How Landscapers in Melbourne are becoming more Water Sensitive

The contemporary water sensitive garden has become a popular choice in Melbourne in the last few years and many landscapers have quickly picked up on the numerous benefits this method of gardening offers for both the owner and the environment. Many years of harsh drought have prompted the best Melbourne landscapers to look for new ways to conserve water in the garden, creating beautiful outdoor spaces that are self-sustaining and hardy.

The latest designs made by Melbourne landscapers have included storm water tanks and grey water drainage systems as standard features, both of which allow the home owner to care for the garden without wasting precious and expensive drinking water. Reusing water on the garden in this way allows landscapers in Melbourne to use exotic flowering plants that typically demand a very high rate of water consumption.

Developing water sensitive gardening techniques involve a lot of experimentation. Many landscapers in Melbourne are currently trying out designs that mix a traditional cottagey style, using roses and bright annuals, with some more water tolerant plants such as spiky grasses and Australian natives. Some of the best new garden designs also include artistic touches that look beautiful in even the harshest weather, such as mosaic walls, hanging mobiles and stone statues.

Landscapers in Melbourne have recently been turning back to a more natural environment for domestic and public gardens. Natural gardens, using native plants and thickly forested areas, are less expensive to establish and easier to maintain than traditional formal gardens and are far more sustainable. Enthusiastic gardeners have also been replacing traditional grass lawns with alternative ground covers that require less frequent watering to survive. Ground covers such as pachysandra and lamium will thrive in dry shady areas where grass usually has trouble.

The water sensitive gardens developed by Melbourne landscapers are fantastic solutions for public spaces and large properties as they cut costs significantly by reducing the consumption of fresh drinking water. Public gardens made using water sensitive techniques also save on maintenance costs and will continue to look vibrant and healthy throughout a drought. Clever irrigation and watering practices are the key to many of the best designs created by Melbourne landscapers. These practices include reducing the water thirsty soil level, encouraging deep root growth in plants and developing storm water drainage systems.

Melbourne landscapers have also developed a new enthusiasm for planting edibles in the domestic garden. One of the latest trends is to plant fruits and vegetables amongst other ornamental plants instead of in an enclosed kitchen garden patch. Planting in this way encourages an interesting visual, textural and aromatic variety in the garden and also makes the space more welcoming to native wildlife such as possums, birds and insects.