WHAT’S HOT OUTDOORS

DESIGNS FROM THIS YEAR’S MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW ARE A SHOWCASE OF THE LATEST IDEAS FOR YOUR GARDEN

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TROPICAL PARADISE

A big trend in gardens is to feature an open structure, be it a pergola, a gazebo, a pavilion or rows of arbours. These provide a purpose-built place for outdoor entertaining or a retreat where you can escape from the grind of daily routines, and become an integral part of your garden.

HEARTBEAT OF A GARDEN

Inner Calm, the award-winning garden by Christian Jenkins, features at its core a tropical, contemporary-style pavilion with skylights that allow the natural light to enter the soothing space.

PALMS FOR CALM

Add a little lush drama to the scene with two large dragon trees (Dracaena Draco) sitting in a pond that laps the pavilion. Then hug the garden from the perimeter with a mix of Chinese fan palms, Cocos palms and Washington palms.

GREEN’S THE SCENE

Foliage is the essence of this garden and combining the large umbrellas of fronds with finer, smaller leaves creates a point of difference. There are so many shades of green, with just a pop of red from the canna lilies.

COVER THE CRACKS

A big trend now is to have plantings included in pathways and other hardscapes. Here, the gaps between the pavers are filled with dichondra, allowing the hardscape to mingle with the rest of the greenery.

GUIDING THE WAY

Voluptuous clumps of limey nandina – or sacred bamboo – are like beacons of light, guiding you into a place of calm and reflection.

SOURCE OF STRENGTH