Bronte Garden

Location

Bronte

Year

2025

Project Type

Design & Installation, Garden Care, 

Project Team

Landscape Designer

Nicola Cameron, Anouk Lee

Garden Installation and Care

Pepo Botanic Design

Photographer

Nick Bowers

Paving

Barefoot Living

Paving Install

Paving by Design

Decking

Coast Timber Landscapes

Our recently completed Bronte Garden draws inspiration from the client’s travels and memories of the Amalfi Coast. Layered planting, custom metalwork, and a considered design allow the garden to unfold with its own quiet beauty. The brief called for a space that feels lived-in rather than overly manicured, where plants grow into one another and embrace the changing seasons.

A key focus for the design was connection; rather than relying on direct paths, we designed journey’s through the garden that link the main house with the studio and garage at the rear of the property. Each rear room now opens onto the garden, strengthening the relationship between inside and out and encouraging daily interaction with the garden.

Cooling the site was a priority for the client, this was achieved through increased canopy, abundant planting and custom trellises for climbing vines. The garden now offers relief from glare and heat, transforming the space into a comfortable retreat throughout the warmer months. Flowering perennials were woven through the garden to attract pollinators as well as bring movement and softness to the space.

The project also involved resolving drainage issues caused by synthetic turf laid across the site. By swapping the synthetic turf for permeable surfaces, we helped the garden reconnect with the land, improving water flow and soil health.

Planting responds carefully to the varied conditions across the site, from full sun to shade. Mediterranean species anchor the sunnier areas, while shade planting references the heritage character of the home. Lagerstroemia indica ‘Sioux’ provides structure and seasonal interest, while a mix of salvias, grasses, climbers and perennials creates depth, texture and a relaxed rhythm throughout the garden.

A custom trellis for the wisteria was developed in collaboration with Calabrian blacksmith Francesco Petolo, drawing on the ornamental metalwork found throughout Italy. The trellis adds a strong architectural layer while allowing the planting to soften and blur its edges over time.

Now complete, the garden feels established and generous, a space shaped by movement, climate and memory, designed to be lived with and enjoyed as it continues to grow.

 

What the client says:

‘I knew from the start how I wanted the garden to feel and importantly, I wanted to celebrate the Victorian Italianate origins of the home. The brilliant team at Pepo somehow managed to translate those feelings into reality in a very beautiful and functional way. I really enjoyed the design process and the result is a wonderful outdoor space my family enjoys every day and every season.’