How to layer planting for structure and seasonal change with Nathan Burkett
Teleisha Thomas
April 2025
Award-winning landscape architect, Nathan Burkett, is known for his clean, crisp lines and artistic versatility, able to shift from classic, subtle styles right through to the more eclectic and cutting-edge.
Nathan founded Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture (NBLA) in 2003 and since then has become one of Australia’s most respected landscape architects, receiving accolades such as a Gold Medal at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show for his installation Equilibrium. Here, Nathan shares his expert advice on creating a garden that feels balanced, cohesive, and designed to evolve beautifully over time.
Buxus sempervirens ‘Box’ and Ligularia reniformis ‘Trackor Seat Plant’ | Stachys ‘Lamb’s Ear
How to layer planting for structure and seasonal change
Balancing strength with softness
Clipped forms of Laurus nobilis ‘Bay’ and Buxus sempervirens ‘Box’ provide a classic framework while softer, more textural plants like Stachys byzantina, Euphorbia wulfenii, and ornamental grasses, introduce movement and contrast. This combination ensures a garden feels both refined and inviting, with a dynamic interplay of form and foliage.
Blend of texture and colour
Soft, textural plants can play a key role in creating a lush, inviting garden while also serving practical functions like weed suppression. Velvety foliage plants such as Stachys byzantina ‘Lamb’s Ear’ add a tactile element. Layer these softer varieties with clipped hedges, compact shrubs like Raphiolepis indica, and bold, sculptural plants such as Ligularia reniformis ‘Tractor Seat’ for added depth and visual interest.
Seasonal changes
Deep garden beds allow space to incorporate large deciduous trees, which offer seasonal interest and dynamic shade. Silver Birches, Maples, or Ornamental Pears can create dappled shade in summer while revealing striking bark and sculptural forms in winter. Pairing them with perennials like Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’ ensures bursts of seasonal colour, allowing your garden to evolve beautifully throughout the year.
In Melbourne, deciduous trees provide shade in hot summers and allow sunlight to filter through during crisp winters.
Designed to thrive
Choosing climate-appropriate plants reduces maintenance and ensures a lush, vibrant look in every season. Evergreen hedging offers privacy, while drought-tolerant perennials and grasses such as Lavender, Sedum, and Calamagrostis add seasonal colour and texture.
Layering a mix of groundcovers, shrubs, and trees not only enhances visual depth but also promotes a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem. Thoughtful plant selection means less watering, pruning, and upkeep, allowing the garden to flourish with minimal intervention.
Adapting to change
Gardens are always evolving—trees grow, light conditions shift, and plantings need to adapt. As this Brighton garden has matured, we’ve adjusted the plant selection to accommodate changing sun and shade patterns. Recognising these natural shifts and making thoughtful adjustments ensures the garden continues to thrive.
For me, planting is where a garden truly comes to life. When the balance is right, it creates an atmosphere that is both beautiful and enduring.
Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture creates beautiful outdoor spaces that enhance the surrounding natural and built environments.
To discuss your next design project with Nathan, visit his website to schedule a consultation. nathanburkett.com.au
