Coasting along

Drawing its inspiration from nearby sand dunes, this calming coastal garden has a strong sense of place

- KAREN BOOTH

The world’s best gardens have a sense of belonging. They look and feel as if they naturally evolved in that place. Intertwined with that sense of place are the aspirations and personalities of the owners. Just as importantly, the most successful gardens are places for living. Picturesque views that can be enjoyed from inside the home aren’t enough — the garden has to entice you outside.

This beguiling garden in Rye on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula ticks every box. It draws on the nearby sand dunes and indigenous coastal plantings for inspiration. In particular, it employs the existing Moonah trees to frame garden views, blurring the lines between where the garden ends and the undulating dunes begin.

The design was a collaborative effort between Ben McDonald, director of Iluka Landscape Developments, and the property owners. The process began with an open conversation about what the owners wanted from their garden and naturally evolved from there. What they yearned for was a garden with a coastal, dunelike feel that would incorporate the established Moonah trees. It was important that feature rocks and stonework be incorporated along with ornamental native grasses to reinforce the by-the-beach look.