Strata landscaping has a tricky brief: it needs to look sharp for owners and tenants, suit a shared budget, and — above all — not turn into an ongoing maintenance headache. Get the design right from the start and the common areas will look good year-round while keeping levies in check. Here's how we approach low-maintenance strata landscapes in Perth.

Start with the right plants

Plant choice is where most maintenance costs are won or lost. For Perth strata, that means hardy, waterwise natives and proven performers that look after themselves:

  • Structural natives like lomandra, dianella, westringia and dwarf grevillea that hold their shape with minimal pruning.
  • Groundcovers that knit together to smother weeds rather than leaving bare, weedy gaps.
  • A limited palette repeated through the complex — it looks deliberate and designed, and it's far simpler to maintain than a mixed bag.

Avoid thirsty, fast-growing or messy species that mean constant pruning, leaf litter and complaints.

Cut the lawn back (but keep some)

Turf is the thirstiest, highest-maintenance surface in any complex. Keep lawn where it earns its place — a shared courtyard or kids' play area — and replace marginal strips and awkward corners with mulched garden beds or groundcovers. Less mowing, less water, fewer edges to whipper-snip.

Mulch everything

A thick, chunky mulch across all beds is the hardest-working, cheapest maintenance tool there is. It suppresses weeds, holds moisture, keeps roots cool and gives the whole property a tidy, finished look. Budget to top it up each year.

Water smart with drip

Common property is exactly where inline drip irrigation shines — water goes straight to the roots, there's no overspray onto paths and parking, and it's efficient on Perth's two-day roster. Pair it with a smart controller and rain sensor and you're not paying to water in the rain.

Design for access and safety

Low-maintenance also means practical: clear sightlines at driveways, no trip hazards on shared paths, mowing strips along fences and edges, and easy access for maintenance crews. Designing these in from the start saves money for years.

Make the budget predictable

The real win for a strata council is predictable cost. A waterwise design plus a scheduled maintenance program means no nasty surprises — just a tidy property and a single contractor to deal with.

We design, install and maintain strata and common-property landscapes across Perth, working in with committees and managers on budget and reporting. Get in touch to talk through your complex.