Mornington Peninsula Coastal Garden
A layered, resilient coastal garden designed to withstand harsh salt winds and seasonal extremes. This Mornington Peninsula property features a curated tree and shrub palette focused on longevity, structure, and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.
Set on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula with sweeping bay views, this coastal garden was designed to look refined year round while holding its own against wind, salt and seasonal extremes. The result is a layered landscape with strong structure, softened edges and a planting approach that complements bold architecture without competing with it.
Site Conditions
Coastal exposure: Strong winds, salt-laden air and full sun
Soil type: Sandy, free-draining, with minimal organic content
Maintenance requirement: Low intervention, high structure
Existing Features
Mature Moonah trees (Melaleuca lanceolata) were retained along the clifftop. Sculptural and resilient, they anchor the landscape, provide a natural windbreak and bring an established coastal character that the new layers could respond to.
Design Intent
Privacy without blocking views: Screening and definition where needed, while preserving open sightlines to the bay.
Softness against strong architecture: Layering and movement to counterbalance sharp built forms.
Longevity in exposure: A palette selected for resilience in wind, salt and free-draining soils, with minimal ongoing intervention.
Year-round structure: Consistent form and shape across seasons to keep the garden looking finished and composed.
Credits
Design and install by A Beckingsale Landscapes. Photography by Spacecraft. Trees supplied by Evergreen Trees Direct.
Trees & Plants Used
Feature Tree
Olea europaea
Olive Tree
Positioned as focal feature trees at entry and lawn zones, their sculptural silver-grey form echoes the coast and adds timeless Mediterranean character.
Shop Olea europaea →
Boundary Screening
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'
Bay Tree
Clipped as boundary screening for vertical definition along edges, providing privacy without blocking views and thriving in salt-laden wind.
Shop Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' →
Existing Windbreak
Melaleuca lanceolata
Moonah Tree
Mature Moonah retained along the clifftop, anchoring the landscape as a natural windbreak and bringing established coastal character.
Shop Melaleuca lanceolata →
Understorey Shrub
Westringia fruticosa
Coastal Rosemary
Used as low maintenance understorey, its soft grey foliage thrives in sandy soils and wind, adding texture beneath the feature trees.
Shop Westringia fruticosa →
Understorey Shrub
Correa alba
White Correa
Layered through the understorey for coastal-tolerant texture and habitat value, reinforcing the garden's resilient palette.
Shop Correa alba →
Coastal Tree
Leptospermum laevigatum
Coastal Tea Tree
A hardy coastal tea tree adding sculptural form and movement, well suited to the exposed, free-draining site.
Shop Leptospermum laevigatum →
Comments