| Location | | | | structures and outdoor furniture and always the |
| Subtropical City in Southeast Queensland, Australia. | | | | BBQ. Shade is essential to protect from the |
| Latitude 27 degrees 42 minutes south. Same | | | | baking summer sun and high humidity. Specifically |
| latitude as Los Angeles, New Delhi, Osaka, | | | | built huts or pavilions are ideal for entertainment |
| Kathmandu. | | | | and relaxation. Some simple structures may even |
| Similar Places | | | | double as a bedroom on hot summer nights, with |
| Florida (in the USA), natal district (South Africa) | | | | the addition of mosquito netting. Other possibilities |
| and regions of South America, plus numerous | | | | include wooden bridges, timber seating, fountains, |
| locations in Asia, and the Pacific Ocean, have sub | | | | bamboo screens, and paved courtyards. |
| tropical climate. Each location exhibits climate | | | | Plants |
| variations such as the dry sub topics, or the wet | | | | The subtropical climate allows for a huge plant |
| sub tropics. | | | | choice in the garden, from temperate to tropical, |
| Climate | | | | arid to rainforest. Lush, leafy species are easy to |
| Temperature: Summer average 25.4 C; Winter | | | | grow if water is available some suggestions being: |
| 15.7C | | | | Aroids, heliconias, frangipanis, gingers, palms, |
| Rainfall: 1200mm/yr | | | | philodendrons, cordylines, epiphytes including |
| Wind: average 10 - 18 km/hr | | | | staghorn ferns, orchids, and tillandsias and |
| Humidity: Yearly average 60 - 70% | | | | spectacular flowering tree species such as |
| The climate tends to have a hot and humid | | | | jacaranda and poinsiana. However, if water is a |
| summer with predominant storms and rainfall in | | | | major concern then Australian natives are the |
| later summer and early autumn. Winter tends to | | | | best choice. |
| be cool with the occasional zero degrees Celsius | | | | Soils |
| occurring in the 'western suburbs' and nearby | | | | Brisbane has 3 main types of soils: |
| Ipswich city. Rainfall in winter is minimal resulting in | | | | · Loam consisting of fine clay, sand and |
| the fire season associated with winter. Water | | | | organic matter. These are the predominant alluvial |
| conservation is important throughout the winter, | | | | soils of the Brisbane River floodplain and other |
| spring and early summer months for best | | | | creeks |
| gardening results. Brisbane is surrounded by the | | | | · Heavy clays. These are found in |
| cooler highland zones of Toowoomba, Mount | | | | elevated areas and as landfill in new homes. They |
| Tamborine, Maleny and the Great Dividing Range. | | | | may require plenty of conditioning with gypsum to |
| These zones are more warm-temperate, with the | | | | break them up and aerate them. |
| ability to grow subtropical species. | | | | · Gravely, granitic soils with good drainage |
| Lifestyle | | | | but poor in nutrients. |
| Brisbane is probably one of the most amenable | | | | Most soils around Brisbane are low in boron and |
| climates of any city in the world. It has more | | | | magnesium and most Australian soils are low in |
| sunny days than Florida and is warmer than the | | | | potash and zinc.The easiest and safest way to |
| Bahamas. Mild winters and hot summers make | | | | supplement all these nutrients and to stimulate |
| indoors and outdoors flow into each other and the | | | | healthy, living soil at the same time is to use |
| people of Brisbane spend much of their leisure | | | | seaweed fertiliser. Fish & Kelp is useful |
| time in their gardens. The climate is a haven for | | | | because the calcium in the fish helps plants to |
| lush tropical gardens with phenomenal plant | | | | absorb phosphorous in seaweed more effectively. |
| growth and landscaping possibilities. A big part of | | | | Water |
| design is to create airflow and shade to cool the | | | | Increasingly Brisbane is experiencing water |
| living spaces. | | | | shortages and restrictions and unless you have |
| Architecture | | | | access to tank water or bore water for your |
| Home types: | | | | garden don't plant thirsty plants that rely on |
| · The Queenslander - a traditional wooden | | | | irrigation or sprinklers. There are several solutions |
| home , with timber walls and floors, tin roof and | | | | to water capture including rainwater tanks which |
| surrounded by verandahs. Built in this style until | | | | come in a huge variety of sizes and shapes to fit |
| mid-1930s, Queenslanders are built on stumps to | | | | in most areas in a backyard. Water can be |
| increase airflow around the house. They define | | | | captured from the overflow of air conditioners, |
| the character of older suburbs and lend | | | | hotwater tanks, and grey water systems |
| themselves to elaborate, large gardens that you | | | | attached to your shower or washing machine. |
| look down into from the verandahs. | | | | Water conservation is aided by heavily mulching |
| · Worker's cottage - very similar to a | | | | gardens. For this a variety of mulches are |
| Queenslander home but smaller, with usually only | | | | available from T-tree, pine bark, hardwood chips |
| a verandah at the front. Less ornate finishes and | | | | and recycled green waste available from tree |
| usually on a smaller parcel of land than the | | | | loppers. T-tree is one of the best looking mulches, |
| Queenslander they nevertheless have great | | | | somewhat more expensive though. A good |
| capacity for landscaping | | | | combination is cheaper green waste with a top |
| · Brick home - common in Brisbane | | | | layer of T-tree. Gravel makes an ideal mulch for |
| suburbs established in the 1970s. Common | | | | arid plants and close to buildings. It requires less |
| features are a tiled roof, garage, aluminium | | | | maintenance, holds heat and avoids the problem |
| windows, fly screens and security. Swimming | | | | of mold and fungus on painted walls. |
| pools are common. Gardens tend to be smaller | | | | Energy |
| and natural soils poorer. A different approach to | | | | Brisbane has a daily average of 7 hours of |
| gardens is necessary to add height without clutter | | | | sunshine over the year, making solar technology a |
| and well placed palms, cycads, epiphytes and | | | | wise ingredient in the garden for powering lights, |
| flowering bushes can make a huge difference. | | | | solar pumps and of course solar hot water. |
| Structures | | | | More devices in the garden means more energy |
| Outdoor living incorporates decks, pools, ponds, | | | | consumption, which is contrary to good gardening, |
| waterfalls, pergolas and a variety of shade | | | | so think clearly about alternative power sources. |