Garden state

 

More homeowners here are paying greater attention to landscaping.
Tay Suan Chiang

Fri, Aug 31, 2012
The Business Times

When retiree KC Ong was designing his three-storey bungalow in Changi three years ago, he was not just concerned with the architecture of his home.

The landscaping mattered to him too. "Landscaping can create the right mood and ambience," says Mr Ong. "Without landscaping, the house is cold."

Garden State Click on thumbnail to view

Together with John Tan, landscape director of Esmond Landscape and Horticultural, they planned out where the landscaping would be for Mr Ong's home, even before the old house which stood on the land was torn down.

Mr Tan, an award-winning landscape designer says that "landscaping is no longer an afterthought; an increasing number of homeowners have landscaping in mind even when their home is still being designed". As Mr Ong wanted lush greenery fast, he asked for mature trees to be planted. His architect had to keep in mind where the trees would be, so that provisions could be made when designing the house to accommodate the trees' mature roots. The retiree says he wants to create that resort feel in his home, so he spared no expense, spending about $30,000 on the landscaping.

A special alfresco area by the living room was also built so that "I can bring the outdoors indoors and have the plants as close to us as possible", says Mr Ong. There is so much planting around the home that regardless of which room he is in, Mr Ong is able to see greenery.

Mr Ong left the choice of plants to Mr Tan, but had two requirements of the landscaping. "The plants must be able to provide shade, especially since part of the house receives a lot of sun in the afternoon," he says. "I also wanted the plants to provide privacy for the home."

From the outside, with trees flanking both sides of the house, the home is shielded from prying eyes. Along the boundary on Mr Ong's land, Mr Tan put in plants such as heliconias, frangipanis, and foxtails around the home. "The landscaping has a tropical feel and they shield the house," says Mr Tan.

Other landscaping experts that BT Weekend spoke too also agree that homeowners are paying more attention to landscaping.

Ann Teo, managing director of landscape architecture firm Coen Design says, "Homeowners seek out landscape consultants early in the planning stage, so they can better integrate the garden spaces in relation to the room planning and the house layout." She adds that "gardens are an extension of the homeowner's character, allowing them to express themselves in green volumes".

Yeong Weng Fai, associate director at DP Green, says that "the environs of the house is inextricably linked and spatially connected with the interiors - the landscape is an extension of its interiors".

DP Green is a subsidiary of DP Architects and it does landscape and arboriculture consultancy for mostly commercial and large residential projects. He adds that "with the growing sophistication of Singaporeans, they definitely are willing to spend on gardens and the lifestyle landscaping can provide".

Not satisfied with landscaping their gardens on their own, an increasing number choose to hire professionals to do it.

Take retiree FT Chui, whose 10-year-old home at Bukit Purmei recently underwent a landscape makeover. The plant lover would buy potted plants from the market and nurseries and placed them randomly in his garden. He would also build trellises to grow gourds and hang plants and there were large umbrellas in the garden. Over the years, the garden became one green mess.

Last year, he hired landscape designer Chew Seok Choon of Zen Landscape to transform his garden. Ms Chew, an 18-year landscaping veteran gave her designer touch by adding a lotus plant in an existing koi pond. She cleared away the umbrellas and planted palm trees instead to give the garden shade.

The trellises were also removed and Ms Chew chose plants such as bamboos, lantanas, and frangipanis to fill the garden. "These plants are hardy and easy to maintain," she says.

The cost of the transformation was $40,000 but Mr Chui says the returns are intangible. "The garden looks more presentable and I enjoy spending my evenings here more than before," he says.

Ms Chew says that apart from feeling tranquillity and peace in a garden, "a well-designed garden can add value to a property." She cites her client who bought a penthouse for $2.8 million and spent $160,000 on the roof garden. He later sold the penthouse for $4 million.

Regardless of whether or not homeowners spend on landscaping to increase the value of their homes, even those without large garden spaces are also getting into the landscaping act. When retiree Ng Lay Leng was househunting about four years ago, an apartment with a large balcony was a must. "We used to live in a landed home with a large garden and I knew I would miss my garden when I moved out," says Mrs Ng.

Her penthouse at West Coast comes with a large balcony garden, which Ms Chew from Zen Landscape designed. "I call this my secret garden, as friends are surprised to see such a beautiful garden when they come to the roof," says Mrs Ng. She lives with her husband, Soon Pheng, and their younger son.

The greenery, including bamboo, frangipanis, and bird's nest ferns, is placed at both ends of the balcony, so that the plants do not block Mr Ng's view when he does stargazing. "The unit also looks out onto a nearby field, so I didn't want to block the view too," says Ms Chew.

The Ngs love spending time reading in their $20,000 balcony garden, which is also a hit with their dog, Ollie, who loves to bask in the sun on the timber decking. The couple have also seen butterflies fluttering among the blooms and sunbirds have also built nests among the bamboo.

While the landscape design of a garden varies for each home, DP Green's Mr Yeong notes that there are landscaping trends. "Ten to 15 years ago it was Balinese. Current trends in landscaping are architectural, with structured planting and controlled use of plant varieties, a progression from the more minimalist styles of the last five years."

Toh Lee Hua, landscape architect at Greencrafts and Design says, "Homeowners now prefer gardens that require low-maintenance, and at the same time, are more ecological. Tropical and sub-tropical gardens are quite common too."

Coen Design's Ms Teo notes that homeowners no longer just want decorative plants. "There is a small but growing trend of clients who want a portion of their gardens to be kept for planting herbs and spices so that they have fresh produce right outside their kitchen door."

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