Outdoors Q&A: Landscape architect and horticulturalist Karen Ruthven
Sydney-based landscape architect and horticulturalist Karen Ruthven, 30, works with progressive design firm 360 Degrees.
First garden memory? My grandparents' garden in Adelaide. My parents' garden was minimal, mostly lawn, so when I travelled to see my grandparents I was fascinated by their vegie gardens and flowering beds – not only by all the plants but also the care they required.
Who inspires you? My clients Justin and Bettina Hemmes from Merivale, who are always striving for the best design outcome. My colleague Daniel Baffsky, too; he's encouraged me to develop my design skills and explore my passion for plants.
Plant loves? Working with contrasts in foliage based on colour, form and texture. For example, I love mixing cacti such as blue torch cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus) and Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus hildmannianus) with softer traditional green-leafed shrubs like gardenias, buxus and rosemary.
Plant hates? There are a few I'm reluctant to work with – Duranta "Sheena's Gold" or Photinia, for example – but I'm trying to be more open-minded. In the right context, combined with something complementary, even nandina and agapanthus can be reassessed.
Garden inspiration? The native bushland around Sydney. Garden-wise, the northern Californian landscapes of Bernard Trainor.
Proudest garden moment? My work at The Newport hotel, on Sydney's northern beaches (above) for Merivale. People previously gravitated towards the water's edge; by creating varying garden spaces, they're now happy to sit throughout the venue.
Design disaster? Probably my parents' garden; it's still not much more than lawn.
What are you working on? A lot! Hospital projects, multi-residential developments, hotels, an art gallery in inner-Sydney Chippendale and a handful of private gardens.
Who would you particularly love to collaborate with? Piet Oudolf. He's an artist of planted landscapes, painting with grasses, flowers and shrubs. Even his planting plans are works of art.