Ainslie Downsizer- Small Space gardening

In 2020 we moved from the Blue house (934m sq) to a 425m sq Hoddle Gardens to a duplex development designed by Gina Carmody from CarmodybyDesign and built by Gumley Buillding. Landscaping, some plant supply and irrigation was by TE landscapes. I sourced most of the plants, finding new small space varieties to suit the narrow block.

This was our home and one of my sons and his family lived next door. We designed the houses and garden to enjoy intergenerational living. The new block gave some challenges, with an East/West aspect, compacted clay soil (like modelling clay), extensive easements and small size. We agreed a layout that complemented the contemporary house designs and accommodated our very different appetites for garden maintenance and plant diversity on our 425m sq individual blocks.

One of the things you can't achieve quickly is growth, particularly in the tree canopy. So we invested 9 large trees, 7 grafted Japanese maples, instant turf, the same driveway surface and a single design for the interior Japanese courtyard. These give both gardens a cohesive feel and an immediate feel of a mature garden. The soil is still a work in progress and with the help of the Bellchambers Fyshwick team and their great products, it's gradually improving.

Jack's contemporary, minimalist garden gives his young family space to play and enjoy without high maintenance. He has a narrow wildflower garden that provides colour and flowers at toddler height, a berry bed and lush lawn.

This garden is filled with new narrow growing plant varieties, espaliers and climbers that mimic wider hedges, vertical gardens and perennials, roses and vegetables in raised corten circular gardens of varying height.
Hours of careful research went into selecting products (pool, furniture, garden walls) and plant varieties that visually expand the space and cope with the challenges of the site. This dense planting provides cut flowers year round, great bee and butterfly food, spots for some leafy greens and snow peas for the kids to enjoy picking.

The last few photos show the size of the mature trees on delivery to site and the terrible soil, that's still a work in progress.

These gardens show living on smaller blocks doesn't mean giving up a tree canopy or your favourite plants. It's just a matter of finding the right plants to suit your space. There is something for everyone's tastes with so many new plant varieties designed for narrow blocks.