The Berry Courthouse

The Berry Courthouse

The Xeriscape Garden

This interesting new concept in the careful use and management of water was developed by Shoal Water with the assistance of the Court House Conservation Committee. The design was drawn up by Canberra Landscape Architect, Niel Hobbs, and is based on a similar concept in operation at Woden, a suburb of Canberra.

All water usage on the site will be carefully managed and monitored and is part of an overall vision of the Committee to install a solar energy and generation system. Additionally it is proposed to develop an integrated computer program to monitor all aspects of energy and water collection.

This computer system will provide a useful tool for educational purposes and an information resource for school children, students and gardeners alike. This project will the historic Berry Court House into the 21st millennium and beyond.

The principles of Xeriscape are simple :-

  1. Design and plan your garden.
  2. Know your soil.
  3. Select appropriate plants.
  4. Be practical with the amount of lawn.
  5. Use water only as required.
  6. Mulch gardens.
  7. Carry out necessary maintenance.

The landscape plan for the Court House xeriscape garden is divided into sections for easy reference and identification, and include accent plantings of shrubs and ground covers to add colour as well as a variety of annuals.

These sections have been selected to illustrate the purpose behind xeriscape and include :-

  • Silver/gray foliage garden.
  • Architectural foliage garden.
  • Rose and Citrus garden.
  • Fragrant garden.
Copyright ©2006 The Berry Courthouse Conservation Committee Inc.