Gardens for Life

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Bluestone cats paws pavers in Vermont South garden design
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, many yearn for a tranquil and lush outdoor space that doesn't demand constant attention. The reason is that we are innately connected with nature and that the colour green is connected to our feeling of being happy, at peace and calm. A flourishing, low-maintenance garden is an achievable dream and a source of solace and beauty. However, this is separate from a…
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Bright pink rose arbour
Australia's diverse climate and unique flora make it a paradise for garden enthusiasts. Whether you're a city dweller with a balcony garden or lucky enough to have a sprawling backyard, gardening in Australia offers many possibilities. If you're a novice gardener eager to nurture your green thumb, we've got you covered with essential tips to help you successfully embark on your gardening journey. Gardening is rewarding and fulfilling, especially in…
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Water logged soil
Swampy or water-logged soils can be a complex problem to deal with. They can wreak havoc on your garden and ruin the look of your yard, not to mention how uncomfortable they can make it when you’re walking around outside! This issue takes time to fix, and sometimes it has to be tackled from many angles.  No single solution resolves excess drainage (in my view), especially with the continued heavy…
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Bright Colours and Smells Are A Must For Sensory Gardens
Creating a sensory garden is both rewarding and fun. It’s a great way to add interest and enjoyment to your outdoor space. Sensory gardens are an exciting place for kids and adults to connect with nature as it combines hardscape elements and plants in such a way as to entice the person wandering through the garden to have that sense of amazement viewing the space, touch, smell, hear sounds and…
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Leucophyta brownii in Vermont South landscape design
Gardening is an enjoyable hobby (or, for some of us, an obsession ), but not all of us have the time or energy to maintain a garden that requires constant upkeep. If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your outdoor space with minimal effort, try these 12 low maintenance garden ideas. Plant Drought-Resistant Plants Many types of succulents, cacti and other plants are naturally adapted to survive in…
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Red neoregelia feature bromeliad and red daisies in planting design
Wow, what a month it’s been so far!  If you haven’t kept up with me lately, you might not have known I had one of my border garden designs presented at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) last week. It was a fantastic experience that I’d do again if given a chance. A Bit About MIFGS MIFGS is Australia's premier horticultural event. It brings together some of the…
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Sneak peak of my eclectic garden at MIFGS 2023
I find competitions fun, and you’ve got nothing to lose. So, I entered the competition that the London College of Garden Design put on for the Border Gardens category. So what is a Border Garden?  In layman’s terms, this means a planting design for a small space garden. With the increase of units and apartments, many of us don’t have large backyards as we used to, BUT we still want…
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Purple metal screen lit up in Wantirna South garden
Heard of the saying “You pay for what you get”? Well, that’s the case when it comes to landscaping. There’s a lot of work involved and a lot of long hours put in behind the scenes by the landscaper. Depending on how big the job is, they may well have someone working with them as well. I’ll give credit where credit is due, hiring a landscaper isn’t something that you…
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Urban food garden in productive part of Kew landscape design
Sustainable living became a buzz word when the pandemic started and many of us spent a lot more time in our homes and were needing to find things to do. It’s a great way to save money and if you choose to have a home garden, picking your own fruit, vegetables and herbs is very rewarding. For some people, when they first start looking into sustainable living it can be…
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Plan your garden space with purpose
I get asked this question a lot, and my two standard responses are as soon as possible (provided that you are mentally ready to commit to the process) and with the expectation that you give the process enough thought/time to create a space that truly suits your needs. However, many of us think about our gardens sometimes as an afterthought or as a reaction to specific triggers like warmer weather…
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Yellow rambling rose
The beauty, resilience and fragrance of roses have made them a favourite of gardeners, flower lovers and a symbol of love for centuries. They’re known as the flower of choice for Valentine’s Day, although I’m sure many of us would be happy to receive any variety of flowers! There is a rose to suit every sunny spot in your garden, particularly if there is limited space. You can have them…
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Bee pollinating a stunning purple flower in a garden
Australia's gardens are home to various pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps and flies. They play an essential role in gardens and ecosystems. Each has a vital role in helping plants reproduce and thrive, so it is necessary to provide suitable habitats for these animals if we want our gardens to be full of colour and life. Pollinators transfer the pollen between flowers so plants can be fertilised and produce…
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Bright pink rose arbour
It's no secret that spending time in nature can calm our minds and bodies. We all know that laughter is good for us, and we often feel better after we’ve had a good laugh. What if I told you that gardens and plants could be better for your health than a good laugh? Let’s look at both laughter and gardens. Always Feel Great After A Good Laugh Laughter is great…
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Custom deck shaped like a river bed joining a wall to wall cascading water feature in Maribyrnong landscape design
Creating a healing garden in your backyard can be incredibly beneficial and relaxing. Not only does it provide you with an outdoor escape to enjoy the beauty of nature, but it can also help improve your physical and mental health. Healing gardens are places of tranquillity and refuge. They have been used for centuries to restore, refresh and relax the body, mind and soul. They may be small or large, but…
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Lavender patch in Brighton landscape design
A modern cottage garden is a combination of traditional and contemporary styles that are intended to create a quaint and cosy atmosphere. It combines plants and flowers that were once widely used in traditional cottage gardens with more modern varieties and design elements. This includes roses, daisies, lavender, and hollyhocks. Modern cottage gardens typically feature lush, colorful plantings, bold shapes, and unique pathways or walkways, which create an intimate atmosphere.…
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Urban food garden in productive part of Bundoora landscape design
Spring is just around the corner! Have you ever considered a vegetable patch in your garden? We love creating gardens for families who appreciate the importance and value of growing your own food!⁠⠀ Here are some practical tips on considering vegetable patches for your design:⁠⠀ Choosing the location and aspect ⁠⠀ Materials to be used in the garden bed, eg softwood v hardwood, the chemicals in wood treatment/leeching and considering…
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Backyard grassed area in Burwood landscape design by Inspiring Landscape Solutions
Winter is the best time for tidying up your garden, pruning the plants, and preparing for spring.  If you can get over the mental block of how cold it is outside, you’ll reap the rewards in the couple of month’s time and also get some good exercise and keep warm to boot! So here are some tips for your winter garden care! Your winter garden to-do’s Declutter Honestly, winter’s the…
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Close up of purple shrub in Burwood landscape design by Parveen Dhaliwal
Creating a Planting Plan So you’ve landed upon a theme for your dream garden and it’s got you so excited that you’ve already decided on the hard materials, accessories, and layout for this oasis. The next step is - many would say - the most fun part. Choosing your plants! But how do you work out what plants to put in and where they should go? You’ve come to the…
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Closeup of lime espalier in Bundoora landscape design
Thought I'd write up on several discussions I've had the past couple of weeks from friends, family and clients about trying to get something edible planted in their garden. Most have said that they have no idea where to begin and some are curious about what else they can plant at this time of year! Well, happy to share some thoughts and tips to keep the spirit of giving going…
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Dramatic lighting effect in Hawthorn East front garden design
The brief When Cate contacted me, she wanted a garden that would suit her lifestyle and lift her space. Her impeccable taste in her newly-renovated townhouse and incredible interior detail helped shape the outdoor design. Cate wanted a garden that would flow with the exterior and could be enjoyed both during the day and at night. It had to feel modern and create an urban oasis of lush plant life…
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Corten wall lightbox used in Glen Waverley garden design
Do you want to learn what it takes to create the perfect outdoor space? A space that you love to look at and spend time in? We have developed a free comprehensive eBook just for you! This 10-page eBook will take you through: how to design the garden of your dreams. practical tips and inclusions based on your lifestyle. how to create harmony and flow between your home and garden.…
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Salvia used in Vermont South landscape design
Do you want to learn what it takes to create your dream garden? A space that you love to look at and spend time in?   We have developed a free comprehensive eBook just for you!   This 17-page eWorkbook will help: Map out your existing garden and identify problem areas Brainstorm new ideas Clarify what you want before contacting a landscape designer or contractor If you are not sure…
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Gardens for Life - Inspiring Landscape Solutions