Re-vegetation is an effort dedicated to replenishing the native flora of an area using indigenous plants and native rocks for landscaping. Learning about this lovely movement afoot makes all sorts of sense when you realise that designing with the naturally occurring plants of an area accomplishes several things for owners.

As natural inhabitants, these indigenous plants have adapted to the climate, are more resistant to weed invasion, will not require as much attention as a non-inhabitants and its appearance complement the area in keeping with the original “design.”

How can we resist to this exciting and worthwhile effort to restore the natural charm in areas across the country? Thus the name of a series of blogs: “Going Native” is our way of declaring our participation.  We’re in!

Engaging a Process

We’ll be looking at various landscaping elements as they occur, or have developed, in three areas: Perth, Alice Springs, and Sydney—thinking (hoping) we’ll see an obvious difference among them that clues “Native” design.

In this and the five articles that follow, we’ll explore a sample of native rocks, grasses, shrubs or trees, vines and plants in each of these city-areas to discover how they contrast in their appearance and how they reflect their habitat.

In the sixth article, each city will be featured with a design intention that native materials will inspire and hopefully identifies the area is expressed in the response. All to promote re-vegetation.  Pretty exciting stuff!

Perth

Situated on the shore, facing the Indian Ocean, the Perth Basin is set in limestone above a multi-layered composite that dates back to the Jurassic.  Limestone can be used to advantage in Perth if you have a healthy budget.  Otherwise, since the area’s top layer itself is more sand than soil, there’s another possibility that suggests a solution.

Making use of this native material could prove to be a gift to owners who have struggled and failed to grow a lawn in this difficult environment and may appreciate its use.  Thinking also about the possibility of it becoming a major design element that inspires a unique garden treatment.

Alice Springs

In the desert climate, Mr. Chiot complains bitterly about having to dig out enormous amounts of rocks, from gravel to stones, every time he wants to start a garden.  Lucky man!  He has a fortune in design materials to work with and, if his experience is any sign of anticipation, hopefully you’ll have the same run of luck. He finally found a use for some of those native rocks for landscaping. Here’s his solution. Almost looks like a row of shoes and boots from this perspective, yes? Finding a natural feature already present in a design site would be more than satisfying, don’t you agree? Now we’re thinking “green.”

Sydney

Sydney’s boasts a variety in native rocks for landscaping.  You already know who has what on the nursery tour, and already begin to think of numerous ways to use these gems as leading elements or features in a natural setting—so appropriate in a city that welcomes dramatic design.

Are you interested in recreating the natural charm of your place? Don’t hesitate to share this post to your friends and family and join us in our cause in using indigenous landscape assets to revamp areas all across the country.