Planting & Softscape Design

Softscape covers the living horticultural elements of an outdoor space — planting design matched to style and site, plus turf, irrigation, and garden lighting integrated into the layout. In Byron Bay and across the Northern Rivers, landscaping needs to respond to Byron Bay’s climate: salt air near the coast, sandy soil, high rainfall, and longer dry stretches inland. Local landscaping here commonly emphasises native and subtropical planting.

For coastal and hinterland properties across Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers, this covers the softscape decisions that shape how a garden grows, functions, and lasts — from Subtropical, Mediterranean, Xeriscape, and Native planting styles to turf selection, irrigation planning, and lighting integration. Every planting plan starts with what the site can naturally support for beauty, sustainability, and a landscape that works with local conditions, using local, recycled, and eco-friendly materials where they support the broader outdoor design.

Planting Design for Outdoor Spaces

We work across many planting styles, each suited to different sites and briefs. Planting choices are made to suit site conditions, and budget.

Sub Tropical Design

Dense, layered planting built for warmth and humidity — broad-leafed species, texture, and a lush, established feel. We help you choose species that thrive locally and enhance how you use the garden, whether you want to entertain or simply relax.

See the Balinese Cabana Garden →

Mediterranean Design

Structured planting with silver and grey foliage, drought-tolerant species, and a drier, sun-hardened palette.

See Mediterranean Outdoor Living, Lennox Head →

Xeriscape Design

Low-water planting built around cactus and succulent species — architectural forms that hold up to exposed, sun-heavy Byron Bay sites with minimal irrigation once established. Agave, columnar cacti, and other drought-hardy species are selected for structure as much as water efficiency, seen across projects like the Feature Palm Entrance and the Stone & Timber Entrance Garden.

See the Feature Palm Entrance Garden →

Native Design

Native species selected for the local climate, built to handle salt exposure, are low maintenance, support local wildlife and biodiversity, and bring more life to gardens built to last.

See the Native & Exotic project →

Planting plans can also include edible plants such as herbs and fruit trees for homeowners who want a productive edible garden they’ll love.

Turf

Turf selection and installation matched to how the space is actually used — sun exposure, foot traffic, and drainage all factor into the variety chosen. Our team provides helpful guidance on the right variety for your property, the project size, and how the area will be used, with a smooth finish, tidy presentation, and drainage performance all considered in the install outcome.

See the Elegant Backyard Transformation, Ocean Shores →

Irrigation

Irrigation is planned alongside the planting design, not added after — system layout depends on plant zoning, sun exposure, and how water moves across the site. Drip lines for garden beds, separate zones for turf, and controller placement are all worked out before planting goes in the ground, so the system matches what's actually growing rather than a generic layout retrofitted around it.

Garden Lighting

Low-voltage garden and path lighting worked into the planting layout for outdoor spaces, extending the garden into the evening without overpowering it and keeping the result beautiful. It is often coordinated with nearby locally sourced stone or timber elements so the outdoor living area feels balanced and adds comfort after dark.

See the Balinese Cabana Garden →

Why Green Sky Landscapes

Same team, design to build — Plant selection and layout decisions stay consistent from the original planting plan through to what's actually installed, so what's specified is what ends up in the ground.

Site-led planting decisions — Species are chosen to suit the site's soil, sun, and salt exposure, not just the brief. Native and drought-tolerant species are used where they fit the site and budget, as part of a lower-maintenance approach to garden planting.

Local to the Byron Shire — Based in Ocean Shores, we handle planting, turf, irrigation, and garden lighting for residential landscaping projects across Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby, Lennox Head, Bangalow and the wider Northern Rivers.

We plan planting around what a site can actually support — soil, drainage, sun, and salt exposure — so gardens establish properly and hold up over time, backed by 25+ years of local landscaping experience.

FAQ

  • Both — planting plans are drawn up as part of the design process, matched to soil, sun, and site conditions before anything goes in the ground.

  • Yes, though it's more effective when planned alongside the planting layout. Retrofits are possible but generally need to work around what's already established.

  • Both, and combinations of the two. The Northern Rivers climate supports a wide range — the right mix depends on the site and the brief.

Contact us to discuss planting for your project.