THE MAKERS

In honour of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (25-29 March), event director Marcus Gale shares his top 10 gardens from the event’s 25-year history

I SEE WILD (2017)

In 2017, Phillip Withers Landscape Design captured the spirit of an entire country in its show garden I See Wild. The garden was a celebration of the Australian landscape, taking inspiration from our country’s natural rugged beauty and unique biosphere. Adorned with slabs of bluestone and hand-carved pavers, and bordered by native flowers, plants, and herbs, it was a true reflection of Australia’s natural terrain. This was a space where you felt truly immersed in nature and one which remained true to the designer’s testament: “I step out the back door, I see nature, I see wild”. Fourteen boys from Warrnambool’s Clontarf Academy helped design and engrave the bluestone pavers, telling a story using Indigenous symbols. For me, the real triumph of this design is its celebration of Australia’s First Nations culture.

THE OTHER SIDE (2019)

To me, the 2019 gold medal-winning garden The Other Side is a perfect iteration of the modern Australian backyard. Inspired by the wistful adage “the grass is always greener on the other side”, the garden was designed to reflect a sophisticated family backyard that offers something for everyone. The design and construction team of Jason Hodges, Candeo Design and Semken Landscaping (for Lawn Solutions Australia) collaborated to create a garden with a series of connected zones, featuring two expanses of lawn, a raised plunge pool, lush gardens and a central deck and pergola, perfect for entertaining. The result: a versatile and comfortable space to cater for all of life’s moments, providing a stylish and comfortable place to relax and enjoy for years to come.

CUBE2 (2013)