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Welcome to another exciting post from Perth Landscapes, the company where “The Art of Landscaping is Perfected in Perth.” Today, we delve into a topic that holds paramount importance for every aspiring green thumb and garden aficionado in our beautiful city: What are the best plants for landscaping in Perth’s climate? The Climate Factor Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room—Perth’s unique climate. Our Mediterranean climate can be both a blessing and a challenge. Hot, dry summers and wet, mild winters mean we have to be clever with our plant choices. A garden designed by Perth Landscapes doesn’t just look stunning; it thrives in our local environment. After all, we’ve been honing our craft since 2011, when multi-award-winning landscape designer Alex Cameron founded this company. Tried-and-True Plants for Perth We recommend native species like Kangaroo Paw, Bottlebrush, and Grevillea. These are not just beautiful but also hardy and well-adapted to our climate. Succulents like Agave and Aloe Vera also flourish here, requiring minimal water. If you’re looking for something luscious and green, consider opting for Zoysia or Buffalo grass for your lawn. Read more…

Hello again, garden and landscape enthusiasts! Welcome back to Perth Landscapes, where “The Art of Landscaping is Perfected in Perth.” Today, we tackle a topic that might not be the first thing on your mind when you think of landscaping, but it’s essential—landscaping a childcare centre. The Importance of Outdoor Space Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why outdoor spaces are crucial for childcare centres. Research shows that exposure to nature and outdoor play has multiple benefits for children, including improved cognitive function, enhanced creativity, and better mental well-being. Now, what parent wouldn’t want that for their child? Safety First When it comes to children, safety is the top priority. Plants with thorns, fruits, or poisonous substances are a no-go. We also carefully consider pathways, fencing, and overhead structures to ensure they are child-friendly and secure. Peter Harrison, a satisfied client, pointed out our attention to safety and detail: “Alex recently designed/landscaped my front and rear yards, including retaining walls, fence, paving, reticulation and native trees/plants. The yard was in a terrible state (sand pit!) but we wanted to maintain a similar structure with a low-maintenance outcome. Alex managed this exactly to our expectations.” Read more…

For every landscape design we are asked to create, there will be two main attributes that we have to focus on. The first is practical, whereby we have to ensure that the finished design is functional, fits within the confines of the garden, and allows our clients to enjoy and maintain their garden. The second is to make the garden look as stunning as possible so that it could easily be described as picture-perfect. Each client might have their views on which of these two, practical or aesthetic, is more important, but for most landscape designers, the latter is what excites us just that little bit more, and, if truth be told, we are complimented more by clients based on how their gardens look than how well they function. Making a garden functional is a skill and a task we take very seriously. However, what we create visually is what most people seeing our landscape designs will comment on and often take photographs of. So, we thought it would be useful if we gave some insight into some of the principles we adhere to when trying to create a landscape design that is so visually stunning that it is good enough to be photographed and showcased in a gardening magazine. Read more…

There are many matters regarding your garden that landscapers can advise and guide you on, from the initial meeting you have with them through the design and planning stages, the construction, all the way through to your completed landscaped garden. However, even after that point, your landscapers can be of invaluable assistance to you, specifically concerning your garden’s care and maintenance. Like anything worth having, it takes some effort if you want your garden to thrive and look as great months and years from now as it did the day it was completed. One specific within garden care and maintenance is preventing bugs and pests, given the harm and damage they can inflict on many of the plants that grow in your garden. With that in mind, here are ten awesome tips for deterring garden pests and bugs. Remove Standing Water: Standing water can be a breeding place for some bugs, such as mosquitoes, and even if not breeding, lots of bugs will be attracted to it. For these reasons, you should ensure any standing water in your garden is removed, such as rain-filled buckets and clogged drains. Add Bird Feeders: What better way to dispel bugs than to invite those animals that regard them as food into your garden? As birds eat many bugs and insects, hanging bird feeders in your garden makes sense to attract them. However, there is a caveat… Read more…

A landscape design that excludes grass is only not easy to maintain, but it is also not heavy on your wallet. Imagine how much you can save on your water bills, pesticides, fertilisers, and other equipment that is required to keep the grass in ideal shape. Everyone desires to have a garden that is well maintained and trimmed, but often they end up having the grass turning yellow and pale, giving their garden a horrible look. Keeping the grass perfectly green is not easy and requires extensive effort and time. If you don’t have the energy and are looking for a convenient alternative, a landscape design with no grass at all can be achieved. The easiest thing you can do to replace grass is to invest in a lot of pots and planters and convert your outdoor space into a container garden. All you need to buy is a few tools like a spade or a watering can. The choices of plants you can place in the containers are endless. Try different colourful and unique shaped planters to give your garden a unique look. Read more…

In 2019, Australia recorded its hottest day, with a national average of 40.9 degrees-Celsius. If that isn’t enough to make you want to add a swimming pool to your landscape design, then nothing will! However, while you are still in the drawing board phase, it helps to make sure you do as much research as possible. The more you think about your wants and needs, the happier you can be once the swimming pool is installed. Talk to your local landscaping expert, and consider the following. The Size The average family-size pool varies from between three and four metres wide to five to seven metres long. However, that doesn’t mean your pool has to be that large or small. Let your current landscaping design and backyard size dictate the size of the pool you want and need. Plunge pools, family pools, and lap pools can all be excellent options for the average Australian backyard. The hardest part is deciding which option works for you the best. Read more…

If you have decided to start working on your backyard’s landscaping, then you may have pondered what focal points to add. You could go down the road of spa pools and swimming pools, or you could even incorporate an outdoor fire or seating area. But have you ever thought about what water features could do for your backyard? Aside from being beautiful to look at, water features may have more to offer than you might think. Read on to find out some of the surprising benefits they have. They Attract Wildlife If you’re a nature lover, then you are probably always trying to think of ways to welcome wildlife into your backyard. You may even put bird feeders out, or use wildlife-safe netting around your perimeter. But if you add a water feature into your landscaping, then you are taking it one step further. Fresh, clean water is a necessity for life – not just for humans, but animals, too. By providing such a source, you will surely welcome birds, reptiles, and more. If you add a water bath, you can also help birds with the task of removing dust and loose feathers from their bodies. Read more…

Lock and leave landscaping ideas are becoming popular by the day, especially as the likes of Airbnb become a way in which to make extra income. Rather than rent out your investment property on a full-time basis, you can book a few nights at a time and make the same money, if not more. However, if there’s one negative point about such a setup, it’s that you have to take care of the gardening. Read on to learn a few new landscaping tips that can take all the hard work out of owning a lock and leave property. Potted Plants Having greenery can be a way in which to give your lock and leave property a much-needed boost. However, when you have your own gardens to tend to, there isn’t a lot of time left over for the maintenance of a second property. That’s where potted plants come in. Your Airbnb property, or family bach, can still benefit from greenery, but in a way that’s contained and easy-care. Read more…

Climates vary dramatically across Australia, which makes landscaping quite a customised task. What suits one part of the country may not be suitable for others. However, in summer, the average temperature country-wide is 26 degrees, which means that there’s every reason to believe your plants can suffer. If you’re determined to keep your favourite plants alive this summer, then read on. The following information might help you achieve just that. Stop Pruning It can be tempting to get out in the sunshine and give your plants a much-needed haircut. Instead, leave that task until autumn. Otherwise, you may find yourself with some plants that are struggling to survive. When you prune plants, you are stimulating new growth. That new growth may not be able to survive the intense heat that accompanies Australian summers. Choose Your Plant Pots Carefully Most of us choose plant pots that match our landscaping design and that we like the most. While you can still do that, it pays to think about what will be best for your plants in hot summer conditions. For example, plastic pots and dark pots will heat up faster in the sun and cause the soil to dry out. Read more…

If you have been thinking about working on your home’s landscaping, then you’ve probably been pondering over the best plants to add. You may have even considered outdoor furniture, lighting, and a sprawling deck. But what about a spa pool? A spa pool can have some surprising benefits that you may not have considered. Read on to find out what those are. Somewhere to Relax If you’ve had a hard day at work, then coming home and spending time in your spa pool may be able to help. You can hop in for a peaceful sit-down on your own or with your loved ones. What’s more, if your blood pressure or circulation is affected due to stress, then a spa pool may be able to assist with both. Somewhere to Entertain You don’t need a reason to invite your friends and family over, but it helps if you’ve got a drawcard. Let it be a spa pool. There are few things as exciting as being able to invite friends over on the weekend for dinner, only to end the night on a high with a few laughs in the spa pool. Start thinking about where you’re going to put yours today. Read more…