We’ve seen vertical gardening before, but in this residential renovated garden near Perth, Australia, landscape designer Andrew Beck explores an alternative to the lush, living tapestries we’ve come to expect.

A home remodel left the backyard in shambles, with a recycled brick wall as its sole survivor. Beck jumped at the opportunity to depart from the vernacular norm, envisioning a garden inspired by natural and low-impact elements that would fulfill the clients’ wishes to entertain and to enjoy a private retreat.

“Our mantra is that 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." sustainable garden design perth Three distinct vertical gardens now playfully punctuate the area, addressing unique microclimates and design ideas. Starting at the brick wall, Beck stacked gutter-like copper vessels along its face, coated with waterproof pond sealer, using pre-drilled holes and galvanized dynabolts; The oxidized copper is colorful and complements the red brick. A vibrant array of shade-loving foliage plants fills the planters, thriving in this protected, shady area. sustainable garden design perth Plants here include Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, variegated Bromeliads, Sedum ‘Gold Mound’, Chlorophytum comosum (nonvariegated form), Rhoeo spathacea and Muehlenbeckia complexa.

Of the nonedible plants used in the garden, Beck focused on using at least 50 percent natives. “We should educate ourselves to love the aesthetic of our local species and learn to plant them creatively,” he says. "I will always try one new plant on every job to try to acquaint myself with new species." sustainable garden design perth The second vertical garden doubles as a privacy screen for an outdoor shower. Copper vessels reappear, suspended by a custom-made structure of threaded rods and bolts and curved circular fence posts.

Water drains between each tier through small drilled holes. "It is essential that you test the effectiveness of the drainage in relation to how frequently the irrigation is set to go on to avoid root rot," says Beck.

An opaque corrugated backing shields the shower and filters sun like a greenhouse wall, says Beck. sustainable garden design perth A sunnier and more exposed portion of the garden required an alternative plant palette. Tough, hardy succulents, including blue chalk sticks, Jelly Bean sedums and Crassula erosula, fill these planters. sustainable garden design perth A hanging pebble garden rounds out this vertical garden series and introduces another class of plants: climbing vines and trailing succulents. The structure is an aesthetic statement, a visual screen and an inventive trellis.

Railroad ties, suspended river pebbles and terrazzo bowls form unusual but appealing garden pendulums that move slowly and subtly in the garden breeze. “It creates a surreal sense of rocks hanging in midair,” says Beck. sustainable garden design perth The suspended terrazzo bowls are planters as well as water features. The soothing sound of running water adds another experiential layer to the garden and welcomes birds to bathe and drink. sustainable garden design perth Vines grow along the structure, including an ornamental grape for seasonal color and a native wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana) for year-round color and screening.

The suspended bowls are filled with trailing lotus (Lotus berthelotii) and String of Bananas (Senecio radicans).

Beneath the screen a mixture of native sedges (Lepidosperma gladiatum and Lepidosperma longitudinale), cardboard palm and decorative potato vine blanket the ground along with ground covers, including native violet, wide-leafed Myoporum parvifolium and silver dichondra. sustainable garden design perth Edibles have ample space in the garden by design, enabling fresh produce year-round. sustainable garden design perth While the vertical gardens showcase Beck’s innovative approach to the native Australian garden, the hardscape and pavers refer to his time spent admiring the minimalism and simplicity of Japanese garden design. Hexagonal concrete pavers imprinted with original organic forms are accompanied by plain round pavers. sustainable garden design perth A second path diverges from organic shapes and patterns, having irregularly placed granite rectangular pavers instead. While both paths appear sparse right now, ground covers will fill in the empty spaces, balancing and softening their edges.

Granite, limestone, copper, railroad ties and glacial riverstones reappear throughout the project, tying the hardscape together.

“I am very attached to this garden, because it contains many surprising and hidden elements that would never be imagined when entering the house," says Beck. "The beautiful thing about the clients' response to the garden renovation was how they developed a passion for gardening, and how they are now out in the garden frequently and continue to manicure the garden lovingly on a daily basis." sustainable garden design perth "I still think the most beautiful thing about landscape design as an art form is that a garden never stays the same," he adds. "In fact it is constantly changing, and we can only control it to a point, and it does the rest for itself."