DRIVE TO THRIVE

Inspired by the shapes of the natural landscape, garden designer Kathleen Murphy devised an undulating, drought-tolerant wonderland of natives and perennials that is also a model of sustainability.

- Elizabeth Wilson

Feature plants

TREES

Mallee (Eucalyptus forresterae ‘Little Star’)

Crimson sentry maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’)

SHRUBS & GRASSES

Grass tree (Xanthorrhoea australis ‘Supergrass’)

Coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa ‘Funky Chunky’) Shrubby germander (Teucrium fruticans)

Lomandra longifolia ‘Tanika’

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Seascape’

Dianella tasmanica ‘Tasred’

GROUNDCOVERS

Creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium)

Tar bush (Eremophila glabra ‘Silver Spread’)

Garden designer Kathleen Murphy loves experimenting with plants. Using her own backyard as a botanic laboratory, she trials and tests their growing habits and tolerances, forever adding to her repertoire of beauties that thrive in Australian conditions.

Kathleen adores native plants but is equally fond of flowering exotics, some of which have proven to be extremely resilient. She is especially inspired by the naturalistic planting style of the New Perennial Movement and has developed a trusty plant palette that mixes perennials among the natives. “I love hardy plants that are drought- and frost-tolerant,” says Kathleen, who is also a horticulturist. “I have no major loyalty [to plant types]... I just use whatever works in the environment.”