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MIFGS 2023
MIFGS 2023
MIFGS 2024
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Flowers

All the posts published

Recent Posts

Chelsea Flower Show 2026 Highlights and Trends
How Garden Designers Create a Connection Between People and Nature
Gardening Practices We Need to Learn From
Why Night Time Should Shape Your Garden Lighting Design
Designing a Garden That Grows With You

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inspiringlandscapes.com.au

Sometimes the hardest part of landscape design isn

Sometimes the hardest part of landscape design isn’t choosing what to include; it’s knowing what to leave out. 🌿⁠
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I could have added another twenty plants. Instead, every plant and every design element here has earned its place.⁠
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That’s my philosophy: beautiful gardens aren’t created by adding more. They’re created by giving every element a purpose.⁠
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Now comes the magic: watching the garden grow into itself.⁠
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Huge thanks to @lumpsculpture for creating these beautiful custom screens. They finish this minimalistic design perfectly.⁠
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📸 2025 Blackburn project. Completed in July 2025⁠.

A garden should never tell you its whole story in

A garden should never tell you its whole story in the first five minutes. 🌿⁠
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It should reveal itself slowly.⁠
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Around a bend in the path.⁠ Behind a cloud of soft sage foliage.⁠ In the form of a bronze rabbit who, for the record, has been promoted to chief plant security officer. 🐇⁠
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I love weaving little moments like this into my landscapes because they’re about so much more than decoration.⁠
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They’re moments of surprise.⁠ Moments of joy.⁠ Moments that make you pause, smile and look a little closer.⁠
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That’s my design philosophy.⁠
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Not simply creating beautiful gardens. Creating gardens that people never quite finish discovering.⁠ Long after people forget which plant it was, they’ll remember how the garden made them feel.⁠
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Let us know in the comments how your garden makes you feel.⁠
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📸 2023 Glen Iris project⁠
@pk____photography

I don’t think it’s the plants that heal us.⁠ I thi

I don’t think it’s the plants that heal us.⁠ I think it’s the pause.⁠
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That moment when your morning coffee somehow tastes better outside.⁠
When the birds are louder than your phone and the breeze reminds you there’s no prize for rushing through life (unless you’ve got a possum stealing your tomatoes, then all bets are off). 🍅😂)⁠
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After years of designing gardens, I’ve realised something.⁠ People rarely remember the exact paving, the feature tree or the colour of the flowers.⁠
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They remember how the garden made them feel, and that’s why I don’t just design beautiful landscapes.⁠ I design for the quiet moments.⁠
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The morning coffee that turns into twenty peaceful minutes.⁠ The family dinner that drifts outside because no one wants to leave.⁠ The kids who somehow stay outdoors longer than they stay on their iPads.⁠
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To me, that’s what great landscape design is really about.⁠ Not filling every corner with plants, chasing trends or creating a garden that’s admired for five minutes.⁠ Creating a place that gently invites you to slow down, every single day.⁠
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The most valuable part of any garden isn’t what you see; it’s what you experience.⁠ If your garden gives you even one quiet moment to breathe, reconnect or simply be present, then it has already done something extraordinary.⁠
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🌱 What’s your favourite quiet moment in the garden? I’d love to hear what keeps drawing you back outside.⁠

🌿 Herbs at the shop are quietly draining your wall

🌿 Herbs at the shop are quietly draining your wallet.⁠
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Imagine stepping outside, snipping a handful of fresh basil for your pasta, mint for your tea, or rosemary for your roast, all without leaving home.⁠
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Growing your own herbs isn’t just satisfying: it can save money, reduce waste, and add incredible flavour to your meals. ⁠
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Better yet, you don’t need a huge backyard. Many herbs are perfectly happy growing in pots or even on a sunny windowsill. 🌱⁠
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Ready to discover which herbs are easiest to grow, which ones thrive indoors, and a few surprising favourites you might not have considered?⁠
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👉 Your future self (and your taste buds) will thank you! Read our blog about growing herbs, and tell us what’s the one herb you can’t live without. 🌿👇⁠
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https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/growing-herbs/⁠
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📸 Nunawading project design detail

🌿 Give a vine an inch, and it’ll redecorate your e

🌿 Give a vine an inch, and it’ll redecorate your entire house. 😉⁠
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Climbing plants are the ambitious overachievers of the garden. Give them a fence, pergola, wall or trellis, and they’ll happily cover it; then politely ask if they can have the gutters, roof and your next door neighbour’s fence too. 😅⁠
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The good news? Keeping them in line is much easier than staging a botanical intervention.⁠
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✂️ Prune little and often. A quick trim every few weeks beats wrestling a leafy monster at the end of the season.⁠
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🌱 Guide new growth. A little training now saves a lot of untangling later and helps create a fuller, more beautiful display.⁠
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💧 Feed and mulch each year. Think of it as paying your climber in exchange for good behaviour (results may vary!). 🌸⁠
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🍃 Remove dead, damaged or overcrowded stems. Better airflow means a healthier plant and fewer unwanted visitors.⁠
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The secret to stunning climbers isn’t endless maintenance; it’s a few small jobs done regularly. Keep them happy, and they’ll reward you with flowers, fragrance and lush greenery, without attempting world domination. 🌿⁠
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✨ What’s your favourite climber? Star jasmine, wisteria, bougainvillaea, climbing roses or another garden superstar? Tell us below! 👇⁠
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📸 Caulfield Grammar, Melbourne, Wheelers Hill campus

🌸 My hydrangeas have more wardrobe changes than I

🌸 My hydrangeas have more wardrobe changes than I do. 😂⁠
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When I think I know what colour they’ll be, they surprise me again. Honestly, living with hydrangeas is like having a friend who changes their hair colour every season, and somehow pulls it off every time. 😍⁠
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Most flowers seem to make up their minds and stick to one colour. Hydrangeas, on the other hand, wake up and choose chaos.⁠
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One year, they’re blue. Next, they’re pink. Sometimes they can’t decide and settle somewhere in between with gorgeous purple blooms. It’s like having a flower with multiple personalities, and I’m here for it.⁠
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I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved them. Those giant fluffy flower heads make such a statement, and when you think you’ve figured them out, they surprise you again.⁠
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And can we talk about how they refuse to quit? Even after the blooms have faded, I can’t bring myself to cut them off. Those dried flowers hanging around through the seasons have a charm all their own. ⁠
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They’re basically the garden equivalent of saying, “I’m not done being fabulous yet.” ✨⁠
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If you ask me, hydrangeas are proof that you don’t always need to have everything figured out. Sometimes changing your mind is part of the beauty. 💙⁠
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🌿 If your hydrangeas could pick their outfit for the season, what would they wear? Team dreamy blue, pretty pink, classic white, or somewhere in the “I can’t decide” purple camp? 👇😄⁠
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📸 2023 Glen Iris detail @pk____photography⁠.

🪵 Who needs boring chairs when you can sit on art?

🪵 Who needs boring chairs when you can sit on art? 😍⁠
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These tree stumps have officially had the ultimate glow-up. Once minding their own business as ordinary bits of timber, they’ve come back for a second act as stunning pieces of art that just happen to be excellent seats. Talk about overachievers. 😂⁠
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☕ To some, these are the perfect spots for a morning coffee.⁠
👑 To kids, they’re royal thrones, pirate ships, or secret headquarters.⁠
🎭 To guests, they’re guaranteed conversation starters.⁠
🌳 And to nature lovers, they’re a wonderful way to give a beloved tree a whole new story.⁠
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Functional art like this proves your garden doesn’t have to take itself too seriously. Sometimes the most memorable spaces are the ones that make people smile, spark a little imagination, and have visitors asking, “Where did you get THAT?!”⁠
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✨ So, let’s hear your wild ideas! If you could turn one everyday garden item into a work of art, what would it be? A wheelbarrow fountain? A birdbath disco ball? A mailbox castle? We can’t wait to hear your creations! 😄👇⁠
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📸2026 MIFGS Indigenous garden

Sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t the planting

Sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t the planting; it’s redesigning the landscape to stop saying, “Good luck getting to the front door!” 😂🌿⁠
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I was originally brought in to develop the planting design after most of the hardscape had already been locked in. As the project evolved, I had the opportunity to work closely with the clients and builder to refine key elements of the design.⁠
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Together, we improved functionality, adjusted material and colour selections, and strengthened the relationship between the home and the landscape. Those early design refinements will make a huge difference to how the garden feels and functions for years to come.⁠
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This beautiful new home has fantastic architectural bones, but the dramatic level changes called for a landscape that could soften the climb and create a far more welcoming arrival. Rather than simply filling spaces with plants, every garden was carefully considered as part of a larger composition.⁠
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Strong evergreen structure frames the architecture, while layered seasonal planting brings colour, texture and interest to every garden pocket throughout the year. ⁠
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Productive gardens sit conveniently besides the kitchen, every major window now looks onto greenery instead of blank boundaries, and generous lawns and meandering pathways create spaces that invite you to slow down and explore.⁠
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A dedicated location for a feature sculpture has also been built into the front garden, creating a memorable focal point that gives the home its own identity and a true sense of arrival. This is something that sets it apart from every other house on the street.⁠
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Great landscape design isn’t about squeezing plants into every spare corner; it’s about ensuring the hardscape, planting and architecture all work together. ⁠
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When those elements are considered as one, the result is a home that feels balanced, welcoming and deeply connected to its landscape, even if the plants need a little time to catch up. 🌱⁠
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📸 Wheelers Hill design June 2026

🍅 STOP APOLOGISING FOR YOUR MESSY GARDEN. 🍅⁠ ⁠ In

🍅 STOP APOLOGISING FOR YOUR MESSY GARDEN. 🍅⁠
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In a world full of picture-perfect garden photos, it’s easy to think every bed should be weed-free, every row straight, and every plant thriving. But real gardens are rarely perfect.⁠
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They have weeds, overgrown corners, forgotten pots, and plants doing their own thing. Yet despite the mess, they still produce tomatoes, herbs, beans, pumpkins, and countless moments of joy.⁠
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A thriving garden isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.⁠
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So if your garden looks a little wild right now, don’t be discouraged. Every flower blooming, every vegetable growing, and every bee visiting is proof that nature doesn’t need perfection to work its magic.⁠
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💚 What’s growing in your “imperfect” garden right now? Drop a photo or tell us in the comments; we’d love to celebrate the beauty of real, lived-in gardens with you!⁠

Chelsea’s hottest trend? Going Australian. 🌿⁠ ⁠ Th

Chelsea’s hottest trend? Going Australian. 🌿⁠
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The 2026 Chelsea Flower Show unveiled the garden trends set to influence outdoor spaces around the globe, but a few of them might feel surprisingly familiar.⁠
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Think stunning landscapes that work with nature, clever design ideas that save water, and a colour trend that’s about to be everywhere.⁠
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The question is, which of these global trends actually make sense for Australian backyards?⁠
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We’ve rounded up the biggest takeaways from Chelsea and revealed how you can bring them home without needing a royal-sized garden. 👑🌱⁠
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👉 Read the full blog and discover the trends worth watching (and the ones your garden will thank you for): https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/chelsea-flower-show-2026-highlights-and-trends/⁠

🧺 WHO SAID YOU NEED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE TO HAVE A GR

🧺 WHO SAID YOU NEED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE TO HAVE A GREAT PICNIC? 🌳⁠
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It’s National Picnic Month, and we’re here to remind you that one of the best picnic spots might just be a few steps from your back door!⁠
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Your backyard already has everything you need: fresh air, sunshine, birdsong, and a front-row seat to your favourite flowers, trees, and garden visitors. No traffic, no crowds, and no fighting for the perfect spot under a tree.⁠
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Spread out a blanket, pack some snacks, pour a cold drink, and suddenly your garden transforms into your own private outdoor retreat.⁠
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🌼 Bonus points if you can spot a bee visiting your flowers, a butterfly passing through, or a cheeky bird hoping you’ll share your lunch!⁠
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Sometimes the best adventures aren’t found miles away; they’re waiting right outside your window.⁠
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🥪 What’s your ultimate picnic food? Tell us in the comments and tag someone you’d love to share a backyard picnic with this month!⁠

💃 Meet the drama queen of the garden, the fuchsia.

💃 Meet the drama queen of the garden, the fuchsia. 🌸⁠
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Honestly, if flowers held talent shows, fuchsias would be taking home the trophy every year. With their colourful blooms dangling like tiny ballerinas twirling in the breeze, they know how to make an entrance.⁠
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And the colour choices? Oh, they don’t do subtle. We’re talking pinks, purples, reds, whites, lavenders, and combinations so gorgeous they almost look photoshopped. 😍⁠
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The best part? They’re not just showing off for us. Bees absolutely adore them, so while you’re admiring the flowers, the pollinators are busy treating them like the hottest restaurant in town. 🐝🌺⁠
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Whether they’re hanging out in baskets, showing off in pots, or stealing the spotlight in the garden bed, fuchsias have one job: making everything around them look fabulous.⁠
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✨ So, fuchsia fans, we have to know: are these garden divas growing at your place? Share a photo below or tell us your favourite variety. Bonus points if you’ve ever stopped mid-walk just to admire one! 🌸👇⁠
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📸 Glen Iris @pk____photography

🚨 FOOTPATHS ARE NOT A SOLO ACT 😂⁠ ⁠ If your garden

🚨 FOOTPATHS ARE NOT A SOLO ACT 😂⁠
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If your garden path is just one material from start to finish, we need to talk.⁠
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Great footpaths aren’t about picking one thing and hoping for the best; they’re about mixing materials like a designer with a very stylish agenda. 😏⁠
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Think of it like this:⁠
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🧱 Stone = the strong, dependable lead actor⁠
🪨 Gravel = the laid-back supporting character who fills in the gaps⁠
🪵 Timber = the warm, natural storyteller⁠
🌿 Ground cover plants = the dramatic softening effect that steals scenes when you’re not looking⁠
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Put them together properly? Magic. ✨⁠
Put them together randomly? Tripping hazard meets DIY regret. 😬⁠
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A well-designed path does more than just get you from A to B. It guides the eye, controls movement, softens hard edges, and actually makes the journey feel like part of the garden experience. Nobody wants a “hospital corridor vibe” in their backyard. 😅⁠
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👉 Are your garden paths working together, or just existing side by side awkwardly like strangers at a BBQ? 😂👇⁠
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📸 Murrumbeena 2022 project detail @paul.osta.photography

🌴 Some views don’t need a filter; just your attent

🌴 Some views don’t need a filter; just your attention. 🌊⁠
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One look at Cairns Marlin Marina (hello school holiday escape 👋) and suddenly that never-ending to-do list doesn’t feel quite so urgent anymore. Funny how quickly your priorities shift when a landscape invites you to slow down and simply be present.⁠
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Still water. Swaying palms. Boats drifting gently in the marina. Mountains fading softly into the distance. It’s the kind of setting that quietly pulls you out of your head and back into the moment.⁠
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And that’s exactly why landscape design matters.⁠
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The most memorable outdoor spaces aren’t just beautiful to look at; they’re designed to make us feel something. A thoughtfully positioned tree, the calming presence of water, layers of greenery, and spaces that encourage pause and connection can help reduce stress, restore our focus, and create a sense of wellbeing.⁠
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Great landscape design isn’t simply about what we see; it’s about how a space makes us feel.⁠
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📍 Cairns Marlin Marina is a beautiful reminder that the best landscapes create moments of calm, connection, and perspective.⁠
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💙 What outdoor space instantly helps you switch off and slow down? Tell us in the comments.⁠
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📸 Cairns Marlin Marina in Cairns, Queensland

🌱 Every garden starts with hope. 🌱⁠ ⁠ Planting a g

🌱 Every garden starts with hope. 🌱⁠
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Planting a garden is one of life’s most optimistic acts. You place something small into the ground, nurture it, and trust that in time it will grow into something beautiful.⁠
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It’s a reminder that good things take time. That patience has rewards. And that even the smallest actions today can create something extraordinary tomorrow.⁠
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Whether it’s a single flower, a shade tree, or an entire landscape, every garden is a vote of confidence in the future. 🌿⁠
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👉 What are you planting, growing, or dreaming about in your garden right now? We’d love to hear what’s inspiring you this season. 💚⁠

🍂 If your pool spends more time collecting leaves

🍂 If your pool spends more time collecting leaves than people, we need to talk. 😂💦⁠
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If you’re constantly fishing leaves, flowers, and mystery twigs out of the water, your hedges may have mistaken the pool for an all-you-can-eat buffet, and they’re generous sharers. 😂⁠
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Sure, lush shrubs and privacy hedges can make your backyard feel like a five-star resort. But left unchecked, they can also become that one guest who shows up uninvited and makes a mess.⁠
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🍃 Pool skimmer: “I’ve had enough.”⁠
🍂 Filters: “Not another leaf!”⁠
😩 You: “I cleaned this yesterday!”⁠
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A little trim here and there can keep the peace between your plants and your pool, leaving you with more time to relax and less time to play the professional leaf collector.⁠
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The only things that belong in your pool are swimmers, floaties, and perhaps a refreshing beverage. 🍹😎⁠
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🏖️ Tell us: What’s your secret weapon for creating those holiday vibes at home? Palm trees? Frangipanis? Giant bird of paradise? Or are you proudly Team “Anything That Doesn’t Shed”? 😂👇⁠
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📸 Camberwell design 2024. Picture courtesy of Abercromby’s Real Estate

🌿 Confession time. I’ve never really trusted a pla

🌿 Confession time. I’ve never really trusted a plant that doesn’t need water. 😂⁠
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Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room (or should I say the plastic plant in the corner 👀). I’ll admit it, I’ve never been fully convinced by artificial plants.⁠
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Yes, modern ones can look extremely realistic now. Like, suspiciously good. But no matter how fancy the tech gets, they still can’t compete with the joy of watching a real plant grow, change, bloom, and bring a space to life. 🌱✨⁠
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That little moment when a plant you’ve nurtured suddenly thrives? You don’t get that from a dust-collecting replica. And speaking of dust, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side. 😬⁠
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Artificial plants might be “low maintenance”, but they definitely aren’t “no maintenance”. They collect dust and need cleaning, and they don’t exactly improve indoor air quality (unless you count giving your allergies a workout 😂).⁠
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Real plants? They actually do something: clean the air, shift with the seasons, and respond to how you care for them. At the end of the day:⁠
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🌿 Real plants grow with you.⁠
🪴 Artificial plants sit there looking pretty (and collecting dust if you forget them 😅).⁠
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So here’s the question I have to ask:⁠
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👉 Are you Team Real Plants (messy, alive, and worth it) or Team Artificial (easy, tidy, and a little bit “install and pretend”)? 😂👇⁠
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Read our blog to make an “educated” decision: https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/using-artificial-plants/⁠
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📸 Murrumbeena project detail @paul_osta_photography

🍎 Imagine walking outside for a snack, and your tr

🍎 Imagine walking outside for a snack, and your tree hands you one. 🍎⁠
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There’s something pretty magical about having your own apple tree in the backyard. One minute you’re admiring the blossoms, and the next you’re biting into a crisp, homegrown apple that travelled a total of 10 metres to your kitchen!⁠
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🌳 Two simple tips to keep your apple tree happy:⁠
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✅ Prune during winter to improve airflow and encourage healthy fruit production.⁠
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✅ Give it a deep soak during dry periods rather than frequent shallow watering. Apple trees prefer a good drink now and then.⁠
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🤯 Fun fact: Apples are members of the rose family! That’s right; your apple tree is actually related to roses, strawberries, raspberries, and even almonds.⁠
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Whether you’re growing apples for pies, snacks, cider, or to enjoy the spring blossoms, an apple tree is one of the most rewarding additions to any backyard.⁠
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🍏 If you had an apple tree, what would be the first thing you’d make with your harvest? Apple pie? Crumble? Cider? Tell us in the comments 👇!⁠
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📸Glen Iris detail @pk____photography. An apple 'S’-shape‘ espalier, supplied by @merrywoodplants⁠

Not all great gardens are built overnight; this on

Not all great gardens are built overnight; this one is still unfolding. 🤍⁠
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This one’s been a slow, thoughtful journey, and honestly, that’s what’s made it so special.⁠
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The front garden is still evolving, with the clients implementing the planting in stages. We’ve been working through it together: checking in, adjusting things as they grow in, and making small tweaks along the way. ⁠
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It’s not a rush job; it’s a process, and it’s been really rewarding watching it take shape piece by piece.⁠
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There’s something nice about not having everything “finished” all at once. It gives the garden space to breathe and the clients time to connect with it as it grows.⁠ Parts of this project have been a real hands-on labour of love. ⁠
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The decking and basketball trellis were DIY, which adds an entirely different layer of meaning to the space. You can feel that personal investment when you’re there. It’s not just designed; it’s lived in.⁠
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Projects like this remind me that good gardens don’t happen overnight; they’re built slowly, with care, collaboration, and a bit of patience.⁠ A year on, it’s already starting to feel like home. 🌿⁠
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📸Pics 1-10: Wantirna project 2025⁠
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@dreamcourts
@andyconcreting

🐦✨ Want to know one of the quickest ways to tell i

🐦✨ Want to know one of the quickest ways to tell if a garden is truly thriving? Listen to it.⁠
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If your garden is alive with birdsong, fluttering wings, and the occasional cheeky visitor helping themselves to a snack, chances are you’ve created something special.⁠
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Birds bring so much more than beauty to a garden. Across cultures around the world, they symbolise hope, freedom, resilience, and connection to nature. For centuries, people have been inspired by their songs, mesmerised by their movements, and comforted by their presence.⁠
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And in the garden? They’re some of nature’s hardest workers. 🌿⁠
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Birds help pollinate plants, control insect populations, disperse seeds, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. But perhaps their greatest contribution is something less tangible; they make a garden feel alive.⁠
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There’s something magical about spotting a fairywren weaving through the shrubs, watching a honeyeater dart between flowers, or hearing a magpie’s morning warble while enjoying a coffee outdoors.⁠
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Want to encourage more birds into your garden?⁠
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🌱 Plant a variety of flowering natives⁠
🌳 Include trees and dense shrubs for shelter⁠
💧 Provide a freshwater source⁠
🍃 Leave some areas a little wild and natural⁠
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The result isn’t just a beautiful garden; it’s a living, breathing space full of movement, sound, and connection.⁠
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👉 What’s your favourite bird to see in the garden? Let us know below and tell us why it’s earned a place in your heart! 🐦💚⁠
⁠
📸Glen Iris detail - @pk____photography [figurine of a lovely blue wren]

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Flowers - Page 4 of 5 - Inspiring Landscape Solutions