Landscape Project Showcase: Newport Coastal Oasis

Amidst Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this Newport residential landscape project seamlessly blends resort-style luxury with a relaxed coastal aesthetic. Designed and constructed by Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture, the garden was transformed from a challenging sloping site into a lush botanical retreat that balances privacy, functionality and connection to the surrounding native environment.

The result is a beautifully zoned landscape that feels both tropical and distinctly Australian, perfectly suited to its coastal setting.

The Brief

The vision for the Newport property was to create two distinct garden zones that would complement both the home and its natural surroundings.

The front garden was designed as a dense subtropical sanctuary, providing immediate privacy from the street through layered planting and architectural foliage. At the same time, a dedicated native woodland corner was created to connect with the property’s established mature native trees, celebrating the character of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Given the property’s steep slope and coastal location, several key considerations needed to be addressed throughout the design and construction process. Water runoff management, salt-laden coastal winds, intense summer sun and challenging soil conditions all played a significant role in the plant selection and landscape engineering.

Plant Palette

The Subtropical Privacy Sanctuary

To create an instant sense of enclosure and resort-style luxury, Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture selected a layered planting palette of robust tropical species that thrive in coastal environments.

The canopy layer features stately Cabbage Tree Palms (Livistona australis), Foxtail Palms and Kentia Palms, strategically positioned to provide immediate screening and soften views from the street.

The mid-storey introduces bold architectural interest through Strelitzias, Elephant Ears (Alocasia) and Alpinias (Gingers), creating lush texture throughout the garden beds.

Understory planting includes vibrant Red Bromeliads, Xanadus, Liriopes and Birds Nest Ferns, adding colour, depth and year-round visual appeal.

The Native Woodland Corner

The native garden zone was carefully designed to honour the magnificent mature Spotted Gums and Bottlebrushes already established on the property.

Dwarf Eucalyptus trees provide soft movement and structural form without overwhelming the space, while Westringia (Coastal Rosemary) and Blue Grass offer texture and resilience against coastal conditions.

Red Kangaroo Paws introduce vibrant seasonal colour while attracting local birdlife, further enhancing the garden’s connection to the surrounding landscape.

Hero Plants

Several standout species anchor the design and bring the landscape together.

Clusters of Dwarf Eucalyptus trees provide an elegant Australian woodland feel, while the structural Cabbage Tree Palms create immediate impact and complement the property’s coastal setting. Australian Tree Ferns add a lush, layered quality beneath the canopy planting.

Perhaps the greatest feature of the garden, however, is the existing stand of magnificent 100-year-old Bangalow Palms. Rather than competing with these towering specimens, the new planting palette was thoughtfully selected to frame and celebrate them, creating a rich tapestry of textures and forms beneath their established canopy.

Thoughtful Design

Every plant was selected with purpose.

The native selections were chosen to create ecological continuity between the formal landscaped areas and the property’s existing bushland character. The Cabbage Tree Palms were specified not only for their ability to withstand coastal conditions but also for their visual relationship with the mature Bangalow Palms.

Similarly, the Dwarf Eucalyptus trees echo the colours and textures of the site’s mature Spotted Gums, delivering the beauty of an Australian woodland canopy at a more manageable garden scale.

Challenges and Construction

The project took approximately three months to complete, from initial demolition through to the final plant installation.

Working on a steep Northern Beaches site presented several construction challenges. Significant water runoff during heavy coastal rain events created pooling in lower sections of the garden, requiring extensive ground preparation and the installation of sub-surface drainage systems to ensure long-term performance.

Beneath the sandy topsoil lay buried construction debris and sandstone rubble, making site preparation particularly labour-intensive. Extensive excavation works were undertaken to establish a deep, organic-rich soil profile capable of supporting advanced three-metre screening trees and encouraging strong root development.

To complement the planting design, Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture incorporated tiered Corten steel retaining walls, a custom-built travertine letterbox and elegant Ivory Travertine crazy paving pathways, adding warmth and structure throughout the landscape.

Landscape Transformation

What was once an uneven and challenging site has been transformed into a highly functional and beautifully layered coastal garden retreat.

The clients were thrilled with the visual transformation and the sense of privacy created throughout the space.

“Jake and his team are legends! Jake came up with an exceptional design and thought of all the little details to get the job done to the highest quality level. The team were so diligent to take care of all the details and ensure that we were stoked on the result. Highly recommend. Look no further.”

For the Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture team, the project stands as a testament to thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and meticulous site preparation.

Working with Alpine Nurseries

Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture has partnered with Alpine Nurseries across numerous projects over the years, relying on their plant knowledge, quality stock and exceptional service.

“The team at Alpine were amazing to work with. Their communication was great from day one, which kept everything moving smoothly across the duration of the project. Whenever a specific plant variety wasn’t available or was out of season, they immediately came back to us with excellent alternatives that fit the design perfectly. It made sourcing the palette incredibly straightforward.”

Reliable delivery schedules and access to quality plant material helped ensure a seamless finish to this rewarding project.

Before

After

Website: https://www.magnolialandscapes.com.au
Instagram: @magnolia_landscapes_
Facebook: Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture
Project Location: Newport, NSW
Landscape: Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture
Design/Construction: Magnolia Landscapes & Horticulture
Plants Supplied By: Alpine Nurseries