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Before Images |  During Images  | After Images | Night Photos  | New Images


Tennis Court Transformation: Dry Creek River Bed

 

BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN award winner


 In an attempt to minimise water usage, Vermont resident Geoff has transformed his tennis court into a Xeriscape landscape; a quality landscape that conserves water and helps guard our beautiful yet fragile environment. In Australia this concept is fairly new, while the tennis court transformation is one of a kind.

The Xeriscape landscape that was once a tennis court is a dry creek river bed and is based on the principles of the fairly new phenomenon of Xeriscaping. As such, the landscape is founded on sensible horticultural principles, which help save water. In conjunction with his landscape designer, Geoff has been able to design a landscape that is easy to maintain, minimises the occurrence of weed and uses less water and fertilisers.

"In a sense this landscape is hereditary- it is a truly Australian bush landscape that attracts fauna and represents the Australian natural beauty. More people need to look beyond the traditional exotic gardens and they too will be inspired by landscapes that are more suited to our circumstances and current lifestyles."

The overall landscape features a large range of Australian native plants such as Silver Banksia (Banksia marginate), Silky Purple-flag (Patersonia sercea), Tassel-rush, Small Crowea, Tropical Rhododendron,  ‘Dampiera rosmarinifolia’, Kidney weed,  Whiteroot, Native Fuchsia, Australian Grass Tree, and many more. Non-native plants that have been selected are plants that require less maintenance, water and fertilisers than many of the known exotic species. The focal point of the landscape is the dry creek river bed, which was built using pebbles and stones to simulate the flow of water. As such, water is not needed to imply its presence in this landscape. The dry creek bed was built to look as though as rushing watercourse deposited the stones and settled them in. The joy of the proud owner is increased by the presence of the two golf greens that are all that remains of the previous tennis court. Geoff has even installed two flags and cups so that he and friends can practices pitching form an upstairs balcony deck, using solid foam coloured balls.

The complete design has utilised large quantities of Australian local pebbles, available from DecoR Pebble (Aust) Pty Ltd for various functions within the landscape. The pebbles that have been chosen are quarried under licence, having a minimum effect on Australian ecology.  Goulburn Gold 7mm has been used for garden paths, Aussie Black 50mm+ for the river bed, Delatite 30-50mm and 50-200mm around the two golf greens, as well as Riveria 20mm, Ettamogah Red 20-40mm, 50-200mm and Aussie Sandstone 40-100mm. This selection of pebbles has been used as a focal point of the garden, as lawn replacement, mulching, ornamental decoration and to imitate water movement.

This transformation has incorporated the seven basic principles of Xeriscape Landscaping in order to save water. These are sensible planning and design, analysis of the soil, practical turf areas, appropriate plant selection, efficient or no irrigation, use of mulches and appropriate level of maintenance.

 

** Click on the thumbnail images below to view a larger picture.

 'Before' Images

   

 

 

 'During' Images

 

"This garden is my daily relaxation, but it also reminds me to appreciate the fragile nature of our environment. Current water restrictions are very strict, so we need to let go of European gardens that are quite water thirsty. I don't think that it's a question of giving up what we have; it is about acknowledging and embracing our heritage, a beautiful Australian landscape that is enriched with magnificent and drought tolerant flora. to me, this garden represents reconciliation with out natural environment."

 

 

"This transformation is a source of inspiration for others who want to adopt a responsible and sensible approach to gardening. The design, selection of adaptable plants, installation of efficient irrigation systems creates a balance that matches both the aesthetic needs and the resource availability of the local region."
   
Like many dry gardens, this Xeriscape garden has a character all of its own. It is not limited in colour, flora and growth. This dry garden utilises the layout and selection of materials to imitate the conditions of the Australian natural landscape.  
 

This transformation is a source of inspiration for others who want to adopt a responsible and sensible approach to gardening. This particular landscape has been designed from the beginning to reduce the amount of resources needed to maintain it and the amount of waste it produces. The design, selection of adaptable native plants, installation of efficient irrigation systems creates a balance that matches both the aesthetic needs and the resource availability of the local region. In a sense this landscape is “hereditary”- it is a truly Australian bush landscape that attracts fauna and represents the Australian natural beauty.

 

 NEW Images

As seasons change, so does the landscape. We have taken new photos of the tennis court transformation.