Natural Pool & Organic Garden, Hawthorn
HOUSE & GARDEN medium sized Garden of the Year 2014
The Natural Pool was designed to preserve and make a feature of the 110 year old peppercorn tree. The inspiration was to create a natural swimming pool for the environmental and water saving benefits as well as the sheer delight of swimming in living water! A 20m lap pool and 3.5m diving pool provide hours of fun for family and friends.
The pond, planted with local indigenous water species and because of its proximity to the Yarra River, will become an important habitat for local and endangered frogs and other water birds and reptile/insect species that inhabit the river and its banks. A blue tongued lizard was one of the first visitors!
An organic vegetable garden flourishes in raised bluestone planter beds and spotted gum was used for the solar pergola for year round outdoor living and feasting. In the front, a rambling Victorian inspired collectors garden provides seasonal foliage and scented flowers.
Photography by Hayley McCunn
& Susan Gordon-Brown