Transforming a neglected rental garden into a vibrant floral retreat can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavour. Artist and illustrator Beci Orpin collaborated with garden designer Jimmy Sing to rejuvenate a 12-by-12-metre courtyard in Melbourne, nestled in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, turning it into a lush and inspiring oasis.
The duo drew inspiration from the untamed green spaces found throughout the city, such as railway edges and car park flora. Their goal was to create a more structured take on a ‘wild garden’, filling the space with a variety of colours, textures, and shapes while ensuring it remained functional for socialising and offering year-round vistas from the studio.
Beci and Jimmy sought to establish a garden that evolves continuously. Beci noted, “It’s not very formal … we let the plants redefine the space.” The garden is teeming with diverse species, resulting in a rich tapestry of scents, colours, and forms that entice people to venture outside. Regular maintenance is vital to preserve the garden’s diversity, as some plants can become overly dominant.
During the garden’s transformation, they addressed the existing weeds, which, despite their unsightliness, were beneficial for soil cover. After clearing the weeds, they added quality soil and gravel paths to suppress future weed growth. This was followed by planting resilient ornamental plants that quickly filled the space, leaving only the edges for occasional weeding.
Determining the right plants for a rental garden can be tricky, displaying beauty while considering a budget. Jimmy suggests using indigenous tube-stock plants, which are more affordable, allowing investment in larger feature plants. This approach helps create a lush garden while supporting local wildlife, bringing in butterflies, bees, and other insects attracted by the plant variety.
Among the chosen plants are spear grass (Austrostipa scabra), which offers feathery flowers and can be easily multiplied, and vibrant coneflowers (Rudbeckia speciosa), adding summer blooms. Additionally, they planted a sumac tree, which not only provides ornamental appeal but also produces edible fruit. Other notable choices include blue devil (Eryngium ovinum), celebrated for its striking blue flowers.
Although the garden is temporary, Beci believes in making the most of the space during their stay. After obtaining permission from their landlord to beautify the garden, they embraced the project’s ephemeral nature, finding joy in its transformation and the experiences it fosters. “There’s something nice about it being temporary,” reflects Beci, reminding us of the value in creating beauty, even when it may not last forever.