Quality construction was paramount to the success of this prestigious project, so the task of turning Hugh Gilmour and Associate’s plans into reality fell to Melbourne landscape company Exquisite Gardens Australia. The result of this Balwyn garden was so impressive Exquisite Gardens won the Residential Landscape of the Year award in the Landscape industries Association of Victoria Awards of Excellence.

This Melbourne garden design called for a formal structure, strong floral displays, water features, ornaments and the creation of separate garden rooms. It also called for a lap pool. Stretching the width of the rear fence, the pool can be seen through the loggias from the back of the two-storey residence.

Plants are used to create the formal structure of the garden. This includes hedge planting to screen and enclose the rear garden, border hedging, standards and topiaries. Espalier plants soften the house and boundary walls.

Such a prestige project demanded only the highest-quality pavers, and Anston was the supplier of choice. Anston pavers are made by combining different types of sand to develop incredibly rich warm colours not possible with pigment coloured pavers. The manufacturing process also creates subtle changes between pavers adding to the natural effect. And as they age, they will develop an attractive patina that will complement the timelessness of the landscaping design.

Photography by Andrew Lecky