Increasingly, I’m drawn to gardens with a gentle, almost nostalgic warmth – spaces where structure and softness sit in balance. Textural planting palettes, subtly layered greens and a sense of seasonal movement are at the centre of my creative thinking. Lately, this has meant revisiting classic species and reinterpreting them through a contemporary lens, using composition, scale and tone to give renewed relevance. Across all projects, my focus has remained on strengthening the connection between indoors and out, through sightlines, materials and subtle shifts in colour, so the garden reads as a natural extension of the home or venue.
Inherited with my home, the Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ trees were once half their current size and planted awkwardly, with tightly staked, cross-branching forms that have since become part of their charm. A hard prune and lifted canopy about 18 months ago allowed the mid-section to fill out, forming a pleached hedge that shelters seating below and encourages lush understorey planting. Fertilised in spring and mid-summer, they produce a perfumed display through the warmer months. While they create an elegant screen and provide abundant cut foliage, regular leaf litter management is essential in a compact courtyard setting.
The lifted canopy of the magnolia hedge allows for a quiet spot to sit and relax on an MCM House outdoor sofa. Regular trimming keeps the Buxus microphylla japonica compact, while underplanting by Nathan includes native violet (Viola hederacea) and trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus). (Photography: Fiona Susanto)
Buxus microphylla japonica was chosen for my courtyard for its resilience and refined appearance. This hardy evergreen features compact, dark green foliage with fresh growth delivering a vivid burst of bright green. Inspired by visits to Giardino di Boboli in Florence, where Buxus sempervirens is used en masse, the warmer-climate japonica offers a subtle nod to Italian formality in a Sydney setting. Regular trimming maintains its shape, supported by consistent watering and slow-release fertiliser during the cooler months. In warmer weather, careful irrigation is essential, as buxus prefers moisture without waterlogged soil.
As far as trends go, there’s a move toward understated structure: slimline fencing, wilder planting palettes, looser layouts and an overall less-is-more approach. Natural finishes are also in favour – warm timbers, organic textures and stone with variation – although, I’ll always have a soft spot for bold materiality and classic paving patterns.
Nathan White sits in the courtyard of his Sydney terrace, with a pleached hedge of Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’) grows between classic travertine pavers. (Photography: Fiona Susanto)
How to design a lived-in garden
Oversized trees in compact courtyards can anchor your space and immediately establish a sense of permanence and drama
Retaining and reworking what’s already there offers more sustainable, character-rich outcomes
Reviving established trees, softening hard edges and carefully weaving in new planting helps create spaces that feel cohesive, generous and resolved
The Designer:
Smokebush Studio: smokebushstudio.com; @smokebushstudio_
Photography: Maree Homer
Anduze Pots
These terracotta pots are a staple. Each pot references centuries of artisanship. Their patina only improves with age and they feel instantly established in a garden. The warm tones complement leafy greens and muted Mediterranean palettes, adding to a sun-washed effect.
Photography: Maree Homer
GatherCo tiles
Stone tiles in ‘Verde’ and ‘Bianco’ are a favourite of mine for their versatility and timeless appeal. Used in a chequerboard pattern for my powder room floor and as a border throughout the upper courtyard, they elegantly connect indoors with out.
FEATURE PLANTS
Trees
Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)
Little Gem magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’)
Pencil pine (Cupressus sempervirens ‘Glauca’)
Russian olive (Elaeagnus macrophylla)
Snow pear (Pyrus nivalis)
Shrubs
Japanese box (Buxus microphylla japonica)
Pittosporum tobira ‘Miss Muffet‘ (Dwarf pittosporum)
Tractor seat plant (Ligularia dentata reniformis)
Walking iris (Neomarica gracilis)
Grasses
Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’)
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’)
Groundcover
Native violet (Viola hederacea)
Seaside daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)
Trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus)
Comments are closed.