Every now and then, as a garden designer, you come across a property that feels less like a job and more like a privilege. 8 Rock Loddon in leafy Frankston South is one of those rare places.
The moment I first walked up the driveway, I knew this garden would become the soul of the home. Before anyone even steps inside, the landscape sets the tone; mature trees, layered plantings, flowing curves, and a sense of calm that only comes from thoughtful, intentional design.
But what I love most about this project isn’t just how it looks…It’s how it lives.
Hear from the owners as they talk about how the garden enhances their day-to-day living:
A Garden Designed for Arrival, Welcome & Wonder
The front garden creates a soft, leafy welcome, opening into a spacious entry that draws the eye straight out to the rear lawn and pool area. Light pours through both ends of the home, guiding people naturally toward the views.
A well-designed garden doesn’t just frame the home, it pulls people through it. In this garden, the landscape acts as a sequence: a beautiful driveway arrival, a lush foreground, and then a surprising reveal of open space and distant greenery.
Multiple Garden Destinations, One Cohesive Space
One of the owner’s favourite features is something we intentionally built into the design: choice.
“Depending on the weather and the season, we always ask each other, front or back?”
The garden offers distinct places to sit, talk, unwind, or simply observe.
- A shaded morning spot under the fig tree: perfect for coffee.
- A cooler, breezy front lawn: ideal for warm summer evenings.
- Private garden pockets: places to read, think, or chat away from the main entertaining areas.
- A pool-side zone: the hero of long summer days and weekend gatherings.
Great garden design allows a family to move through their outdoor spaces the same way they move through the house, intuitively, naturally, and with comfort.
Entertaining With Ease: The Pool, Patio & Garden Integration
This summer, the owners say the pool area has been the highlight. That doesn’t surprise me, it was designed for effortless entertaining.
From the pool, guests can:
- Move easily to the kitchen
- Gather on the patio
- Step down onto the lawn
- Or head into the main living zone through wide, open doors
Everything is connected, accessible, and welcoming. A great outdoor area doesn’t just look stunning, it functions beautifully.
Designing Gardens That Work for Real Life
What makes this garden special isn’t its size or grandeur, it’s the thought behind every space:
- Sun and shade considered at every hour
- Natural flow between indoor and outdoor areas
- Multiple zones for different moods and seasons
- Mature plantings offering structure, softness, and privacy
- Vista lines that invite you deeper into the landscape
This is a garden designed to be lived in, from quiet morning coffees to Christmas lunches, from everyday family moments to once-in-a-lifetime celebrations. As a designer, that’s the greatest compliment a garden can receive.
Want a Garden That Supports the Way You Live?
If you’re inspired by the story behind 8 Rock Loddon and dream of a garden that’s beautiful, functional, and deeply personal, we’d love to help. Whether you’re building from scratch, renovating an established property, or wanting to transform unused outdoor space into something extraordinary, a thoughtful garden design changes how you live every single day.
Let’s create a landscape that feels like home, contact Clive to discuss your dream garden.
