Xeriscaping plants: List of succulents.

Here is a list of succulents. Please note that the images that you see originate from Flickr. Unfortunately, I do not any images of beautiful succulents, so I have linked up to Flickr.com photos. This is a rather small list of succulents, but I have to tell you, the images are absolutely breath taking. I plan to provide you with a longer list and will make sure that I have the images readily available. For now, you will need to do a bit of clicking.

Aloe brevifolia
Aloe ferox
Aloe polyphylla
Aloe rauhii
Agave americana 'Variagata'
Agave Stricta
Crassula Falcata
Crassula Perforata
Crassula Argentea 'hobbit'
Echeveria Pulvinata
Echeveria Pulvinata 'Ruby Blush'
Echeveria purpusorum
Echeveria agavoides
Echeveria nodulosa
Echeveria subrigida
Echeveria setosa
Echeveria agavoides
Echeveria 'Perle Von Nurnberg'
Echeveria elegans
Echeveria multicaulis
Echeveria Black Prince

when are our gardens as waterwise as they can possibly get?

It is a fact that we have to be very waterwise during this period of harsh drought. Many of us are struggling to keep our previous gardens against all odds. While gardening is considered a relaxing and calming hobby, lately it has been nothing more but a nerve-racking pastime.

A lot of money, time, efforts, tears and sweat are being invested into ensuring that our gardens become as sustainable and waterwise as they should be. Many come to the stage where there is not much that can be done apart from demolishing the current garden and start from scratch. Easier said than done! All that time and effort and sweat.But what can we do? Has it come to the stage where the only reality is either watching your garden, your tour de force, die or do you destroy it yourself and create a waterwise garden? Are these the only options? Who knows? It is perhaps safe to say that in some regions in good old australia, this may be the only two options. There is only so much that gardeners can do to make their gardens waterwise. Sooner or later it will come to the stage where nothing more can be done; any more work done becomes nothing more than a drain on our already limited natural and personal resources.

To find out the latest hints and tips on how to make your garden more waterwise, click on the link: xeriscaping: creating sustainable gardens

To see images of successfully transformed gardens, click on this link: xeriscape gardens

Green roof symbolises charm of metropolis Sydney

Gracing Sydney with their astounding architectural and sculptural splendor are the extravagant Monument Apartments designed by Melbourne based Wood Marsh Architects. Hailed as the icon of exceptional design, the breathtaking structural design of their iridescent metallic exterior is contrasted with a tranquil garden, adding to the enigmatic beauty of this architectural tour de force. This outstanding design is a representation of a new period for residential projects as well as the limitless application possibility of DécoR Pebble's expansive product range. While this project is rare in apartment-living, it is only one of the many projects of architectural and landscaping masterminds that Melbourne based DécoR Pebble has been a key supplier for. The design utilized is unparalleled in its sculptural design epitomizing the charm of metropolis Sydney. The creation of the serene gardens has been dependent on the massive array of decorative pebbles available through the DécoR Pebble product range.

For the design of the gardens, DécoR Pebble has supplied landscape designers with over 30 tones of decorative pebbles, including the Indo Black and Sulu Black array of the DécoR Pebble range. While Monument is an icon of extravagancy in Sydney, the involvement in the design of the sculptural gardens has been an icon for DécoR Pebble's extensive product range and evocative of their reputation as Australia's leading supplier of decorative pebbles. The aura of the sculptured gardens is one of sophisticated lavishness, climaxed by a carefully created design comprising a scenic water feature as the focal point of the garden, decorative pathways, artistic mosaics, a vast array of fauna matching and complementing other colours of the garden, all highlighted with different colours of decorative pebbles. To see images of this ground-breaking design project click here:green roof

Xeriscaping: Drought-Tolerant plants

Australia is a big dry. Extended dry periods and harsh water restrictions are impacting on gardens immensely. The fact that many of our gardens are not up to scratch when it comes to ensuring that water-wise plants are being used, does not make this situation easier. People who are not prepared to give up and are fiercely fighting to save their gardens should be commended for their effort. However, it is time to face reality and do the right thing. Now, we must fight to save water. Using drought tolerant plants in our landscape designs helps minimise the amount of water that is being used. There are many Australian native and non-native plants that have evolved to survive in the toughest environments. There are many beautiful plants that are able to flourish in the driest conditions.

What are some of the drought tolerant plants?


Billardiera
Callistemon viminalis
Grevillea lavandulacea
Melaleuca glaberrimma
Catharanthus roseus
Dietes bicolor
Gazania hybrids
Pelargonium cultivars
Myoporum parvifolium
Indigofera australis
Lomandra longifolia
Dianella revoluta
Callistemon citrinus
Correa ‘Dusky Bells’

Xeriscape Landscape: australian garden

In an attempt to create a landscape that conserves our precious and limited water supplies, Vermont resident Geoff has transformed his, once beloved, tennis court into a Xeriscape landscape. While this landscape features a dry creek river bed, very fancy, it also includes two golf greens, even fancier. Apart from the very practical and obvious benefits as a result of the two golf greens, Geoff's garden also preserves water, protects our fragile ecology and promotes the use of the sometimes undervalued beauty and practicality of Australian flora. While this landscape is absolutely breathtaking it presents the ideal way to use water wisely.

What motivated Geoff?
Sufficient water supply is increasingly becoming a fundamental issue for the future prosperity of our nation. Rising population figures have increased the demand on our already limited supplies. In addition, seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and periodic droughts are signals that a change is due desperately.

The effect of climate change is expected to have extensive effects on gardens and landscapes. Predictions that you may have heard of are not mere sci-fi-outlooks. We all have become aware of some of the effects, with hardly any rainfall and periods of summer drought and bush fires.

The Xeriscape landscape that was once a tennis court is a dry creek river bed and is based on the principles of the fairly new phenomenon of Xeriscaping. As such, the landscape is founded on sensible horticultural principles, which help save water. In conjunction with his landscape designer, Geoff has been able to design a landscape that is easy to maintain, minimises the occurrence of weed and uses less water and fertilisers.

To read more and see images, click on the link: Xeriscape garden design

Latest trend designs using natural stacked stone

A striking façade that goes beyond visual appeal is a vital matter. This leads to the question how do you design and create a frontage that is both practical and beautiful? The latest trends in new home design feature some sort of stone wall façade, which leads to the assumption that these trends are market-driven. What do you do if you are already a home-owner and are not interested in buying a new home yet like the look of a stacked stone façade? Well, give the front of your home a facelift. With DecoR Pebble's quality and affordable range of stone wall cladding, nothing is stopping you from having a frontage that cries out "latest trend".
Click on the link below to see images of stone wall cladding applications and be inspired: stacked stone

Stylish sustainability?

Green roofs are regularly publicised for their ecological advantages, but not many people are aware of green roofs input to modern architecture. It is important to look past green roof’s ecological function and give way to design and architectural trends they bring about.
DécoR Pebble has been a major supplier of decorative pebbles and recycled crushed glass for many green roof projects, which present a great deal more to the urban scenery than simply the apparent environmental benefits. The (sad) truth is that not everyone may be inspired by these ecological benefits. As such, we need to communicate the fact that green roofs are not only aesthetically appealing, but there is also the possibility of having ‘wicked’ and uncanny green roofs, inspired by post-modern art that many of us still do not appreciate.