Page 11 - Landscape SA 96

PROJECT

View from the homes on the estate, overlooking the conservancy and ocean

Fever and Paper Bark trees have been SALI awards and judges’ van bahlenii and A. barberae specimens
used to create height and interest, and comments complete the picture. The colouring of
together with various forms of Aloes, the boulders complements the site and
succulents, wild grasses and many other Entered in the category of Landscape the ground has been naturalistically
species, McWade chose a colour palette Construction with In-House Design, modelled and cleverly planted to allow
of primarily purple and orange. These McWades Landscapes received a SALI pedestrian access behind the beds. Inside
plants include Euphorbia tirucali (Orange Gold Award for this project. In addition, the complex, an island bed, cut into grey
Fire Sticks), Wild Garlic, bushveld grasses, it received the Best Water Wise Trophy, and black marble, is sensitively planted
flowering aloes, red hot pokers and sponsored by Rand Water. The judges with Echeveria species. Overall, a pleasing
miniature Agapanthus. The entire garden made the following comments: design well executed with high attention
was mulched using chipped material to detail, this corporate garden creates an
sourced from the invasive alien plants “This water-wise garden, established at appropriate and stunning entrance.” LSA
eradicated from the estate. the entrance to the gatehouse, consists
of well modelled berms with large Project Team
Due to Durban’s tropical climate, summer rounded boulders, a simulated water
rainfall, high humidity and condensation, course and a naturalistic water feature. • Developer: Golden Dividend 341 (Pty)
it was decided that the garden would The feature, located in a high-profile Ltd
not require much, if any, additional area, has significant impact and is boldly • Architects: GAPP Architects, Chalk
watering and the irrigation system was laid out with appropriate form plants, Design Workshop
therefore removed completely. As a screening shrubs and a high density of • Landscape Design and Installation:
back-up plan, permission to tap into the perennial planting. The plants are well McWades Landscapes
Ridge Management Association’s grey layered and suitably spaced, providing
water system was applied for. This runs a peaceful ambiance to the complex. Information and photos
throughout the La Lucia Ridge Precinct, Height is provided by semi-mature supplied by Alistair McWade,
but to date has not been required. Acacia sieberiana and A. xanthophloea, McWades Landscapes.
strategically placed, while Aloe ferox, A.
Installation
Installation was undertaken entirely by
McWades, who sourced all the materials
locally and rented a truck and crane to
position and transport large boulders.
They created a pathway for staff to access
the turnstile, yet it remains out of sight
behind tall clumps of Euphorbia tirucali
and designed lighting. Soil retained
throughout the project was used to create
small hillocks and berms; natural rock,
boulders and dense plantings were also
used.

Currently, McWades maintains, weekly,
about thirteen homes on the estate, as well
as the conservatory and common areas
such as verges, the main entrance and
curbside gardens. They also maintain the
Carissa hedges alongside the main road
(including the opposite side of the road) as
per the initial environmental conservation
plan approval requirements. Six gardeners
and a supervisor, who are full time on
the estate, are employed; tree fellers and
additional labourers are brought in on an Water feature with natural boulders
ad-hoc basis.

Landscape SA • Issue 96 2020 9