Garden design in Perth has to work with sandy soil, hot dry summers and, on many blocks, very little room. We design gardens around how you use the space, where the sun and shade fall on your block and how much time you want to spend maintaining it. Our full landscape design service runs from the first consultation through to installation. We are a family-owned landscaping business and have served Perth since 2009.
Garden design Perth: what’s included
- A design consultation to talk through how you use the space, what you want to see from the house and what your budget covers.
- Full landscape design, planned for your block, its sun and shade, and the maintenance time you want to spend.
- Plant selection, including a visit to the nursery with you if you want to come along.
- Soil assessment and soil rejuvenation before planting.
- Garden beds, paving and paths, retaining walls, garden seating, water features, decking and decorative screens, built from the one design.
- Turf and reticulation installation and repairs in Perth, included where your garden needs them.
- A written invoice for each stage as it is completed.
How a garden design project works
- Consultation. We visit your home, look at the site and talk through what you want. We stay in touch through each stage so you know where the project is up to.
- Design and plant selection. We work up the design around your brief and budget, then choose plants that suit your site. You are welcome to join us at the nursery to pick them.
- Installation and handover. We build the garden to the design, invoice each completed stage, and leave the site tidy and safe at the end of each working day.
Waterwise and native design for Perth sand
Much of Perth sits on ancient sand dunes. The University of Western Australia notes that Perth soils are mostly sandy and hydrophobic, so water can sit on the surface instead of soaking in. A quality soil wetter helps water reach the roots. Mulch matters just as much: Water Corporation advises a chunky mulch spread about 10 centimetres deep to keep the soil cool and hold moisture.
Native plants suit our conditions. UWA notes that new plantings need some watering while they establish, and after that native plants need very little. The City of Kalamunda’s biodiversity pack lists several options for sunny, free-draining spots, including dwarf sheoak, which grows in sandy and gravelly soils and is drought tolerant once established, red and green kangaroo paw, and pretty honey-myrtle.
Grouping plants with similar water needs, called hydrozoning, lets your sprinkler give each zone the water it needs. Water Corporation says most Perth gardens only need about 10 millimetres of water twice a week in summer to stay healthy, so a well-grouped design avoids over-watering.
Shade needs its own plan. Grass will not grow under shady trees because it needs sun, so UWA suggests other groundcovers there, such as native running postman.
Small gardens and courtyards
On a small block, every path, bed and seat has to earn its space. We plan the routes you walk, the spot where you will sit and the handful of plants that will do the job for years. A small garden with a limited palette of materials and plant groups often looks calmer and is easier to keep in shape, and our garden maintenance Perth service can look after it once it is built.
Frequently asked questions
How much does landscaping cost in Perth?
Cost depends on the size of the garden, the materials, access to the site and how much of the design is built at once. We do not publish a price list, because two gardens of the same size can cost very different amounts. We give a free comprehensive quote, so you can compare it with your plan and budget.
How long does a backyard landscaping job take?
It depends on the scope, the materials and the weather, so we do not quote a standard timeframe here. Call us on 0429 922 446 and we will talk through your project.
Do you do design and construction?
Yes. We offer design consultation and full landscape design, and we build the garden ourselves as part of our residential landscaping in Perth service, from garden beds and turf through to paving, retaining walls in Perth and reticulation.
Can you landscape in winter or in the rain?
Wet weather can slow some work, particularly paving and concrete. Call us and ask how the weather may affect your project.
Do I need a permit for landscaping in WA?
Some structures do. Belmont City Council, for example, requires a building permit for a retaining wall that retains more than 500 mm of ground, supports other building work, or protects adjoining land. Rules vary between councils, so check with your local council before work starts.
Suburbs we serve
Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Mundaring, Midland, Guildford, Bassendean and across the Perth metro area.
Where we work: landscaping Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, Midland, Mundaring and Claremont and the western suburbs.
Read more: native garden design, low-maintenance garden ideas and small backyard ideas.
Ready to plan your garden? Get a free quote or call us on 0429 922 446. We are based at 19 Ravenswood Rd, Maida Vale WA 6057. Our staff are fully insured and police cleared, and we are rated 4.9 stars from 35 Google reviews.