An Australian Landscape

[Mitchell]

Thought I would start a thread in which I can show, the progression of an attempted Australian landscape. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to capture all the elements i'm looking to include, but today made the first step of purchasing some filling stock. Later I will add a few select more mature trees.

In order to capture as much of the vastly diversified landscape as possible, I decided to go with as many varieties as possible... I am going to keep with the theme of all different plants, yet combining the types to mimic certain regions.

I am thinking from left to right
arid/desert, temperate/rainforest, coastal/wetlands

It will be constructed on a 4 foot by 1 1/2 foot piece of re-enforced villa board.

Here are the plants so far.
I'll post the names later. You'll note, all seedling stock, I want to plant and develop it as a setting over many years.

[Mitchell]

From Left to right.

Poa Labillaridieri- Large tussock grass
Eucalyptus Cladocalyx nan- Dwarf sugar gum
Eucalyptus Curtisii- Plunkett mallet
Eucalyptus Resinifera- Red Stringy bark
Eucalyptus Leucoxylon Rosea- Pink flowered white ironbark
Melaleuca Nesophilia- Western tea myrtle
Melaleuca Thymifolia
Angophora Bakeri
Melaleuca Armillaris- Brancelet honey myrtle
Melaleuca Laterita- Robin red breast
Callistimon Viminalis- Weeping bottle brush
Callistimon Injune
Pennisetum Alopecuroides- Swamp foxtail grass
Isolepsis Nodosa- Knobby clubrush



Now to start planning out their positioning and relevance to specific climate zones.

I'm thinking cal's bordering temperate and coastal region next to Mel's overhanging water and on the bank reeds/water grasses. The euc's will be central and be positioned representing temperate. Apart from the grasses I'm a bit lost as to what I could have on the extreme left to represent arid/desert.


Here a bit of a colour representation, of what I am thinking. I'm still just working out left to right, not individual tree placement. The original shot of trees and list is where I am at now. I am sure I have it totally wrong, feel free to re-arrange my list. Arid at the top, temperate, then coastal/wetland. I think I need more variety to choose from.

I'd appreciate you thoughts on placement. I know the selection isn't huge, but I'll try and get more to work with.... Maybe I should be thinking 6 foot long, I don't want to do a region injustice.

[Mitchell]

What are golden thirds I hear you ask? It is a practice used commonly in photography and something I believe that has been utilized extensively in bonsai for hundreds of years, but never really discussed.

"The concept is based around perception and how we first enter a composition. The rule of golden thirds deals predominantly with creating a situation, in which it has key points positioned in the frame at 1/3rd of the total viewed area.

It is a natural rule in nature, and a general guideline in photography. But here is the actual reason that this technique naturally improves an image:

Rule of thirds = 1/3, with 2/3 remaining on the other side of your subject. 2/3 = .6 = natural number.

The rule of thirds is originally known as “the golden mean”, and was first found by Fibonacci. He was collecting data from rabbit population, and found they increase like this:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21, etc. (always adding the previous number). Take any of these numbers and divide them = .6

This number can be found in thousands of places. Space galaxies, your DNA, flower petals, and tons more! Even the greeks used it building structures to compliment nature. The width of their temples would always be .6 of the length of the temple."


Here is a quick view of my desired tray. The red dots are keys points the blue dots are subsidiary.

[Jarrod]

You might find this interesting. http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATGold ... ction.html

[Mitchell]

Decided to throw together a much smaller landscape than intended. Still planning on a big one, but since my back doesn't seem to be getting any better, I may be wise to not create the UN-movable.

Here is the complete list of plants in a over-crowded setting. I have an image in mind of a heavily wooded creek bank with lush under growth. I have still decided to split eucs on one side and mels on the other. Not sure how that will work.

Still contemplating plant positions. I know this is not good landscape practice but it is the image I want to represent whether right or wrong.
I have 6 types of native moss and 3 lichens to transplant, a couple of rocks, some miniature ferns etc etc etc.

Should be a few hours work getting the ground cover right.

Any thoughts?


Edit- Woops, found another mel, i'll use it to over hang the creek as it has nice little sideways growing branches.
Obviously that grass will be trimmed right down till it's proportional to the trees.

[Mitchell]

Some progression shots on the under growth placement.

A note should be made, that although these are mere seedlings, Aus natives especially Euc's show an extraordinary amount of twists turns, gnarls and knobs at such an immature size.

[Mitchell]

I've always had an obsession with undergrowth, probably equal to my love of trees.
I'll take some better shots later, but I have finally been able to grow two miniature native ferns at home. The fern visible is a large variety the mini's are being planted under its foliage as a fern garden within the landscape.


I am starting to become happy with the perspective and bend in the creek. Not sure it it should be a creek or a track, but I am pleased the angle of the turns mean the backside of them and next section is out of view, hopefully this will drag the viewer in to see whats around the bend. I may just lay some sand and let the viewer decide.

Edit- here is one type of the mini ferns.

[Mitchell]

A few more update shots. Not too sure about the white sand... Might try and get some yellow. Though I actually like the starkness, contrasting the greens.


Now to think about branch structure and thinning. It may seem like a backwards approach of placing trees first, but I can never envisage the final image until placement.

[Mitchell]

Shot with a blank backdrop.

I keep wanting to set it on fire.

To stimulate backbudding, not because I don't like it.

[tr3nt29]

Really beautiful work, and a very pleasing image, o, i think i feel some inspiration coming on.

[Fish]

This is going to look absolutely awesome, It sounds like you have put a lot of effort into the planning, Cant wait to see the end result.

[Ash Barns]

What a great start you have made Mitchell. I actually like the white sand, wonderful contrast indeed. The design has a rainforest feel to it, full of lush growth. This will be brilliant as it matures.

[Mitchell]

Thanks tr3nt29 and Fish, It's not perfect by any means, but for my first landscape i'm happy with the progress thus far.

Ash, yes it's a nice setting, now it just needs a few years worth of attention to get it to really be convincing.


I am also very pleased, as this is my first composition of all Aus natives. Can't wait to blow torch them and see how they react... great fun.

[MattA]

Would love to see & hear how this landscape has progressed.

Matt

[Hornet]

I think it looks great. I'm not sure how yoll go with keeping the ferns and grasses in proportion but if you cant there are some very mini grasses you could try. Keep us updated