Wonga Park is a picturesque hidden gem in Melbourne’s outer east. Many of the properties are lush, green acreages, giving it the charm of a country shire while still being within a reasonable commuting distance to the city.
This garden was designed by landscape architect Nathan Burkett as his personal family home. Situated on a sloping block, it offers sweeping views of Jumping Creek Valley.
Upon entering the property, the dual-access driveway is lined with an avenue of crepe myrtles, underplanted with topiary spheres and a low Buxus hedge.
Behind the house, Nathan employed a muted colour palette to complement the surrounding bushland. The olive tree planted in the corner of the stone-walled piazza gives the space a Mediterranean feel. The warmer tones in the paving and pool tiles were carefully selected to harmonise with the setting.
A large, sloping garden bed connects the piazza to the sprawling lawn below. It is densely planted with drifts of Sedum, Agastache, Verbena, and the ornamental grass Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’.
“One of the great aspects of this garden is the negative-edge pool, especially as the sun sets over the water. It’s beautiful to watch, and we have enjoyed these sunsets almost year-round,” said Nathan.
The family has since outgrown their Jumping Creek residence and moved to a larger property in Wonga Park, where Nathan is designing his next passion project!