I call it a rock garden!  Bedrock lies about 10 cms under the surface or under the road base, clay and granitic sand on which the house sits providing the ultimate gardening challenge!

The objective is to make a garden that is low maintenance, environmentally friendly and water-wise, all on a small budget.  Steep slopes are planted with native shrubs set into excavated pockets to provide ground stability and shelter for birds and blue tongues.

Olive trees provide structure and shelter from sun and wind are under planted with leucophyta brownii (cushion bush), native grasses, prostrate casuarina, rosemary and salt bush. Ornamental oregano and geranium Roxanne, sedum, lychnis (rose campion), salvias, and penstemon provide colour.  Ornamental grape vines grown on wires provide summer shade for the house and autumn brilliance.

The lower level has a clump of silver princess underplanted with coreas, grevilleas and other natives and provides cooler shady relief in summer.  A small courtyard on the southern side offers a sheltered shady spot for summer dining, grevilleas, callistemons and hakeas sustain honey eaters and other small birds.

This garden is very much a work in progress and hopefully will provide encouragement to those dealing with new gardens and challenging conditions.