EDIBLE KIDS' GARDENS

This inner west Sydney front garden combines formal and informal elements. Mauve flowering natives and red foliage was chosen to complement the Federation style house. Along the front fence striking Cordylines alternate with small-leafed Lilly Pillies. A Japanese Maple in front of the window will grow up to provide dappled light, privacy and seasonal interest both from within the house and from the street. New Zealand Flax and Coastal Rosemary provide form and shades of green

The "Cascade" Lilly Pilly makes for a wonderful landscape feature and native bush tucker. With lush, pink-tipped foliage and refreshing fruits, it's great for creating a kids' space and can be pruned low down to create a natural cubby house. Lilly Pillies feature in many of our backyard, school and child care centre projects. Shown here at Gosford Preschool we created a 'secret garden' within a hedge of Lilly Pillies. This is the first in a series of edible and sensory native