Nestled next to the Brisbane River, this tropical garden is a hidden treasure
Story: Karen Booth

Photos: Glenn Weiss

On the outskirts of Brisbane in the delightfully named suburb of Fig Tree Pockets sits a secret garden. Backing on to the Brisbane River, the garden is a flourishing fusion of exotics and natives combined in a planting theme that is largely tropical with just a hint of Bali.

“We were approached by the owners of this property to put improvements in place as well as implement a garden maintenance program,” says Natalie Watts of Branat Designs. “The maintenance is done every month due to the size of the property and because the owners spend 90 per cent of their time in Hong Kong so needed someone to care for their garden during their long absences.”

Although the riverside property is a mere 10 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, it feels far removed from the bustle of modern city life thanks to the concealing painted and rendered block front wall and the abundant planting.

“Two magnificent conical-shaped Norfolk Island pines on the eastern side of the front garden add privacy. Although not indigenous to Australia they thrive here and are extremely useful because of their wind tolerance and ability to adapt to extremely sandy soils. Dotted in between them are the wonderful long stems of the black bamboo with their shiny brown/black culms,” says Natalie.

“To add interest to the front garden there is a slightly mounded sandstone crazy-paved pathway, which is surrounded by Cycas revoluta, Liriope sp., Cordyline ‘Rubra’, clumps of dwarf mondo grass, the wonderful blue/purple flowers of French lavender and pockets of variegated star jasmine with its vibrant maroon and cream blooms.”

Even the disused water feature has been given over to the plant life. “We recently redesigned it to be a large planter area with Furcreas sp. and Liriope muscari ‘Evergreen Giant’,” says Natalie.

To personalise the garden, the owners have incorporated various decorative pieces sourced in Hong Kong and Bali, adding to the tropical, Asian-influenced feel of the garden. Explains Natalie: “Large limestone pots in the front garden contain a wonderful mix of various bougainvillea and there is an array of various heavy limestone wall plaques adding interest to what were once blank rendered walls. Also of interest are the brass garden lights dotted about the garden, which the owners brought with them from Hong Kong.”

In deference to Queensland’s ongoing drought, hardy Sir Walter turf was recently laid in the front garden. With regular maintenance both lawn and garden beds are doing well, providing the owners with a warm welcome during their return visits to Brisbane.