Stormwater from the roof is directed through the garden along a shallow drainage line and many moisture loving plants grow here.  This small footbridge is made from recycled timbers. 

The garden has attracted a range of wildlife since it was established in 2004, helped by it's location, mostly surrounded by the parklands of the Merri Creek in outer-urban Fawkner.

Invertebrates that make use of the long grassland habitat include purple-winged mantids, several cricket species, butterflies including the Dispar skipper, Saltbush (Chequered) Blue and White-brand Grass Dart Skipper, several types of native bee and grasshoppers. 

At left is a pair of tiny, spiny Hispellinus beetles.  The larvae feed inside the stems of Kangaroo Grass and Mat Grass (Hemarthria uncinata).  Adults emerge in summer, often perching on the flowering culms of the food plant. 

After windstorms blew out the top of an ill-placed Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta), I killed the tree by stem injection.  The tree has been more attractive to wildlife dead than it ever was when alive, becoming a powerful magnet for birdlife.  It is a a lookout, basking spot and even a hunting ground for birds incessantly inspecting the peeling bark and crevices. 

A water dish is maintained near the dead tree which is kept full and clean at all times in summer. Several young Blackwoods and Lightwoods planted nearby have rapidly grown, creating shelter needed by small birds to feel comfortable when bathing.  Some  pruning was needed to ensure the flight path and view lines remained open.    

Constant garden residents include Red Wattlebirds, White-plumed Honey-eaters, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail and Crested Pigeons along with the exotic Indian Mynahs, Starlings, House Sparrows and Spotted Turtle Doves.  Less common visitors are the New Holland Honey-eaters, Grey Shrike-thrush (love areas of fallen leaves, bark and twigs, Spotted and Striated Pardalote , Eastern Rosella (methodically ate all the pods of the Golden Spray (Viminaria juncea) this year and the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (a special visitor from inland Australia which has over-wintered in the area for several years).

The Tufted Bluebell, Wahlenbergia communis and Native Pelargoium, Pelargonium australe, make a beautiful, hardy combination amongst rocks, flowering throughout summer.