Castle Hill — Modern Front Garden Transformation
Location: Castle Hill, Sydney | Services: Landscape Design, Softscaping, Plant Installation, Hedge Trimming, Soil Testing
Before
Original strelitzia and gymea lily in the raised entry beds
A lump of Heavy clay unearthed during excavation — no machinery could access the site
Before — the viburnum hedge completely concealing the house from the street
The Brief
A striking modern two-storey home with a grey granite and white brick facade had a front garden that hadn't kept pace with the house. Large Bird of Paradise, Gymea Lilies, and overgrown grasses had taken over the raised garden beds, while a viburnum hedge running the length of the boundary had grown tall enough to completely obscure the home from the street.
The brief: clear everything out, bring the hedge under control, and design a garden that was considered, low-maintenance, and suited to the home's modern aesthetic.
What We Did
Soil Testing First
Before finalising the design, soil testing was carried out on site. The client had initially expressed interest in Xanthorrhoea (grass trees) — striking specimens, but expensive and temperamental in the wrong conditions. Soil testing confirmed the area sits on Wianamatta Shale, producing heavy clay subsoil with poor drainage. Grass trees would not have thrived. The design was adjusted accordingly, with every plant selected for its ability to perform in heavy clay.
Clearing — All By Hand
Everything in the existing beds came out entirely by hand — no machinery could access the site. The raised retaining walls meant every root ball had to be dug out manually. The gymea lily corms were large and deeply embedded.
Soil Replacement
With the clay subsoil exposed and volume lost from removing the large root systems, a premium raised bed soil blend was brought in by tipper truck. A tarp was laid across the driveway before delivery to protect the surface. The new soil mix was chosen to improve drainage in clay conditions and give the incoming plants the best possible start.
Hedge Trimming
The viburnum hedge received a 30% height reduction — a significant prune that needs to be done carefully to avoid permanent damage to the hedge structure. The result is a hedge that now frames the property rather than hiding it, with a clean horizontal line that suits the architecture.
During works — cleared clay beds, team on site
Premium soil blend delivered by tipper onto protective tarp
Planting — A Soft, Pendulous Palette for Heavy Clay
The palette was designed around a silver, green, and burgundy colour scheme — chosen to complement the grey granite and white brick facade. Every plant was selected for clay tolerance and low maintenance. Black mulch was used throughout, creating high contrast against the silver and green foliage.
Acer Dissecta Inaba Shidare (Japanese Maple) — hero specimen, pendulous burgundy habit that anchors the entry and thrives in heavy clay
Magnolia Little Gem — upright, evergreen, dark glossy foliage with creamy white flowers
Cycas Revoluta (Sago Palm) — bold architectural rosette for structure and contrast
Stachys Lanata (Lamb's Ear) — soft silver-grey groundcover tying the palette together
Rhaphiolepis Snow Maiden (Indian Hawthorn) — compact rounded shrub, tough, low maintenance, clay tolerant
Alternanthera Little Ruby — deep burgundy groundcover echoing the maple's foliage
Correa Alba (White Correa) — fine-leaved Australian native, drought tolerant once established
Entry — installation day
The Result — Six Months On
These photos were taken in October 2025, six months after installation. The Japanese Maple has swept out into a wide, pendulous canopy — its deep burgundy foliage sitting against the grey granite exactly as intended. The Lamb's Ear has spread into full silvery mounds beneath it, and the Indian Hawthorn has rounded out and come into flower.
October 2025 — the Japanese Maple sweeping out into a wide, pendulous canopy against the granite facade
"Very professional, extremely hard workers, property was clean at end of each days work. Very happy with the garden design and openness to making sure I was happy with everything. Love my new garden!"
— Tom, Castle Hill ★★★★★ (Google Review)
October 2025 — Lamb's Ear, Indian Hawthorn, and Sago Palms fully established
