This seaside garden has a spectacular and very special view that is a key borrowed feature and focal point in the layout of the house and garden - the views look directly through the monument at the Chinese Cemetery at Harling Point. I’m not sure what its properly called, but I’ve named it ‘the Gates to Heaven’.

This is one of the windiest spots in Victoria - the front seaward-facing garden had to be designed to withstand gale-force, desiccating winds, salt spray, and full sun. To add insult to injury in terms of limiting planting choices, the urban deer in this neighbourhood are prolific and problematic, and the front garden is unfenced.

The wind has been turned into an attribute through the use of Mexican Feather Grass, a short attractive grass, if grown tough, that ripples and undulates with the wind when planted en masse. We started with a couple of blocks of it and the clients loved the effect so much that we have now woven it through the entire front yard planting. The wind has been transformed into a visual element of the garden.

The main living areas of the house are raised slightly to elevate views above the road (and frequently parked cars roadside), and plantings in the main view corridors have been intentionally kept low and free of large shrubs and trees so as to not obstruct views.

The boulevard planting is built on what was formerly a car park. It is classic ‘hellstrip’ - heavily compacted, super sharp drainage, full sun, no irrigation, wind, deer. An excellent example of working with, instead of against, the site existing site conditions.