OPEN AIR
by Esjay Landscapes + Pools
Open Air
noun
a free or unenclosed space outdoors.
“getting out in the open air”
Being in nature and fresh, open air is proven to be successful in boosting mood, decreasing stress, and reducing high blood pressure and heart rate.
Unhindered by the small area, our team wanted to capture the beauty and tranquility of an outdoor space at home, and demonstrate that through harnessing water flow and whimsical plantings, harmony and modern aesthetics collide for the ultimate courtyard – a place to relax, wind down and be at one with the world outside.
This elegant show garden provides you with an opportunity to lounge about in a relaxed, yet luxurious setting. Sweeping curves reflected around the design soften the hard surfaces and rigid lines. A crisp, white pergola frames the space with dappled light, creating delicate shadows and flattering the mirrored diameter of the spa.
A brass water feature acts as an alluring water curtain, ensuring privacy and creating a unique backdrop to the garden. The minimal, yet sophisticated brass detail is carried through to the in-situ concrete day bed, extending the fine detail and adding a touch of class to the space.
Lay back and immerse yourself with the tranquil sound of water, overlooking a lavish circular spa and layered planting, which has been carefully selected to evoke a sense of calm and peacefulness. Informally positioned with predominantly soft tones and textures, the plant palette is accented with architectural leaves and branches, to add an extra element of style and structure and complete this contemporary haven.
Laze, unwind and replenish.
Be in the Open Air.
As seen on…
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
Season 30 Episode 8
~ Aired Friday 22 March, 2024
Graham, Charlie and Melissa explore the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.
OUR PARTNERS
Huge thanks to all of our wonderful Event Partners. We are so grateful for your ongoing support and generous sponsorship of the Esjay Landscapes + Pools Boutique Garden in 2024.
SR Carpentry
Solid Edge Design
BOUTIQUE GARDENS COMPETITION
Thank you to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show for once again hosting the Boutique Garden Competition.
Thank you to show owners IMG and NGIV, and the wonderful team at Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers (LVML) who have presented this unique opportunity for the Esjay Landscapes + Pools team to design and build a Boutique Garden in 2024.
A final thank you to the Boutique Gardens material sponsors:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THIS DESIGN CONCEPT REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF ESJAY LANDSCAPES PTY LTD.
MATERIAL PALETTE
ALFRESCO: 3350mm high steel structure with circle cut-out in roof, rafters running adjacent to front, painted white.
REAR WALL: cladded with Better Exteriors 200x50x20mm ‘Claremont’ limestone.
WATER FEATURE WALL: custom-made, to extend from ceiling to ground.
DAY BED: custom-made day bed with curve cut-out, 30mm shadow. 10mm brass protruding detail.
CONCRETE X-BOND: supplied by Seamless Overlays, installed by Alternative Surfaces.
MATTRESS + CUSHION: custom-made for daybed.
SPA: circular spa with tiled interior and top, rendered grey exterior.
SPA TILES: The Pool Tile Company 23x23mm CMC552 ‘Vanilla Wavy’ ceramic mosaic tiles.
ROD FENCE: custom-made steel rods, painted white.
CIRCLE PAVERS: Anston concrete pavers 900, 800 and 500mm diameter, in off white.
COFFEE TABLE: custom-made 900x400mm, in white textured aluminium.
PAVING: Better Exteriors limestone paving for top and 3 x sides of alfresco area, and entry step.
LIGHTING: Gardens at Night lighting.
PLANTS: Warners Nurseries, with a selection of specialist varieties independently sourced by our design team and horticulturist.
PLANT LIBRARY
The plant selection has been chosen to evoke a sense of calm and peacefulness, a feeling of being one with nature. The plants are positioned informally around the garden, the soft tones and textures, accented with architectural leaves and foliage offers a sensual balance to the space.
Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’
– Yarrow
The pale orange flower-heads of this Achillea peek above the lower shrubs and ground covers to add subtle interest and a harmonious colour pop.
Anemone japonica ‘White’
– Japanese Windflower
Cheery, crisp white flowers burst above soft clumping foliage, adding texture from top to bottom.
Andropogon scoparius ‘Prarie Blues’
– Little Blue Stem
A great way to bring some architectural form into the garden by way of this blue-green grass. Thin, upright growth with burgundy tips add interest without being too bold.
Casuarina glauca ‘Cousin It’
– Cousin It
Added as a spectacular filler in lower areas around step risers and stepper pads. The low foliage teases out on the horizontal plane, reaching across with its matt-green, wiry growth.
Cedrus deodora Aurea
– Golden Indian Cedar
A singular tree features in this small space, with its graceful and delicate weeping foliage providing a tranquil backdrop.
Casuarina glauca ‘Green Wave’
– Green Wave
The clipped Casuarina brings stability and form to an informal garden. The singular positioning creates a unique, mounded effect.
Dryopteris erythrosora
– Autumn Fern
Scattered clumps of the small Autumn Fern throughout the garden add more texture, with copper-tinged new growth added to the mix.
Hedera canariensis
– Canary Island Ivy
Large, leathery dark green leaves peek through the shrubs and grasses, creating a tonal grounding for the lower spaces.
Juniperus conferta
– Shore Juniper
This Juniper and its shapely growth teases out from the variety of shrubs and grasses, tickling the edges of steppers and walls to ensure extra depth and tone in the plantings.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’
– Miscanthus
A beautiful grass with bronze-pink seeds heads, harnessing a wistful feel into the garden.
Persica amplexicaulis ‘Alba’
– Mountain Fleece
Dainty white flowers arch high above bright green lower foliage, creating movement with even the slightest of breeze.
Parthenocissus sikkimensis
– Sikkim Creeper
Mid-green, delicate leaves with bronze-red new growth gracefully twist and tumble down the limestone wall, softening and contrasting against the hard structure.
Stipa ichu
– Peruvian Feather Grass
Dotted plantings throughout, the Peruvian Feather Grass adds extra movement with its creamy, pale seed heads.
Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Antique Pink’
– Great Burnett
A whimsical plant with low green foliage and contrasting dark pink flowers. A stunning colour pop!
Open Air
Boutique Garden
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2024
by Esjay Landscapes + Pools