Australian Vertical Gardens: An Artful Outdoor Retreat Built on Innovation

Vertical gardening takes a bold, experimental turn in this renovated backyard near Perth, Australia, where landscape designer Andrew Beck transforms a surviving recycled brick wall into a series of striking vertical gardens that defy convention.

A home remodel left the backyard in disarray, with only the brick wall remaining. Beck seized the opportunity to depart from the vernacular, envisioning a garden inspired by natural, low-impact elements that would serve as both an entertainment space and a private retreat. "Every home requires a garden space which acts as a kind of living meditative sanctuary to sustain us," says Beck. "The clients were very open and generous in their allowance of experimentation."

Three Distinct Vertical Gardens

Each vertical garden addresses unique microclimates and design ideas:

1. The Brick Wall Installation — Gutter-like copper vessels, coated with waterproof pond sealer and mounted with galvanized dynabolts, stack along the wall face. The oxidized copper's warm patina complements the red brick. Shade-loving foliage thrives in this protected niche: Dichondra 'Silver Falls', variegated bromeliads, Sedum 'Gold Mound', Chlorophytum comosum (non-variegated), Rhoeo spathacea, and Muehlenbeckia complexa.

Beck aims for at least 50% native plants among non-edibles: "We should educate ourselves to love the aesthetic of our local species and learn to plant them creatively. I always try one new plant on every job to acquaint myself with new species."

2. The Outdoor Shower Privacy Screen — Copper vessels reappear, suspended by a custom structure of threaded rods, bolts, and curved circular fence posts. Water drains between tiers through small drilled holes. "Test drainage effectiveness relative to irrigation frequency to avoid root rot," Beck advises. An opaque corrugated backing shields the shower and filters sun like a greenhouse wall.

A sunnier exposure demanded tougher plants: blue chalk sticks, Jelly Bean sedums, and Crassula erosula — hardy succulents that thrive in heat.

3. The Hanging Pebble Garden — Railroad ties, suspended river pebbles, and terrazzo bowls form unusual garden pendulums that move subtly in the breeze. "It creates a surreal sense of rocks hanging in midair," says Beck. The suspended bowls double as planters and water features; the sound of running water adds an experiential layer and welcomes birds.

Vines climb the structure: ornamental grape for seasonal color and native wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana) for year-round screening. Bowls hold trailing lotus (Lotus berthelotii) and string of bananas (Senecio radicans). Beneath, native sedges (Lepidosperma gladiatum, L. longitudinale), cardboard palm, decorative potato vine, and ground covers (native violet, Myoporum parvifolium, silver dichondra) blanket the ground.

Edibles occupy ample space by design, enabling year-round fresh produce.

Hardscape Harmony

While vertical gardens showcase innovation, hardscape and pavers reflect Beck's admiration for Japanese garden minimalism. Hexagonal concrete pavers imprinted with organic forms accompany plain round pavers; a second path uses irregularly placed rectangular granite pavers. Ground covers will eventually soften edges. Granite, limestone, copper, railroad ties, and glacial riverstones recur throughout, unifying the hardscape.

"I'm very attached to this garden — it contains many surprising, hidden elements unimaginable from inside the house," says Beck. "The beautiful thing was how the clients developed a passion for gardening, now out there daily, manicuring lovingly. The most beautiful thing about landscape design as an art form is that a garden never stays the same — it's constantly changing, and we can only control it to a point; it does the rest itself."