Our front cover: Introducing Australian Native Plant of the Year Chrysocephalum apiculatum ‘CAP07’ PBR Intended — Aussie Reflection™ www.plantoftheyear.com.au
As the proud owners of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) is thrilled to welcome you back in 2026 to the Southern Hemisphere’s most spectacular celebration of horticulture, and this year, it’s set to be bigger, greener, and more inspiring than ever.
Since 1903, NGIV has served as Victoria’s peak body for the horticulture industry, representing a diverse and dynamic community of growers, retailers, and allied businesses. Together, our industry supplies Victorians with outstanding plants, innovative products, and the very best in gardening expertise.
Each year, NGIV proudly delivers MIFGS, an internationally recognised event that draws plant lovers, designers, and garden enthusiasts from across Australia and beyond. The show is made possible through the incredible contributions of our growers and suppliers, who provide the stunning plant material that brings show gardens to life, and our retailers, who showcase exciting new varieties and must-have gardening products for every kind of green space.
From 25 to 29 March, we invite you to join us once again at the iconic Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building for five unforgettable days of creativity, connection, and celebration of all things green.
MIFGS is more than a garden show, it’s a joyful reminder of the benefits gardening brings to our lives, our communities, and our environment. Whether you’re a passionate home gardener, an industry professional, or simply here for a wander among the flowers, there’s something waiting to inspire you.
Proudly presented by NGIV alongside our valued partners, here are just a few highlights you can look forward to in 2026:
The Challenger Achievable Gardens Design Competition
Now in its 19th year, this much-loved competition showcases the talent and horticultural knowledge of students and educational institutions. Presented
by Challenger, the Achievable Gardens demonstrate beautiful, practical landscape design filled with diverse, high-quality plant selections.
The Green Room
A dedicated networking and ideas space where professionals from horticulture, design, and media can connect, collaborate, and learn from leading voices in the industry.
The Wildplace Children’s Garden
Presented by the Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) in partnership with Urban Discovery, Wildplace is an immersive garden playground designed to support student learning, health, and wellbeing through achievable, regenerative design. Blending research, Indigenous knowledges, and the simple magic of outdoor play, it invites visitors of all ages to reconnect with nature.
On behalf of everyone at NGIV, I hope you enjoy exploring everything the 2026 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show has to offer. As always, MIFGS promises an extraordinary experience filled with inspiration, innovation, and ideas to take home to your own garden.
We look forward to welcoming you – and sending you home with fresh inspiration (and possibly a few extra plants you didn’t plan on buying).
Carl Soderlund President, NGIV
Carl Soderlund President, NGIV
Discover the size, scope and scale of Victoria’s horticulture industry
Horticulture in Australia is thriving. With growing interest in gardening, sustainability, wellbeing, and food production, the industry is experiencing unprecedented expansion.
Why is Victoria’s Horticulture Industry thriving in 2026:
Worth over $2.5 billion and employing more than 24,100 people
Victoria’s horticulture industry is one of the state’s most valuable economic contributors. It creates thousands of jobs, strengthens regional communities, and drives investment across the supply chain – from growers and retailers to allied trades.
The sector’s resilience and adaptability continue to shine, whether through producing the highest quality greenlife, advancing new plant genetics, or leading the way in sustainable growing practices for generations to come.
A leader in domestic export and essential to food production
Victoria plays a critical role in Australia’s domestic export market and is central to the nation’s food and greenlife supply. Supported by fertile soils, diverse climates, and world-class horticultural expertise, the state produces an extraordinary range of high-quality crops and plants that reach communities across the country.
Producing Over 35% of Australia’s greenlife
Victoria is the heart of Australian plant production, responsible for more than 35% of all greenlife grown nationwide. The state’s proud horticultural heritage is backed by skilled growers, innovative allied businesses, and dedicated retailers.
From traditional family nurseries to advanced high-tech growing facilities, the industry continues to evolve – blending time-tested knowledge with cutting-edge innovation to meet changing consumer expectations and industry needs.
Supporting community, environment, and economic wellbeing
Victoria’s horticulture industry delivers benefits far beyond economics. It enriches communities, supports healthier lifestyles, and enhances environmental resilience through greener cities and thriving regional landscapes.
Research consistently highlights the positive impact of gardens, parks, and urban green spaces on both mental and physical wellbeing – making horticulture a vital part of a healthier, more liveable Victoria.
Celebrating horticulture at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a showcase of the beauty, diversity, and impact of this flourishing industry – celebrating the passion, expertise, and innovation of Victoria’s growers, retailers, and allied businesses.
Australia’s horticultural powerhouse producing over 35% of the nation’s greenlife
Rural, regional and urban economies economic output $2.5 billion
Significant employer directly employing over 24,100 people
Australian leader in domestic export and critical to food production
Delivering community, environmental and economic health to Victoria
The Wildplace Children’s Garden
Created by Urban Discovery for the Victorian Schools Garden Program
At the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) 2026, the Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) has invited Urban Discovery to create a unique garden experience for all show goers; young and young at heart.
This immersive garden playground created by Urban Discovery showcases VSGP’s mission of fostering student learning, health and wellbeing through innovative and achievable design, education, and therapeutic solutions with one intention; excellence for children. Now and long into the future.
The Wildplace Children’s Garden presents tangible solutions that are achievable in any context and includes carefully considered elements which entice children, spark curiosity, invite collaboration, evoke wonder, regulate nervous systems and build community.
Sensory elements are deliberately and seamlessly integrated into The Wildplace Children’s Garden, edible plantings including native bush foods nestle amongst play elements, and STEM experiences are boundless through the added inclusion of loose parts. Here, gathering spaces for outdoor learning and community events are playful and adaptable to the changing needs of the community, promoting inclusivity and strengthening resilience.
A cross pollination of research, pedagogy, regenerative design and Indigenous knowledges, The Wildplace Children’s Garden demonstrates how play based, nature rich, child centric play spaces are the optimal learning environment and the benchmark for all quality playgrounds, illustrating a necessary step forward in the design of children’s play and education spaces across all spheres of modern society.
Agriculture Victoria and Zoos Victoria join the The Wildplace Children’s Garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2026 to inspire young minds through the story of an endangered Golden-rayed Blue butterfly. Foodcube reveals how edible landscapes can flourish in any space, nurturing curiosity, connection and a deeper understanding of the living world.
We invite visitors of all ages to The Wildplace Children’s Garden at MIFGS 2026. Lose and find yourself in this immersive play space and rediscover the joy of making mud pies.
Delivery partners
Sponsors
To find out more about the Victorian Schools Garden Program, visit www.vsgp.org.au or www.ngiv.com.au
Urban Discovery play wild, learn free
By Hope Ryan
There are many unique factors to consider in the design and construction of a children’s playground. As landscape designers, creating play environments for children, we must first understand the nature of play, the relationship between educator and learning, the specificities of playground safety and the necessity for children to take risks.
We must also shoulder the longer term responsibility we have as adults to preserve and restore natural environments across the urban landscape, for the next generations.
At Urban Discovery our core design philosophy and methodology have been developed by Founder Jenn Reed who, through 30 years experience as an educator and landscape designer, has observed children and educators extensively.
Our evidence based designs meet children’s needs, enable optimal learning outcomes. and connect children with nature. Pedagogy Consultancy is fundamental in this process and key to our successful outcomes. Collaborative consultation with our team of Occupational Therapists, Indigenous Knowledge Holders, the communities in which we work and the children themselves, is guided by our Pedagogy team, who work side by side with our Design team, to ensure that every playground we create places the child at its heart.
Nature teaches us that diversity is essential for any healthy ecosystem and when we apply that learning to our design process, what emerges is rich, interesting and restorative; Habitat for Play. Now and long into the future.
We welcome others who share our vision for all children to be able to Play Wild + Learn Free. Our services include Design, Construction, Consultation and Mentoring for the development of children’s play spaces across all sectors. We’d love to work with you on your next project.
You can visit our website for information and inspiration; www.urbandiscovery.com.au or get in touch with our team directly; play@urbandiscovery.com.au, we’d love to connect.
2026 Plant of the Year
Thirteen outstanding plants were nominated for Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) Plant of the Year 2026, representing the very best in breeding, performance, innovation, and consumer appeal. This year’s cohort spans hardy natives, high-impact ornamentals, improved edible varieties, and plants delivering bold colour and reliable structure to Australian landscapes.
Each nominee was assessed on sensory appeal, growth and performance, and innovation and marketability, and each one brings something distinct to the table. Below is an introduction to the nominees, presented in alphabetical order by genus.
Waxflower ‘Pinnacle Pink’ is a striking Australian native shrub that grows to approximately two metres tall and 1.5 metres wide at maturity. In winter, it produces masses of vibrant white buds that open into tall, conical pink flower spikes by mid-spring. These waxy blooms last for 12 to 14 weeks and are beautifully framed by fine, fresh green foliage, creating a bold and long-lasting seasonal display. The sculptural, cone-shaped spikes add vertical drama and architectural interest to garden beds, containers, and landscape designs.
Aussie Reflection™ Chrysocephalum apiculatum ‘CAP07’ PBR Intended is a hardy Australian native wildflower groundcover with dense, grey-blue foliage and vibrant golden button flowers for much of the year. Spreading via stolons and rhizomes, it forms a resilient mat that bounces back after drought, frost, and flooding. It offers long-lasting colour, supports pollinators, sensory appeal, and thrives in full sun to part shade. Ideal for native gardens, retaining walls, coastal sites, pots, and mass/mixed plantings, Aussie Reflection™ Chrysocephalum combines ornamental beauty with exceptional toughness. Matures at 200mm high (foliage), 350mm high (flowers), and 500mm+ wide.
Corymbia ficifolia ‘Beeliar Orange’ (Tree)
A compact Australian native flowering gum (to 5 m × 2 m) with a tidy form and masses of vibrant vermillion blooms through spring and summer. Developed in partnership with the Austem Foundation and Kings Park breeding program, it is a standout choice for urban landscapes, streetscapes, and contemporary home gardens.
Corymbia ficifolia ‘Precious Pearl’ (Tree)
A medium-sized flowering gum (7 m × 4 m) forming a neat, balanced canopy and producing masses of soft pink-to-white summer blooms. Hardy, low-maintenance and perfectly suited to parks, streetscapes and modern gardens, it combines elegance with strong performance. Tissue-culture production ensures consistent growth, canopy shape and flower display.
Cyclamen persicum ‘Illusia’ (Herbaceous)
A compact, elegant variety celebrated for its luminous bi-coloured blooms and beautifully marbled foliage. Reaching approximately 20–25 cm in height and 25–30 cm in width at maturity, it forms a neat, rounded habit ideal for pots, indoor displays, and shaded garden settings. Illusia produces an abundance of long-lasting flowers over an extended season, combining refined form with exceptional resilience. Its balanced growth, striking colour contrast, and reliable performance make it a standout choice for both home gardeners and professional growers seeking beauty, consistency, and easy care.
A Game Changer™ form that provides a wonder of colour transformations throughout the seasons. With its extremely compact habit (60–70 cm tall and wide), it offers remontant flowering for up to 150 days. Ideal for sun to part-shade, it thrives in containers, gardens and even indoor displays, delivering long-lasting ornamental value with minimal maintenance.
Lomandra longifolia ‘LM360’ PBR — Lady Tanika® (Specialist)
Lady Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM360’ PBR is a compact, clumping, evergreen Lomandra with fine, green, cascading leaves that stay clean and vibrant year-round. Maturing at 40–50cm high and 60–75cm wide, it forms a neat, symmetrical tussock that requires less maintenance than other Lomandras. Disease-resistant and ant-resistant, it thrives in full sun to moderate shade, tolerates drought, frost, and wet conditions, and adapts to most soil types. Ideal for mass/mixed planting, Australian gardens, rain gardens, feature pots, and defining boundaries in both residential and commercial landscapes.
Loropetalum chinensis ‘Plum Gorgeous’ (Shrub)
Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’ is a hardy Australian-bred shrub that produces prolific floral displays from spring and features stunning deep plum coloured foliage throughout the year. With exceptional garden performance to climatic tolerances, Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’ is a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plant for any garden application. Growing to around 1.2 m × 1.2 m, it offers strong year-round ornamental appeal and is perfect for feature planting, low hedging and container displays.
Melia azedarach ‘Elite’ PBR (Tree)
‘Elite’ is a refined, non-fruiting selection of white cedar, bred for its improved form and superior performance in streetscapes. With a symmetrical canopy and clean, bright green foliage, it reaches approximately 8–12 m and provides excellent shade. Its tidy, umbrageous habit make it suitable for urban environments where low maintenance and reliability are key.
A hardy evergreen shrub presenting a clean, dense habit year-round without pruning. The vibrant lime-green foliage offers a fresh, bright display in any season. Growing 70–90 cm tall and wide, it is compact, frost and heat tolerant, and ideal for containers, borders, small gardens and accent plantings.
A unique double-flowered Osteospermum with striking steel-blue centred flowers surrounded by pale petals that remain open day and night. It forms a compact mound approximately 30–40 cm high and wide, flowering prolifically over a long season. Perfect for pots, garden beds and high-impact colour displays.
Persea americana ‘JA1A’ PBR — JALA™ Avocado (Specialist)
A new Australian variety, JALA™ is a unique avocado tree, producing high-quality, super-sized fruit that are easy to peel with non-browning characteristics. At maturity, the tree can reach a healthy 7m and is a consistently strong grower. At almost double the size of typical ‘Hass’ or ‘Bacon’ avacados, JALA™’s fruit sets a new benchmark.
Petunia × hybrida — Petunia Fun House Painted Love Purple (Herbaceous)
A vibrant petunia producing 25–35 cm mounding growth and 45–55 cm trailing spread. Ideal for hanging baskets and patio containers, it delivers abundant bi-colour blooms with striking purple tones, crisp white picotee edging and a dramatic dark centre. Early to flower and long blooming, it provides bold colour all season.
Announcing the 2026 Plant of the Year Award Winners
NGIV is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Plant of the Year awards – celebrating outstanding plant varieties that spark innovation, inspire the horticulture industry, and showcase the exciting developments shaping the future of gardening and landscape design.
Judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts, the awards recognise
plants that excel in aesthetic appeal, growth and performance characteristics, innovative qualities, and marketability potential.
See these plants at the 2026 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Visit plantoftheyear.com.au for more information on the awards.
Overall Winner & Tree of the Year 2026
Corymbia ficifolia ‘Precious Pearl’
A medium-sized flowering gum (7 m × 4 m) celebrated for its elegant, balanced canopy and abundant soft pink-to-white summer blooms. Hardy, low-maintenance and ideal for parks, streetscapes and modern gardens, it also performs consistently thanks to tissue-culture production ensuring uniform canopy shape and flower display.
Category Winners
Shrub of the Year: Nandina domestica ‘LemLim’ – Magical Lemon Lime®
A hardy evergreen shrub with vibrant lime-green foliage and a compact, dense habit that requires no pruning. Perfect for containers, borders and small gardens, it offers year-round interest and excellent frost and heat tolerance.
Australian Native Plant of the Year: Chrysocephalum apiculatum ‘CAP07’
PBR intended – Aussie Reflection™
A resilient groundcover with dense grey-blue foliage and vibrant golden button flowers. Thriving in full sun to part shade, it’s drought, frost and flood resilient, supports pollinators, and brings long-lasting colour to native gardens, coastal sites, retaining walls and containers.
Highly Commended Plants
Australian Native Highly Commended: Chamelaucium floriferum ‘Pinnacle Pink’
A striking native waxflower shrub (≈2 m × 1.5 m) that produces show-stopping conical pink flower spikes in spring framed by fine green foliage.
A compact and elegant cyclamen with luminous bi-coloured blooms and beautifully marbled foliage. Ideal for pots, indoor displays and shaded garden settings, it offers extended flowering season performance.
2 0 2 6
Why Plant of the Year 2026 won’t be in garden centres until 2028 – Great trees take time
New shrub or tree varieties require years of careful development, trialling and production before they can be released in meaningful quantities. The goal is not simply to grow a tree, it is to produce a tree that performs consistently, is reliable in Australian gardens, and can be supplied at a standard the public can trust.
For a tree like Corymbia ficifolia ‘Precious Pearl’, this process includes building propagation stock, ensuring uniformity, and scaling production so that when it is released, it is available in numbers that meet demand and maintain quality.
Plant of the Year exists to recognise the very best in Australian horticultural innovation. Sometimes that means celebrating a tree that represents years of work and that still requires time to reach full commercial scale.
‘Precious Pearl’ will be available from 2028. In the meantime, visitors to MIFGS will have the opportunity to learn directly from the breeder about how outstanding trees are developed and why they are among the most valuable long-term investments we can make in our landscapes.
Putting the green back in The Greenery
In August 2025, one of Victoria’s most iconic garden centres reopened with fresh energy and a renewed sense of purpose. The Greenery, on Banksia Street in Heidelberg, has been revived under new owners Barry and Rebecca Humphris, who transformed the site in just eleven weeks.
First opened in 1974 by legendary horticultural retailer Barry Teese, The Greenery became a benchmark for Australian garden retail, winning awards and drawing customers from across the state. After Teese’s passing in 2000, the property remained in family hands until the Humphris family stepped in to secure its future.
“Fundamentally, our objective is to maintain the momentum and strength of the independent retail sector,” says General Manager Chris Roche. “If we keep quality garden centres alive, it benefits the entire supply chain.”
A monumental transformation
When the Humphris family took over in May, the site had deteriorated badly, leaking roofs, rotting windows, failing structures. What followed was an extraordinary renovation.
The roof was repaired, steelwork repainted, signage replaced, security upgraded, and a full irrigation system installed for the first time. The 800-square-metre shade house was completely rebuilt into a bright seedling-focused space.
Importantly, the team preserved The Greenery’s heritage: the original concierge counter remains, the signature fountain still bubbles, historic signage has been repurposed, and Teese’s original truck now sits proudly at the front.
Independent, but connected
Although the Humphris name is well known in wholesale production, The Greenery operates as a standalone retail destination.
“We buy from a wide range of suppliers across the industry,” Chris explains, sourcing stock from growers such as Biemond’s, Plantopia, Paradisia, Triffid Park and Native Plant Wholesalers.
The focus is on high-quality, reliable plants at accessible prices, rather than simply the biggest range.
More than plants
The Greenery now offers an extensive range of homeware, giftware, fashion, artificial flowers, pots, decorative containers, and plant holders.
Stage two plans include a children’s playground, interactive growing spaces, misting areas for summer, and expanded workshops covering everything from pruning to repotting.
A café with a difference
Led by executive chef Matt Brock – whose career once included private cheffing for Richard Branson – the café brings “simply elegant sophistication” to the nursery experience.
The menu is focused and refined: Devonshire teas, a wide range of cakes and pastries and exciting seasonal brunch dishes. Future plans include a French crêperie, Sunday oyster
afternoons with champagne and a recently installed on site smoker where the aroma of slow-cooked meats fills the air.
Local produce is prioritised, supporting regional suppliers and artisans.
A people business — and a win for industry
The reopening has created more than 20 local jobs, blending young casual staff with experienced returning team members. Before launch, the management team toured leading nurseries across Victoria, the ACT and Sydney to shape their vision.
While more developments are still to come, The Greenery already stands as something bigger than a renovation.
“The industry can’t afford to let another one go,” Chris says. “We need strong, independent retail nurseries that inspire people to fall in love with plants again.”
For long-time fans, it’s the return of a landmark. For new visitors, it’s a destination blending plants, retail and hospitality – and a powerful good-news story for horticulture.
If you’re up for a visit, we’d love to welcome you – come and see the new-look Greenery for yourself!
More information
The Greenery Garden Centre
Banksia Street
Heidelberg, Victoria 3084
Why great gardens start locally
In an age of instant online purchases and big-box retail, it’s easy to overlook one of the most valuable resources available to gardeners of all experience levels: the local, independent garden centre. Yet for anyone serious about creating a garden that thrives not just this season but for years to come, building a relationship with your local garden centre – and the people who work there –can make all the difference.
Independent garden centres are far more than places to buy plants. They are hubs of knowledge, experience and passion, staffed by people who genuinely care about gardening and about helping customers succeed. Many team members are trained horticulturists with a deep understanding of soil, climate, plant selection and long-term garden planning. When you take the time to get to know them – and allow them to get to know you – something powerful happens: trust is built. That trust leads to better outcomes for your garden.
When garden centre staff understand your space, your soil, your light levels and importantly your goals, they can guide you toward the right plants and solutions for the long term – not just what looks good on the day. They remember what you’ve planted before, what worked and what didn’t and can help you plan ahead, whether you’re developing a new garden, refreshing an existing one or learning as you go.
Equally, when you return to the same garden centre time and again, you’re supporting a business that reinvests in skilled staff, high-quality plants and local communities. Independent garden centres source carefully, build long-term relationships with specialist growers and curate ranges that suit local conditions – something mass retailers simply can’t replicate.
A celebration of independent garden centres at MIFGS 2026
This spirit of collaboration, expertise and passion will be on full display at this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS), where a group of Victoria’s leading independent garden centres will come together to offer visitors something truly special: the opportunity to purchase outstanding plants from the show and take a piece of the magic home.
Rather than operating in isolation, these garden centres are joining forces – united by a shared belief in quality plants, knowledgeable service and the enduring value of independent retail.
Heading up this collaborative effort is David Howard of Bay Road Nursery, Sandringham, and James Wall of Gardenworld, with locations in Braeside and Elwood. Both are deeply respected within the industry, recognised not only for outstanding retail garden centres but also for their commitment to education, innovation and supporting the next generation of horticultural professionals.
Joining them will be a passionate lineup of independent nurseries, each with its own distinct character and loyal community following:
» Town & Country Gardens, Malvern, known for stylish plant and gift selections and an exceptional customer experience
» Pinewood Quality Nursery, Glen Waverley, a long-standing destination for reliable plants and trusted advice
» Poyntons Nursery, Aberfeldie, with deep roots in Melbourne’s gardening culture
» Rivers of Yarrambat, offering space, inspiration and a strong connection to nature
» Valley Road Nursery, Geelong, a favourite among regional gardeners
» Acorn Nursery, Surrey Hills, respected for its expertise and boutique approach
Each of these garden centres employs knowledgeable staff who live and breathe plants. Each has built its reputation over
time by putting customer success first. And at MIFGS, they will be working side by side – a terrific example of independent retailers collaborating for the benefit of gardeners.
Supporting this retail showcase is an impressive group of specialist suppliers and growers who represent the very best of Australian horticulture. These include Biemond Nurseries, PGA, Southern Plants, Hortitech, Ausflora Pacific, Takasho, EasyColour, Wagners Roses, Grow Better and Bombora.
These suppliers work closely with independent garden centres year-round, ensuring plants are grown with care, selected for local conditions and delivered at their peak. This strong grower–retailer partnership is a cornerstone of quality horticulture – and one of the key reasons plants purchased through independent garden centres consistently perform better in home gardens.
First-release roses at The Local Nurseries Stand A5
One of the standout highlights at this year’s show will be found at the Local Nurseries Stand (A5), where visitors will have a rare opportunity to purchase first-time Australian releases of exceptional roses, thanks to Brian Wagner and Wagners Roses.
This showcase will feature brand-new Georges Delbard and David Austin roses “ many of which have been eagerly awaited and are already generating significant interest across the industry and on social media.
Among the Georges Delbard releases will be Thierry Marx™, a richly petalled rose named after the renowned French chef; Moonlight in Paris™, a romantic variety with softly blended tones; Pompadour™, an old-world rose with classic form and presence; and Sophie Rochas™, a modern favourite already creating strong buzz among rose lovers.
From David Austin, visitors will be able to access highly sought-after new releases including Kew Gardens™, celebrated for its floriferous nature and health; Queen of Sweden™, long anticipated by Australian gardeners; and
the impressive James Galway™ Climber, prized for its vigour and visual impact.
For rose enthusiasts, this is a rare opportunity to take home brand-new international releases directly from the show –selected by experts, grown by specialists and offered through independent garden centres that understand how these plants perform in Australian conditions.
Be sure to visit the Local Nurseries Stand – A5 – at MIFGS.
More than a transaction
Whether you’re visiting MIFGS or shopping closer to home, choosing to support your local garden centre is about more than making a purchase. It’s about investing in expertise, relationships and a shared love of gardening.
When you walk into an independent garden centre, you’re stepping into a space shaped by people who are passionate about plants, community and the environment. You’re entering an ongoing conversation – one that continues season after season as your garden evolves.
So ask questions. Share photos. Talk about what you’re trying to achieve. Let staff get to know you, and take the time to get to know them. Over time, your garden becomes not just more beautiful, but more resilient, rewarding and reflective of your vision.
And if you’re looking for inspiration, innovation and access to some of the very best plants available, the independent garden centre retail space at this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is not to be missed – a true celebration of collaboration and the enduring value of local expertise.
Contact: Lisa McCann, General Manager, Garden Centres Australia Ph: 0438 387 677 | E: manager@gardencentresaustralia.com.au
From show garden to home garden
How Southern Plants helps turn MIFGS inspiration into real garden success
Walking through the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, it’s easy to be inspired by the gardens around you. Layered planting, texture, movement and colour all feel carefully considered. The experience often sparks the same question: where do these plants come from, and could something like this work at home?
The truth is that many of the plants on display are closer to home than you might expect.
A significant number of the plants featured throughout the show are grown by Southern Plants, a multi-generational Victorian family nursery with a long and proud connection to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Trusted by designers and landscapers, Southern Plants has spent decades supplying high-quality plant stock chosen not only for visual impact, but for long-term performance in real gardens, real conditions and real Australian climates.
The show itself has evolved over time. Before becoming the internationally recognised event it is today, it grew from earlier outdoor exhibitions such as Garden Week, held in Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens in the early 1990s.
As the event has expanded, Southern Plants has remained a consistent supporter, backing the industry, the designers and the ideas that bring these gardens to life.
For home gardeners, the link between inspiration and action is access. A small selection of Southern Plants varieties can be seen and purchased at the Local Nurseries stand, offering a tangible connection to the gardens on display. Beyond the show, the full Southern Plants range can be sourced through garden retailers and landscape professionals, making it easier to choose the right plants for your own space.
Growing a wide range of high-quality native and exotic shrubs, hedging plants, flowering varieties and grasses, Southern Plants focuses on functional plant solutions that help gardens thrive.
Next time you admire a show garden and imagine it in your own space, remember this: the path from show garden to home garden is often shorter than you think – with Southern Plants.
Ferris wheel installation at Garden Week, Fitzroy Gardens (1993) – an early chapter of what would become the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, built with the involvement of Bryan Jackson, founder of Gardenworld and Southern Plants.
Where plants grow and wine flows
Orths Nursery partnership with Copperhead Wines
Hans and Anna Orth began their journey the way many great horticultural stories do: with hard work, good soil, and a willingness to learn. They started Orths Nursery in 1989 on just one acre of family land.
That one acre has since grown into more than five acres of thriving nursery production, still proudly based on the original 130-acre property that has supported the Orth family for decades.
But the story didn’t stop with plants.
In 1996, Hans and Anna expanded into viticulture, planting a modest four-acre vineyard. What began as an extension of their growing expertise soon flourished into something far bigger – today, their vineyard stretches across more than 30 acres.
At first, the focus was on supplying high-quality fruit to other wineries. The Orths earned a strong reputation for producing excellent grapes, built not through flashy promotion, but through consistency and care.
And then came the natural next step.
Once they were established as trusted growers, Hans and Anna began “dabbling” in making wine for themselves –a small experiment that has grown into Copperhead Wines, a label now finding its place in the market with the next generation stepping confidently into the business.
Tucked away on the rolling land of St Huberts Road in Coldstream sits a family business that has been quietly perfecting the art of growing for generations. Orths Nursery and Copperhead Wines are more than two ventures side by side, they are a single story of passion, patience, and a commitment to quality over quantity.
Copperhead Wines reflects everything the Orths stand for: craftsmanship, authenticity, and letting the product speak for itself.
“We work on quality, not quantity,” says Anna. “We don’t spend lots of money on marketing or expensive hard goods – we let the quality do the talking.”
It’s a philosophy that has served them well, whether nurturing the best plants in the nursery, producing exceptional fruit, or crafting wines that carry the character of Coldstream in every bottle.
For Hans and Anna, the enjoyment hasn’t faded with time. In fact, they describe the work as never boring – always something to do, always something new to learn.
Looking ahead, the Orth family’s future is full of possibility. Plans include increased automation in the nursery, turning more of their vineyard fruit into Copperhead Wines each year, and gradually handing the reins to the next generation.
With ideas of a cellar door and even accommodation on the horizon, the third generation is helping shape what comes next – with Hans and Anna watching proudly, ready to lend a hand when needed.
From nursery rows to vineyard vines, Orths Nursery and Copperhead Wines are proof that the best businesses grow the same way the best plants and wines do: With care, with patience, and with deep family roots.
Plant Futures: The Future in Bloom
The Plant Futures garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2026 is changing the way we think about plants.
Super Bloom in partnership with Heliotope Studio, Evergreen Infrastructure and Mood Construction will be creating an ambitious immersive garden to be housed within the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, with a spectacular floral garden demonstrating that beauty and climate compatibility are not mutually exclusive. Plant Futures will celebrate the beauty and luminosity of dry climate species, bringing a wonder that the public can wander through.
The immersive garden will transport visitors into a floral and textural wonderland that will illuminate the diverse planting, highlighting that tolerant and climate forward plants can also be beautiful - and ultimately the perfect solution for bringing diverse, complex and robust green spaces into our cities.
“Our project highlights resilient, low-water planting solutions that thrive in a changing climate, using sustainable materials to inspire innovative approaches to public space.
”Michael Casey, Evergreen Infrastructure
The garden has been cultivated especially for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show with the process encompassing seed germination and growing the plant communities in a modular system that celebrates the diversity and adaptability of the plants in collaboration with one another. This planting design approach demonstrates a naturalistic approach for a dry summer context with the layers and patterning within the plant community emulating natural distribution.
“More and more we look to the natural world to help us navigate our way through a changing planet.
”Jane Caught, Heliotope.
As the plants have been cultivated together in harmony, so too will they continue their life at the conclusion of the event where they will be moved to a public planting in the western suburbs of Melbourne, offering important revitalisation where they will be enjoyed by the public for many seasons to come.
“Through wonder and real-life experience, this garden will lead both the audience and industry to the climate-forward possibilities of plants and progressive planting design.
”Jac Semmler, Super Bloom
After wandering through the immersive garden, guests will then be able to purchase the very species that have evoked feelings of wonder to create the same floral magic in their own garden, thanks to a partnership with Native Plant Project who will be providing quality Australian plants for direct purchase.
The garden will be a wondrous showcase of blooming beauty, an immersive floral experience designed to delight and captivate visitors with the nature possible in our cities.
A collaboration between Super Bloom, Heliotope, Evergreen Infrastructure and Mood Construction. With major support from Austem Foundation, Native Plant Project and Australian Institute of Horticulture.
Suppliers and supporters: Plant Growers Australia, Remarkable Trees, Elmich Australia, KHD Landscape Engineering Solutions, Boomaroo Nurseries and Mansfields.
For more visit www.thesuperbloom.com.au/plantfutures
Photo credit
Phillip Huynh
THE CHALLENGER ACHIEVABLE GARDENS DESIGN COMPETITION
Now in its 19th year, the Challenger Achievable Gardens Design Competition provides students and educational institutions with a platform to showcase their design talents and horticultural expertise, while advocating for achievable gardening practices and the use of diverse, high-quality plants in the landscape.
This year, students once again compete for the prestigious ‘Excellence Award’, engaging in a valuable learning journey that spans from conceptualisation and project coordination to the realisation of a show garden. Each compact garden plot mirrors the dimensions of an average balcony or small courtyard (five meters in width by four meters in depth), challenging participants to create designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and replicable by home gardeners. With a virtual budget capped at $8,000, emphasis is placed on attainability, ensuring that at least 50% of the garden consists of soft landscaping (plants).
The competition equips students with invaluable hands-on experience, laying a solid foundation for their future careers in horticulture and design. Past submissions have captivated visitors
with their innovative concepts, and this year’s entries are poised to deliver the same excitement. The Achievable Gardens remain a highlight for attendees, and we eagerly anticipate unveiling the outstanding student designs for this year’s showcase.
This year’s Achievable Gardens are brought to you by Challenger. Challenger Limited (Challenger) is an investment management firm focused on providing members with financial security for a better retirement.
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
THE STEWARDSHIP GARDEN
JOANNA MOLONEY CHISHOLM
WE CAN ALL BE STEWARDS OF OUR SPACE AND BE PROUD OF OUR CONTRIBUTIONS, NO MATTER IF THEY ARE BIG OR SMALL.
Stewardship in this garden means creating the space with care, intention, and respect. Plants have been selected to support biodiversity and be a part of a cycle of renewal. Using repurposed materials where possible to reduce costs and the gardens environmental impact. The garden is grown gently and responsibly, observing and responding in ways that help everything thrive. The garden is left healthier, season after season.
In the front, the look of an era gone by is evoked with cottage colours created by embracing our indigenous flora, adapted to local conditions and bringing bugs and bees and birds. A small lawn to ground the gardener in the space.
Wander through the re-purposed picket gate to home grown produce. A full vegetable patch with beans up the fence, silverbeet and zucchinis. The pear tree provides flowers, and fruit and dappled light.
This garden is the common desire for a simpler time, while also looking towards the future, and the challenges ahead. A space for both activity and rest. Stewardship through purpose, creativity, compassion and balance.
KEY BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME
BM Brachyscome multifida Native Daisy
Chrys A Chrysocephalum appiculatum Everlasting Daisy
CA Correa alba White Correa
DR Dichondra repens Kidney Weed
PA Pelargonium australe Southern Storkbill
PP Poa poiformis ‘Kingsdale’ Tussock Grass
PS Poa sieberiana Snow Grass
PG Pycnosorus globosus Billy Buttons
SG Stylidium graminifolium Trigger Plant
TT Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass
WC Wahlenbergia communis Tufted bluebell
XB Xerochrysum bracteatum Paper Daisy varieties
varieties
XV Xerochrysum viscosum Sticky Everlasting Daisy
AS Allium schoeprasum Chives
BV Beta valgaris Coloured Silverbeet
CP Cucurbita pepo varieties Zucchini varieties
SO Salvia officinalis Sage
PC Pyrus Communis Pear – Packham Triumph
LM’B’ Leptospermum morrisonii Burgandy Tea Tree ‘burgandy’
SPONSORS Tall Trees • Botanix Plant Supply • Transition Farm • Green Circle Plant Nursery • Eduflora Plant Nursery • Buffalo River Nursery
SENTIO
CONCHI BATSON
CHISHOLM
I
FEEL, I SENSE, I UNDERSTAND.
The name ‘Sentio’, comes from the Latin verb sentire, meaning “to feel”. It’s about how we personally experience the world. For people who are neurodiverse, and/or living with mental health issues, that translation of sentire is paramount to their experience of the world.
I created the garden as a reflection of my own life on the Mornington Peninsula, and the neurodiverse quirks and mental health issues I experience. The space is for someone whose mind is always on the move, needs some structure, likes to potter, but knows they need their mind to rest- which for me is in the garden.
The plants are the stars, with each one serving multiple purposes, whilst happily living in the sandy soils of the peninsula.
All species are edible in some way, shape or form. Whether that be included within a meal, garnish a dish or making a tea.
The plants were also chosen for their attributes that provide sensory stimulation or calmness, from texture, to smell, the colour palette to the sculptural form they provide within the garden.
Some species also offer insect repellent characteristics, for us using the space- but also as companion plants defending their neighbours.
NEST IS A CONTEMPORARY HABITAT GARDEN CREATED AS A SHARED SPACE FOR BIRDS AND PEOPLE. AT ITS HEART IS A GIANT, HUMAN-SCALE NEST – A COZY DAYBED WOVEN FROM NATURAL MATERIALS – INVITING YOU TO PAUSE, REST AND EXPERIENCE THE GARDEN FROM A BIRD’S POINT OF VIEW.
Set among the treetops, the nest is surrounded by layered planting that creates a feeling of height, shelter and calm. A gently winding path leads you through grasses, shrubs and flowers, encouraging slow movement and quiet observation.
Throughout the garden you’ll find examples of local bird nests, including a kookaburra termite mound and a spotted pardalote burrowing nest, offering inspiration for how natural nesting features can be included in your own garden.
Planting plays a vital role in supporting birdlife. Fruiting, seeding and nectar-rich species are carefully chosen to provide reliable food, while dense shrubs and
layered canopies offer protection, nesting opportunities and places to rest. Combined with accessible water the garden provides food and shelter year-round.
Nest intends to show how considered planting and simple design choices can create gardens that support wildlife while remaining welcoming, beautiful spaces for people too.
KEY
BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME
Ag fl Agonis flexuosa Willow Myrtle
Ag NA Agastache ‘Nadine’ Hummingbird Mint
Al ar Aloe arborescens Torch Aloe
At ci Atriplex cinerea Coast Saltbush
Be th Berberis thunbergii Japanese Barberry, Ca KF Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ ‘Karl Foerster‘ Feather Reed Grass
Ca te Carex testaca Orange Sedge
Co ar Coleus argentatus Silver Spurflower
Di GO Dianella ‘Godess’ ‘Godess’ Blue Flax Lily
Eu vi Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum
Gr BR Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’ ‘Bronze Rambler’ Grevillea
Gr OS Grevillea ‘Outback Sunrise’ ‘Outback Sunrise’ Grevillea
Is fo Isopogon formosus Rose Coneflower
Le br Leucophyta brownii Cushion Bush
Le la Leptospermum laevigatum Coastal Tea-Tree
Mi PU Miscanthus ‘Punkchten’ ‘Punkchten’ Japanese Silver Grass
Ph BR Phormium ‘Black Rage’ ‘Black Rage’ New Zealand Flax
Po la Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grass
SPONSOR Antique Perennials
Se MA Sedum ‘Matrona’ ‘Matrona’ Stonecrop
Th tr Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass
Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria invite you to visit your local nursery by offering a $10 voucher to be used at the following participating nurseries.
Town And Country – Home & Garden townandcountryau.com
KIALLA
Riverside Gardens Garden Centre riversidegardens.com
KYNETON
Rodilesa Nursery rodilesanursery.com.au
LONG GULLY
ASQ Garden & Landscape asq.net.au
MALVERN
Town And Country Gardens
– Malvern townandcountrygardens.com.au
MORNINGTON
Diaco’s Garden Nursery
– Mornington diaco.com.au
MOUNT EVELYN
Kuranga Native Nursery kuranga.com.au
The Greenery – Mount Evelyn thegreenery.com.au
MOUNT EVELYN
Knoxbrooke Nursery knoxbrooke.com.au
MULGRAVE
Pinewood Quality Nursery pinewoodnursery.com.au
NEWCOMBE
Diaco’s Garden Nursery – Geelong diacos.com.au
Present voucher at one of the participating nurseries above for $10 off your next purchase. No minimum spend required. Limit of one voucher per purchase. Not redeemable for cash/credit. Expires 30 April 2026.
NORTHCOTE
Northcote Nursery northcotenursery.com.au
PEARCEDALE
Pearcedale Garden Centre pearcedalegardencentre.com.au
RIDDELLS CREEK
Riddells Creek Nursery riddellscreeknursery.com.au
ROCHESTER
Rodilesa Nursery rodilesanursery.com.au
SALE
Grow Master growmastersale.com.au
SANDRINGHAM Bay Road Nursery bayroad.com.au
SOMERVILLE
Coolart Nursery coolartnursery.com
TRARALGON
Grow Master Traralgon growmastertraralgon.com.au
YARRA GLEN
Alowyn Gardens alowyngardens.com.au
DOPAMINE GARDEN
PIA LEFEVRE
MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC
THE DOPAMINE GARDEN IS A JOYFUL REBELLION AGAINST THE EVER-GROWING GREYIFICATION OF OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
Across architecture, interiors, and landscapes, the world has slipped into a uniform palette of beige, black, and concrete. In the pursuit of resale value and cost efficiency, we’ve slowly stripped away colour, texture and personality, the very things that make places feel alive.
Borrowing from the movements of dopamine décor and dopamine fashion, this garden embraces the idea that colour and pattern can uplift our mood. In the same way people are now dressing for joy rather than approval, this garden designs for feeling rather than minimalism. Every detail, from colourful stripes to the tactility of the foliage, is chosen to awaken curiosity and bring back a childlike sense of wonder.
The plants were chosen for their expressive shapes (Asparagus densiflorus), taste (Aloysia citriodora), bright colours (Cordyline australis), scent (Pelargonium citronellum), movement (grasses), and to invite touch (Adenanthos sericeus).
Beneath the surface lies a deeper message about how our environments influence our emotions.
Studies show that colour and nature both elevate mood levels, reduce stress and increase our sense of connection and vitality. Let’s channel those findings into gardens! Joy is not frivolous, it’s essential.
SPONSORS Yarra Edge Nursery • Southern Plants • Warners Nursery • Ground Up Industries • Water Features Direct
“YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT ABOUT COMFORT, YOU FEEL IT.”
BETH GREGORY MILD CONFRONTATIONS:
MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC
WHAT IF COMFORT ISN’T SOMETHING WE ADD, BUT SOMETHING WE SHAPE THROUGH PLANTS AND DESIGN?
Comfort as ecology
Mild Confrontations explores thermal comfort as something that emerges through ecology and considered design rather than technology. Instead of relying on mechanical fixes, the garden shows how plants, materials and space can naturally shape cooler, more comfortable environments.
Gardens as climate moderators
As Melbourne becomes hotter and denser, residential gardens can play an active role, collectively, in reducing heat. This project treats the garden as a climate-moderating system rather than a decorative surface, creating small microclimates that offer relief from heat.
Layered planting for shared comfort
Layered planting creates shade, airflow and cooler ground conditions, supporting people, plants, insects, birds and pets alike. Comfort is not
SPONSORS
uniform as seasons shift, but discovered through movement between sun and shade, exposure and refuge.
Simple, achievable strategies
Indigenous, native and selected exotic plants suited to Mediterranean-type conditions and local ecologies are paired with permeable surfaces, reused construction and food waste (such as olive pips), and a freestanding clay pergola that filters harsh afternoon sun while remaining open to airflow. All materials and plants are sourced through local Victorian suppliers.
Working with ecology
Mild Confrontations demonstrates how everyday gardens can collectively contribute to urban heat mitigation, biodiversity and environmental resilience by working with ecology and design rather than against them.
sr Salvia rosmarinus ‘Prostratus’ Prostrate Rosemary
WHISPERS OF THE GREEN SPIRIT
SHELLEY DELALAND
BENDIGO KANGAN
WHISPERS OF THE GREEN SPIRIT EXPLORES HOW A SMALL FOOTPRINT CAN EVOKE A SENSE OF DISCOVERY, CALM AND CONNECT TO NATURE THROUGH THOUGHTFUL SPACIAL PLANNING, CLIMATE-APPROPRIATE PLANTING, AND ACHIEVABLE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES.
Enter the garden’s colourful, whimsical character. The pathways guide movement toward the rear, where a cascading waterfall, shade tree, and play of light and shadow creates a cool, immersive microclimate. The whimsical secret door, beside the fountain and green wall, adds narrative interest and encourages exploration within the confined space.
Native/indigenous species are resilient, biodiverse and support, rewilding ideas and encourages the wildlife to come back. The living green wall of culinary herbs provides practical, space-efficient food production. The table and benches, encourage sitting and
coming together. A bonsai displayed on the table highlights fine horticultural skills and the theme of nurturing living forms.
This garden showcases sustainable materials by reusing reclaimed timber and focusing on a lovely handmade Garden Setting. An achievable garden inspiring curiosity ecological awareness, and meaningful human connections and gatherings.
SPONSORS Jaggid Mosaic Studio • Native Inspiration Bonsai • Gum and Plum • Rawboards • ASQ – Australian Stone Quarries • Straight Curve • BioGro • Aquatec Equipment • Atlantic Cities for Life • Kangan Institute Digital Initiatives.
KEYMATERIAL
AAArbour
CFCascade Fountain
GGravel path
GWGreen Wall
MSMosaics Green Spirit Faces
MMulch
PPaving Stones
TSTable/Bench seats
KEYBOTANICAL NAMECOMMON NAME
Ah Anigozanthos x hybrida Kangaroo Paw cultivars Red Forms only
Pn Petroselinum crispum Flat leaf Parsley var. neapolitanum
Pr Prostanthera rotundifolia Roundleaf Mint Bush
Pg Pycnosorus globosus Billy Buttons
So Salvia officinalis Sage
Sr Salvia rosmarinus Rosemary
Tt Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass
Ts Thymus serpyllum Culinary Thyme
Vh Viola hederacea Native Violet
THE GROTTO
KATE BAKER
HOLMESGLEN
THE GROTTO TRANSFORMS AN UNLOVED CORNER OF A GARDEN, TRANSFORMING IT INTO A PRECIOUS SPACE IMBUED WITH RESONANT AND MEMORABLE QUALITIES.
This garden imagines what could be done in a small space with challenging conditions. For example, a courtyard with a concrete slab floor, or very poor soil. The garden is fully containerised and the water features are modular. Water is recycled from the pond back into the spillbowl. Each component is relatively light and requires only two people to lift.
The word ‘grotto’ encapsulates some of the concepts that inspire me. All meanings of the word grotto are present in this design: the water and rock of a sea cave; a shrine marking a sacred site; a mysterious place where extraordinary events may occur; the quaint landscaping
trend found in fashionable 18th and 19th century English gardens, often inspired by mythology.
This design aims to bring magic back into everyday life, so old-fashioned or well-known plants have been selected and presented in a new and interesting context. The plants and hardscaping features are all relatively low care, ensuring that the garden does not become a burden to its owner.
I hope the viewer feels a sense of peace and magic when they stop in front of The Grotto, and a moment of respite from the demands of the real world.
SPONSORS Blue Lotus Watergardens • Straightcurve Garden Edging
• Antique Perennials
KEYBOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME
Ap Acacia pendula Weeping Myall
Apt Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort
Am Armeria maritima ‘Alba’Sea thrift
Bm Bacopa monnieri Brahmi
Cc Clematis cirrhosa ‘Wisley Cream’
Cy Cymbopogon citratus Lemongrass
Ca Cyperus alternifolius Umbrella grass
Da Dianthus anatolicus
Ec Erodium chrysanthemum Silver heronsbill
Fc Filipendula camtschatica Meadowsweet
Gl Gaura lindheimeri x G. coccinea Butterfly bush ‘Lillipop Soda Pop’
Hg Herniaria glabra Rupturewort
Ln Lysmachia nummularia
Mr Mentha requenii Corsican mint
Nn Nelumbo nucifer Lotus
Pa Persicaria amplexicaulis alba Mountain fleece
Sl Stokesia laevis ‘Skyrocket’
Ts Tunica saxifraga ‘Flora-Plena’
Zc Zephyranthes candida Rain lily
FLOWERS IN THE MIRROR, MOON ON THE WATER
RUIRUI ZHANG
HOLMESGLEN
FLOWERS IN THE MIRROR, MOON ON THE WATER IS A CHINESE PROVERB DESCRIBING A BEAUTY SO EXQUISITE IT FEELS ALMOST UNREAL. THIS GARDEN INVITES VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE THAT SENSE OF POETIC ILLUSION. THIS SAYING ALSO CONVEYS THE FLEETING NATURE OF ALL THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, BECAUSE SUCH MOMENTS ARE TRANSIENT, THEY BECOME ALL THE MORE PRECIOUS.
This garden is inspired by classical Chinese Suzhou gardens. It is designed to demonstrate that Chinese garden doesn’t need a lot of spaces to be relaxing and beautiful; the backyard of an ordinary household is quite sufficient.
Seasonal Expression: The design celebrates the changing seasons. Spring brings fresh buds and pomegranate blossoms; summer offers lotus and the fragrance of gardenias; autumn glows with golden ginkgo foliage and autumn azaleas; winter balances evergreen structure with deciduous stillness, for calming experience.
Revealing Through Discovery: Rather than revealing itself all at once, the garden unfolds gradually. Screens, water reflections, and mirrored surfaces frame shifting views, encouraging visitors to pause, wander, and discover new perspectives.
KEYBOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME
Ag Acorus gramineus ‘Ogan’ Golden sweet flag
Aj Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ Gold Dust Tree
Da Dichondra argentea Dichondra ‘Emerald Falls’ ‘Emerald Falls’
A GARDEN DESIGNED TO TAKE THE HEAT OUT OF THE DAY.
Inspired by the courtyards and shaded corners of Portugal, this garden is shaped by the feeling of stepping out of harsh sun into softer air and gentler light. Small, welcome moments when the day suddenly feels easier.
The garden is anchored by dappled light, soft, shifting shade that instantly changes how a space feels. A semi-dome arbour adds an immediate layer of shelter above the planting, creating the atmosphere of a grown-in canopy from the very first day.
The planting is resilient and textural, mixing Mediterranean favourites with hardy Australian natives. Silvery
foliage and soft greens are balanced with deeper, smoky tones that bring depth and make the whole space feel visually cooler.
A few edible plants are tucked in amongst the foliage — a quiet nod to my hospitality background and to the idea that gardens can offer nourishment in more than one way, even in the smallest plantings.
Dense, layered planting creates enclosure, softens heat and adds the gentle rustle that gives a garden life. Beneath the Canopy is simply a place to pause, calm, green and instantly more comfortable than the world just beyond its edges.
KEYBOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME
As Acca sellowiana Pineapple Guava
Co Cydonia oblonga ‘Smyrna’ Quince
Fc Ficus carica ‘Figalicious’ Fig
Pc Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistachio
Ba Backhousia anisata Aniseed Myrtle
Cc Cotinus coggygria x obovatus ‘Grace’Smoke Bush
En Eremophila nivea ‘Blue Velvet’ Silky Eremophila (grafted)
Ln Laurus nobilis Bay Laurel
Am Agastache mexicana ‘Maestro Coral’Agastache
Aa Artemisia absinthium Wormwood
Cca Cynara cardunculus Globe Artichoke
Fv Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’Bronze Fennel
Gl Gaura lindheimeri ‘Soda Pop’ Gaura
Ms Miscanthus sinensis Dwarf Miscanthus ‘Yakushima Dwarf’
Ca Chrysocephalum apiculatum Yellow Buttons ‘Desert Flame’
R Rosa ‘Cécile Brünner’ Climbing Rose
EBONY LEA CETINICH SUNSET OVER SALT LAKE
SUNSET
OVER SALT LAKE IS INSPIRED BY THE SALT LAKE OPPOSITE THE DESIGNER’S HOME IN MILDURA, WHERE WATER IS SCARCE AND BEAUTY IS OFTEN QUIET AND OVERLOOKED.
Capturing the moment at sunset when soft light and pastel hues shift across a seemingly barren surface, the garden invites visitors to slow down, notice what is often overlooked, and reconsider climateresponsive landscapes as spaces of beauty and resilience.
The planting design draws from the salt lake environment through a restrained palette of silvers, blue-greys and soft rusts. Planting density shifts with changing conditions, with an emphasis on drought and salt-tolerant species chosen for their structure, foliage and resilience rather than seasonal floral display.
An abstract sunset mural wraps the garden in soft colour, creating an immersive backdrop that softens and frames the space. Evoking the shifting hues of sunset, the mural captures the calm and stillness of
this daily moment, enhancing the planting palette without acting as a literal depiction.
A central salt lake element anchors the design through a shallow pond and textured paving that reflect water scarcity and the drying, fractured patterns of a salt lake. Formed in custom white concrete with crushed white quartz infill, these surfaces reinforce the salt-like qualities of the landscape.
Sculptural log elements reflect the harsh realities of the inland climate, weathered by the elements yet still striking in their form. A hand-crafted log bench seat offers a place to pause and reflect, echoing the quiet experience of sitting at the lake’s edge, while a bronze pelican sculpture acknowledges the wildlife that regularly frequents these environments, grounding the garden in observation, stillness and place.
SPONSORS Botanix Plant Supply • Willies Wildlife Sculptures • Australian Inland Botanic Gardens • First People of the Millewa Mallee • GrowAbility Nursery
White Quartz and White Sand
glabra 'Amber Carpet'
Eremophila subfloccosa ssp lantana
White Concrete Pavers
Shallow Pond Log Bench Seat
Pelican Sculpture Feature Logs Painted Mural
SUZY’S SANCTUARY
JACK DALTON
THE GORDON
SUZY’S SANCTUARY AIMS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THOUGHTFUL USE OF SPACE, MATERIALS AND PLANTING, CAN EVOKE THE WARMTH AND FAMILIARITY OF A HOMELY GARDEN WHILE MAINTAINING STRONG DESIGN PRINCIPLES.
A garden, from my experience, should double as a living room, providing space to engage and relax; from pottering around to sharing with family and friends.
With freedom for the space to be personalised and change over time, it adds another layer in which a house becomes a home.
Taking heavy influence and inspiration from my late Mum, Sue, I have pieced together plants and materials from her own gardens,
and what reminds me of home in Humpty Doo.
A garden not demanding constant attention, yet engaging your senses to evoke the warmth and familiarity of a homely garden.
The surrounding garden beds use delicate white flowers to create a sense of rhythm, and ebb and flow like clouds shifting in perspective.
A WOMEN’S GARDEN INVITES EVERYONE TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTION THEY CAN MAKE IN DESIGNING AND CARING FOR THEIR GARDENS INTO THE FUTURE. WITH ROOM FOR FRUIT AND FLOWERS, PEST PROOF WORM TOWERS, SOCIAL SEATING AND CONTEMPLATIVE SHADE, THIS GARDEN INVITES BIRDS, BEES AND CUPS OF TEA.
A Women’s Garden is both a sanctuary for one, and a space to share, for adaptable women and their strong communities.
Women in their 50’s are one of Australia’s most at risk groups for homelessness in our current housing crisis. This garden celebrates their resourcefulness and creativity as they move into co-living arrangements and downsize into smaller spaces with shared courtyard gardens.
Soft carpets of native and culinary ground covers suggest spaciousness while being easy to care for and grounding to walk upon. The design balances joyful interaction with a compact canopy for climate adaptability. A Women’s Garden celebrates practices of care for our indigenous pollinator and plant species, our soils, ourselves and each other.
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
Ajuga reptans ‘Tuff and Tidy’ Bugleweed
Brachyscome multifida Rock Daisy
Chrysocephalum apiculatum Common Everlasting Daisy
Coleus australis Little Spurflower
Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ Silver Falls
Ficinia nodosa Knobby Club Rush
Kennedia nigricans Black Coral Pea
Laurus nobilis ‘Miles Choice’ Miles Choice Bay Tree
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Biloxi’ Lavender Crepe Myrtle
