Aussie Landscape/ Penjing

[alpineart]

This has been a in the pipe works for a considerable amount of time,with many more to follow .From a dream to reality, after joining this forum and learning about our natives i decided to give it my best shot at producing an Aussie landscape for every State and Territory this wonderful country of ours has .Now there's no rules here but i have given 100% to what i call the "Aussie Style Landscapes".

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The tube stock used for the landscape readily available at any good nursery .

[alpineart]

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[alpineart]

After the initial curing had taken place the rocks were soaked for 48 hours in a solution of vinegar and water to neutralize the lime in the cement , then soaked in fresh water for another 48 hours . The bondcrete would have sealed them however i wanted to be sure the lime didn't effect the plants .All the colours were added {cement colours} mixed with bondcrete and added brickies sand to thicken to a smooth paintable solution

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all up red , black , brown , yellow and orange colours have been used to bring the outback tones to life .

Then there's the tray , custom made using waterproof villa board , acrylic render and galvanized steel for strength , then sealed with bondcrete before adding the colours which again were mixed using bondcrete sealer . It measures approx' 1200mm x 750mm

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[alpineart]

Dozens of combination's were tried before settling on the final design

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. The tray was filled with a layer of bonsai mix , the pots also filled and placed into position before planting out with Natives

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[alpineart]

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[alpineart]

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The next morning the finishing touches were added and it was completed

[alpineart]

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And there we have it ,"The Kimberley" Western Australia .A marathon 72 hours to construct design and complete this project , countless hours of research and a very "Special Thankyou" to a selfless individual effort for there assistance in the research / creation of this "Aussie Landscape" Cheers Alpineart

[stymie]

Good fun buddy. What varieties of plant did you eventually use?

[alpineart]

Hi Stymie , it was difficult to find W.A natives over here in the alps so i did the best i could with what i had from a local native nursery .The plants were used for there small foliage and colour are , Kunzea baxtera - Scarlet tipped Bottlebrush , Melaleuca Wilsonii - Wilson honey Myrtle , Rhagodia Spinescens -Salt bush , Leptospermum Flavenscens -Tatoon tea-tree , Melaleuca Ericafolia -Swamp Paperbark ,Angophora Costata -Smooth barked Apple , Eucalyptus Maculata - Spotted Gum , Eucalyptus Scoparia - Wallangarra White Gum , Eucalyptus Camaldulensis -River Red Gum , Eucalyptus Sideroxylon Rosea -Pink flowering Ironbark , Eucalyptus Costata- ?????? and to finish it off Anigozanthos Kangaroo Paw .All up 28 plants were used with 1 or 2 larger River Reds to be added to the little grove on the left . Not all grow in the West so i few ring ins were used .
Oh just for the record Mate i squirt it with the hose Cheers Alpine

[kcpoole]

Awesome work Alpine:-)
Will look real spectacular one the trees develop

ps, does anyone else the hill on the right looks like an erupting volcano with the tree in the top?

Ken

[Mitchell]

When the elements begin to blend, this composition will be amazing.

Keep us posted, as I am sure you can achieve wet/dry season looks to it also. Dry to a flooding Kimberly, will give it many contrasts of appearance.

[alpineart]

Hi K.C , the original concept was of the Bungle Bungles, but i bungled the bungles as they were for to large for the tray .Originally designed for a 3 piece tray 1.5M Long x 1m deep it was the rocks overpowering the trees which swayed the change of mind .

Hi Mitchell , hopefully the seasons will be represented by the foliage , colours and flowers .My little bloke said i should put a 4x4 and a camper in there along with a motorbike and a swimming hole . When his big enough to lift it he can choose his own theme . Cheers Fella's

[soda]

Hi AlpineArt

Spent part of my youth in Mt Isa and this certainly does look like some of the areas round there (granted a different state).

I look forward to one paying homage to your username and surrounding hills with interest!

[whereswally007]

Hi mate

It looks awsum, when every i plan something like this i normally put a water feature in mine but yours has a great effect and i would love to see some updates in 6months to a year later. thanks for your pics

[alpineart]

Hi Soda , the alpine region has a lot to show ,i will tackle it next.
Hi ww007 , not too much water in the Kimberley's unless its flooding . The next project will have a water feature .
Cheers Guys