ROCK GARDEN

Sandstone excavated during the construction of the foundations for this project in Glebe, Sydney, was retained and stored on site for later reuse. Rather than removing it, the architect, Phillip Arnold (Plus Minus), and the client chose to incorporate the stone into the rear garden.

Rob Champion and I worked together, with the help of Phillip, the client, and a friend, to arrange the stone on site. The composition emerged through an improvised process, partly inspired by an image of Angkor Wat that Phillip shared with us during smoko.

The planting draws inspiration from this ruinous stonework and spontaneous vegetation from the image, combining local ferns and grasses to establish a stony understorey beneath an existing avocado tree. Woodland associates, including penstemons, geraniums, native flax and other local herbs, were added to provide seasonal change throughout the year.