build Corten trellis
BRENDAN MOAR’S CONTEMPORARY DESIGN WITH
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
W
hen Australian garden designer Brendan Moar was charged with designing a contemporary and sustainable garden on a steep slope, the materials he chose became just as important as the plants in the overall scheme. Moar describes below how he used gabions, composite railroad ties (sleepers), and corten steel to achieve a modern look. GABIONS Gabions are traditionally constructed from galvanised mesh cages that are filled with rocks or stones. They are 42
LEAF MAGAZINE
autumn 2012
Corten steppers
used frequently along freeways to retain embankments. Gabions make very effective and relatively inexpensive retaining walls, as they allow water to pass through them freely. Our gabions are a variation on the traditional approach. They were con-
Brendan Moar’s book, Green, is based on his popular Australian television show, Dry Spell Gardening