The recent drought conditions and all the current talk on climate change has led to a lot of press that the gardens that we have grown up with and loved may not be the way forward for Melbourne. We have been told we must go native, or focus purely on strap leaf and grassy plants. Every single plant must be drought tolerant and the concept of not watering your garden is being promoted. We disagree.
All gardens of the future will be waterwise. But they must look good and to serve their real function of adding value to our lives and a haven for well being, they must have variety and seasonal colour.
We at Warners advocate the "Aussie Mediterranean" concept for Southern Australia. A wide range of plants with vibrant colours, lush green foliage, tolerate the climate of the day (hot summers and low water regimes) and above all will look good all year round.
The basis for the group is all those Mediterranean classics that thrive in our climate - evergreen Magnolias, Olives, Citrus, Bay laurel, Viburnum etc . Combine those with the neater and more compact modern natives such as Agonis Burgundy, Eleaocarpus, Adenanthos.& Lillipillies, add some colorful grasses, and finish off with some flowering Lavender, Rosemary or Euphorbia and you have the garden of the future. A style for Melbourne that will accomodate both climate change and our desire for a wonderful garden.
