Book Review: 'Disobedient Gardens' by Michael Cooke
Take a closer look at some of this landscape designer's projects, and delve into the stories behind them
Instead of opting for the meticulously manicured garden, why not let Mother Nature take over and watch her flourish in all her glory? This is the idea behind landscape designer Michael Cooke’s style of design. “A disobedient garden has an air of wildness about it, which is far from neglected and unloved; it’s allowed to grow, bloom and fade with the seasons, whilst the observer appreciates the garden’s natural beauty,” Cooke says.
His latest book, Disobedient Gardens: Landscapes of Contrast & Contradiction, explores five projects that best demonstrate this concept, including his own outdoor retreat on NSW’s Central Coast. Accompanied by beautiful photography by Brigid Arnott, it is a wonderful source of information for those wanting to let their gardens go a little wild. We sat down with Cooke to find out more about his green thumb and some of his favourite projects.
His latest book, Disobedient Gardens: Landscapes of Contrast & Contradiction, explores five projects that best demonstrate this concept, including his own outdoor retreat on NSW’s Central Coast. Accompanied by beautiful photography by Brigid Arnott, it is a wonderful source of information for those wanting to let their gardens go a little wild. We sat down with Cooke to find out more about his green thumb and some of his favourite projects.
What he loves most about this disobedient garden is how it can still surprise him. “I love the ever-changing seasonal variations within the garden that occur without my intervention,” he says. “Each day something new surprises me.” Cooke constantly adds new plants to the landscape and keeps a diary to keep track of the newbies. Fig trees grow across the property as well as manicured hawthorn (Crataegus) hedge, which is what the property is named after.
The roses pictured above are a beautiful feature of Cooke’s garden. He was given them by a friend, but he says he doesn’t have a name for them. They flower once every spring and are pruned and tamed every winter.
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The roses pictured above are a beautiful feature of Cooke’s garden. He was given them by a friend, but he says he doesn’t have a name for them. They flower once every spring and are pruned and tamed every winter.
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Parkmount
While Cooke’s garden allows him to set his own rules, he works closely with his clients to ensure they too get to have their dream space. “I ask what they are hoping for – I am there to help realise their dream, not my own,” he says. Parkmount is located a few hours from Sydney.
The owners had recently bought an 1840s Georgian timber home and needed Cooke’s help to curate the garden. This magical outdoor space seems to blend effortlessly with the pastureland just beyond the property fencing. Two Illawarra figs (Ficus rubiginosa) were original mature trees that Cooke says “gave the garden a feeling of belonging and timelessness”.
The homeowners were keen to have more hedging and structural plants, as Cooke says they believed less variety would mean less maintenance. Another key aspect to the design was the entrance; there was quite a distance between the entrance gates and the home. Cooke made it feel safer and within closer proximity by adding a drystone wall. Hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) and bunya pines (Araucaria bidwillii) were also planted along the driveway.
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While Cooke’s garden allows him to set his own rules, he works closely with his clients to ensure they too get to have their dream space. “I ask what they are hoping for – I am there to help realise their dream, not my own,” he says. Parkmount is located a few hours from Sydney.
The owners had recently bought an 1840s Georgian timber home and needed Cooke’s help to curate the garden. This magical outdoor space seems to blend effortlessly with the pastureland just beyond the property fencing. Two Illawarra figs (Ficus rubiginosa) were original mature trees that Cooke says “gave the garden a feeling of belonging and timelessness”.
The homeowners were keen to have more hedging and structural plants, as Cooke says they believed less variety would mean less maintenance. Another key aspect to the design was the entrance; there was quite a distance between the entrance gates and the home. Cooke made it feel safer and within closer proximity by adding a drystone wall. Hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) and bunya pines (Araucaria bidwillii) were also planted along the driveway.
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Valleyfield
Cooke describes this project as being full of warmth and restfulness. The garden also embraces art, with sculptures placed throughout the garden.
Located a couple of hours away from Newcastle, the two cottages on the property have beautiful outlooks and the garden plays a huge role in this. The bathroom, with the pod-shaped bath and floor-to-ceiling windows, provided the perfect opportunity for Cooke to enhance the soothing view. He planted hiawatha feather grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Hiawatha’) en masse just outside the bathroom. He chose this plant because he knew it would flower and change foliage, and look beautiful year-round. The surrounding natural countryside provides a seamless backdrop.
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Cooke describes this project as being full of warmth and restfulness. The garden also embraces art, with sculptures placed throughout the garden.
Located a couple of hours away from Newcastle, the two cottages on the property have beautiful outlooks and the garden plays a huge role in this. The bathroom, with the pod-shaped bath and floor-to-ceiling windows, provided the perfect opportunity for Cooke to enhance the soothing view. He planted hiawatha feather grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Hiawatha’) en masse just outside the bathroom. He chose this plant because he knew it would flower and change foliage, and look beautiful year-round. The surrounding natural countryside provides a seamless backdrop.
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Wirra Willa
Cooke had previously worked with the homeowner of this property on other projects, but says this one in rural NSW is his favourite of the bunch. Together, they continue to add to what’s already there, allowing a visible evolution to take place. It is a mix of old and new and “is wild in places yet naturalistic in others,” says Cooke.
One of the most impressive features is the lake, which the house overlooks. While it may look effortless, Cooke actually had to drain it in order to shape contours along the bank.
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Cooke had previously worked with the homeowner of this property on other projects, but says this one in rural NSW is his favourite of the bunch. Together, they continue to add to what’s already there, allowing a visible evolution to take place. It is a mix of old and new and “is wild in places yet naturalistic in others,” says Cooke.
One of the most impressive features is the lake, which the house overlooks. While it may look effortless, Cooke actually had to drain it in order to shape contours along the bank.
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Eastcote
Located in the NSW’s Blue Mountains, Eastcote is a secluded property with no town power, water or shops in close proximity. The homeowner was keen to establish a working relationship with Cooke, so continuous and loving care was put into the garden. The garden was originally planted in the 1920s, but Cooke says it was in need of some colour, formality and an increase in the existing horticulture.
What’s most beautiful about this garden is its distinct European feel, as the cooler temperatures mean cool-climate plants thrive. Some of these include flowering cherry, ancient conifers and towering beech.
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Located in the NSW’s Blue Mountains, Eastcote is a secluded property with no town power, water or shops in close proximity. The homeowner was keen to establish a working relationship with Cooke, so continuous and loving care was put into the garden. The garden was originally planted in the 1920s, but Cooke says it was in need of some colour, formality and an increase in the existing horticulture.
What’s most beautiful about this garden is its distinct European feel, as the cooler temperatures mean cool-climate plants thrive. Some of these include flowering cherry, ancient conifers and towering beech.
See more of this garden
As for advice for others wanting their own disobedient garden, Cooke says: “relax and enjoy, be observant, be appreciative and never stop learning.”
Images from ‘Disobedient Gardens’ by Michael Cooke and Brigid Arnott (Murdoch Books, AU$59.99).
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Do you have a disobedient garden? We would love to see it. Simply post a photo in the Comments section.
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Images from ‘Disobedient Gardens’ by Michael Cooke and Brigid Arnott (Murdoch Books, AU$59.99).
SHOW US
Do you have a disobedient garden? We would love to see it. Simply post a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more garden ideas
Hawthorne
Cooke’s own garden, located on NSW’s Central Coast, features in the book. Since moving to the property in 1989, his garden has slowly grown into a place Cooke and his family love spending their time. It is also his favourite project, and he says he brings a slice of it into every other garden he designs.