Articles
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUSTRALIAN STYLE IN AUSTRALIAN URBAN LANDSCAPING
Article number
643_12
Pages
105 – 112
Language
English
Abstract
The selective use of Australian native plants for urban landscape designs in Australia has lead to the development of urban landscapes with a uniquely Australian style.
This trend has occurred principally in the last 3 – 4 decades.
Hesitancy accompanied early plantings of different native plants as people experimented, unsure of how they would grow and adapt to the constraints of the Australian urban setting, or how they would be accepted.
Through the persistence of nurserymen and the creativity of early pioneers of Australian landscape design using native plants, the movement toward the natural garden style continued to grow and expand.
In conjunction with the parallel national movements of Australian Landcare and Aboriginal reconciliation, a greater appreciation of the Australian natural landscape and the subtle qualities of its unique, native vegetation has led to increased acceptance and popularity of native plants in urban settings.
Designers continue to explore the subtle attributes of native plants in a wider selection of design applications.
People are more confident about planting natives having greater understanding of their growth requirements, such as low nutrient regimes, specific light and soil pH requirements, or salinity tolerance or sensitivity.
Native plants are now used in a broad range of urban landscapes, from residential through to commercial and industrial sites and increasingly in public spaces.
The evolution of an Australian style in urban landscape design based on the use of Australian plants is on the brink, with the vast potential of Australian plants still to be more widely explored, valued and understood.
This trend has occurred principally in the last 3 – 4 decades.
Hesitancy accompanied early plantings of different native plants as people experimented, unsure of how they would grow and adapt to the constraints of the Australian urban setting, or how they would be accepted.
Through the persistence of nurserymen and the creativity of early pioneers of Australian landscape design using native plants, the movement toward the natural garden style continued to grow and expand.
In conjunction with the parallel national movements of Australian Landcare and Aboriginal reconciliation, a greater appreciation of the Australian natural landscape and the subtle qualities of its unique, native vegetation has led to increased acceptance and popularity of native plants in urban settings.
Designers continue to explore the subtle attributes of native plants in a wider selection of design applications.
People are more confident about planting natives having greater understanding of their growth requirements, such as low nutrient regimes, specific light and soil pH requirements, or salinity tolerance or sensitivity.
Native plants are now used in a broad range of urban landscapes, from residential through to commercial and industrial sites and increasingly in public spaces.
The evolution of an Australian style in urban landscape design based on the use of Australian plants is on the brink, with the vast potential of Australian plants still to be more widely explored, valued and understood.
Publication
Authors
R. Mibus, I.J. Shepherd
Keywords
native plants, native vegetation, greening, Australian Landcare, Australian identity, urban landscapes
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