into undulating lines

The Yameys engaged Hugh Main of Spirit Level to design a garden to fit the setting and, 17 years later, his company still helps Natalie maintain it. Main’s vision was to soften the garden by introducing waves and clouds, and to create a gentler transition to the surrounding bush. The straight-edged hedges were reshaped into undulating waves that flow down the hill and the sasanquas and Indian hawthorns (Rhaphiolepis) gradually pruned into billowing clouds.

“It changed the atmosphere completely,” says Natalie. “I’m drawn to sculptural forms and texture, so what makes the garden special for me is the juxtaposition of the softness of the waves and clouds with the spikiness of the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) and yuccas (Yucca filimentosa).”

The grass trees, now mature, were planted as young seedling-grown plants that Main always chooses over mature specimens transplanted under licence from the bush. “They look more natural and they don’t die,” he says.

Contrasting textures

Main added layers and textures, using mostly silver, blue and white perennials as Natalie requested, and plants that possums and wallabies don’t destroy. These include French lavender (Lavandula dentata), Salvia leucanthe, society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and Plectranthus ’Mona Lavender’. Mounds of liquorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare), Plectranthus argentatus and a feature olive tree add to the silver foliage.

Taking centre stage on the lawn, against the backdrop of a wall of bush, is the powerful bronze sculpture by Queensland artist Stephen Hart, chosen by the Yameys. “It has such a presence,” Natalie comments.

Brolga statue

More recently, Main returned to design two small areas – a reflecting pond near the front door and an intimate courtyard that features a bronze brolga statue, purple-black elephants ears (Colocasia ‘Black Magic’), walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) and native violet (Viola hederacea). “It’s been a long and treasured relationship with truly lovely clients,” says Main. “Good gardens need time to evolve.”

“There’s a complete sense of harmony that is meditative and calming,” Natalie says. “We adore the garden – it looks good in every season and something is always flowering.” It has hosted two family weddings and numerous significant birthday parties. “People love visiting and we feel very privileged to have such a wondrous space,” she says. “Many weekends we never feel the need to leave.”

Q&A

Our well-established lillypilly hedges are infested with soft, white, pea-size pests. Removing by hand seems tedious and ineffective. Can you help? Rob Gregg, Sydney

White wax scale is common inside mature (and possibly stressed) lillypilly hedges where it’s shady and protected. The thick waxy coating around adult scales protects them from sprays; hand removal with disposable gloves is effective, although tedious. Spraying PestOil or Eco-Oil treats crawlers and nymphs; repeat after two weeks. Pruning to open up the interior of the hedges to light helps. Control ants, and keep the hedges well watered and fertilised.

Colonies of small brown ants invade my pots, laying eggs and affecting my plants’ health. Are there any safe remedies? Don McLeay, Menangle, NSW

Ants like dry and sandy soils; they won’t nest in moist potting mix. Use a soil wetting agent to correct water-repellent potting mix. Try submerging pots in a bucket of water with some insecticidal soap for a few hours. Diatomaceus earth on the soil and around the pots kills ants but is less effective when wet and must not be inhaled. Control scale and aphid pests that ants feed upon.

Why do the buds and flowers of my double pink hibiscus drop in quantity, especially after rain? Richard Blundell, Mission Beach, Qld

Double-flowering hibiscus are prone to bud drop. Excess soil moisture and fluctuating temperatures are triggers. Hibiscus flower beetles burrow into buds, causing them to drop. Collect and destroy fallen flowers. Place white plastic containers with water and some detergent to attract and drown beetles. Hibiscus mealybug could be the culprit – use Eco-neem.

We the Wild: the prize

Send questions to: [e-mail] or Helen Young, PO Box 3098, Willoughby North, NSW 2068. helenyoung.com.au. The best question for May wins two Mother’s Day gift boxes of organic plant care products from We The Wild, worth $100; wethewild.co.