Paddington Courtyard
By Pepo Botanic Design
This peaceful courtyard garden in Paddington is a place of retreat, used daily for dining and entertaining in the warmer months. In conjunction with a renovation of the house, Pepo Botanic Design was engaged to redevelop the formerly tired garden and bring a fresher, more contemporary feel to the space. The existing layout of the courtyard was functional so we worked within this framework, selecting a new plant palette that was fresh and cat-friendly while introducing layering, contrast and colour to the space.
A stunning Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) is a standout feature among the new planting, emerging from a corner bed of Ligularia dentata reniformis (tractor seat plant) and Doodia aspera (prickly rasp fern). Alongside it, a handcrafted Mr & Mrs Munro hardwood bench is contrasted with sculpted balls of Buxus microphylla japonica (Japanese box) and a mass of Viola hederacea (native violet), offering a satisfying array of shapes and textures.
Liquidambar ‘slender silhouette’ (slender silhouette liquidambar) trees introduce height to the planting along the boundary fences with delicate Muehlenbeckia complexa (maidenhair vine) woven into a series of wire trellises behind them. Beyond the fence, Neomarica gracilis (Brazilian walking iris) screens a large, concrete retaining wall and provides a wall of green when viewed from the house.
With an elegant outdoor dining set and Robert Plumb planters framing the entrance to the living room, this courtyard garden offers a contemporary and stylish oasis in the heart of Paddington.
PROJECT TEAM
Garden Development
Nicola Cameron, Josh Arkey
Garden Installation & Maintenance
Pepo Botanic Design
Photography
Nick Bowers
Working within the existing framework, we transformed the tired garden into a contemporary space with fresh, cat-friendly plants, introducing layering, contrast, and vibrant colours.
Feast your eyes on the standout features of this courtyard, from the stunning Japanese maple to the handcrafted hardwood bench. With a mix of textures and shapes, including Japanese box and native violet, every corner offers a visual treat.
An elegant outdoor dining set and stylish planters frame the entrance to the living room, making this courtyard a true haven in the bustling city.
The slender silhouette liquidambar trees add height, while the Brazilian walking iris screens the concrete retaining wall, creating a verdant backdrop.
Professionals used in
Paddington Courtyard
More projects from
Pepo Botanic Design
About the
Professional
Pepo Botanic Design is widely recognised as a bespoke design studio with an emphasis on unique plant choices and sculptural additions. Our landscape architects take the time to listen to you and develop an intuitive feel for the possibilities when designing each individual space, making it one of the more unique gardening services in Sydney.
Once a garden is established, our maintenance team prides itself on respectfully tending to and nourishing lawns, plants and gardens with expert horticultural care.
Our Story
Talented visual artist Nicola Cameron established Pepo in 2000, looking to weave her experience in photography and film into a different and creative living medium. Landscape design and horticulture provided the perfect platform to conceive her beautiful creations, passion for unique design aesthetics, and love of plants.
In 2007, Nicola’s husband James Perkin was appointed Construction Manager of Pepo, joining a team of specialists dedicated to turning a client’s dream into a practical and beautiful reality.
Hundreds of alluring gardens, courtyards, balconies, and rural retreats have been brought to life since the business began and the team continues to provide a premium landscape architectural service, brimming with creativity and inspiration every day.