Australia’s splendid coastline means there is not any lack of people wanting to establish their perfect home and garden with a view. The natural coastline is rocky and windswept, with a colour palette that is definite. It is rarely green and lush — more frequently a complicated but complementary combination of foliage colours, including grays and blues with greens that are dusty as well as the warmer hues of the planet, set against the backdrop of the Pacific.

Construction materials like divide stones for walls and flooring add texture and colour variation to mimic the rocky landscape. Weathered hardwood for pergola structures, decks and fencing details reinforce the sense of location and the existence of driftwood. Furniture can be easily incorporated with earthy fabrics and wood that is allowed to weather, requiring minimal maintenance. Features or sculptures in metal finishes, particularly the rusted appeal of Cor-Ten steel, complete the look. Normally, the more weather beaten, the better.

Fine-leaved plants like Westringia fruticosa and Banksia spinulosa, or decorative grasses like Lomandra tanika and Dianella caerulea ‘Little Jess’ will mix well with tough succulent-like ground covers for example Senecio serpens and Carpobrotus glaucescens. For trees, it is hard to conquer Banksia integrifolia, but olive trees would be an excellent substitute, giving their silvery hue to the garden.

This combination of dusty-colored plants mixed with succulents creates a look that is very tender, coastal and contemporary.

Weathered stone and concrete combined with wood is an excellent basic palette for a coastal look.

Debora carl landscape layout

Ornamental grasses like Lomandra ‘Tanika’ provide drama in a garden when they sway in the wind.

Urban Nature / Troy Silva Design Group

Senecio serpens adds a great colour tone into a green garden. The contours of this plant add interest to a garden area.

Colors Of Green Landscape Architecture

Texture is obviously significant, so try contrasting gravels with natural stone floors and after that advantage it with Senecio.

Colors Of Green Landscape Architecture

The backdrop of weathered wood fencing for coastal plantings builds a dramatic coastal feel.

Randy Thueme Design Inc. – Landscape Architecture

Olive trees frame the entrance to this home. They’re a hardy tree capable to handle most conditions, and also the glaucous and gray tones add contrast to plants.

Stone feature partitions are striking at a barren location and assist set off fresh plantings.

The mixture of earthy materials and resilient plants gives an intriguing entrance to this home.

Silver foliage — if in an olive tree, a soil cover or even a grass — is a vital addition in any coastal garden.

6 Stunning Silver-Leaf Plants

A great Australian native, Banksia can add colour to a coastal garden, supplying warm summer hues and flowers all year around.

Trailing succulents are a excellent way to soften the edges of structures and paved areas. Mulch about them with gravel for extra effect.

The texture of blossoms is a significant contrast against other plant foliage.

Not just do fine-leaved plants withstand heavy aquatic winds, but they seem great when mass planted next to other fine-leaved plants.

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

Plants may be aranged to give a dry-creekbed look, highlighting arid coastal problems.

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