AusBonsai

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

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 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

Dozens of combination's were tried before settling on the final design. The tray was filled with a layer of bonsai mix , the pots also filled and placed into position before planting out with Natives

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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