Fendalton Riverside House

It was a privilege to be involved in the riverside dream home of talented gardener Coleen. The riverbank was sensitively retained, avoiding the need for a hard retaining wall. Sleek floating steps lead gracefully from the house and decks down through the garden to the river.

The surrounding meadow is alive with bird and insect life, reflecting Coleen’s vision of colour, texture and seasonal movement. Large drifts of native reeds and grasses are combined with exotic perennials and evergreen flowering plants, creating a landscape that responds to the breeze and offers year-round interest.

Boardwalks and Japanese-style stepping stones connect the garden’s spaces, encouraging exploration and quiet reflection. The scale and layering of the planting give the garden a painterly quality—a serene, living sanctuary along the river.