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MIFGS 2023
MIFGS 2023
MIFGS 2024
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Gardens for Life

All the posts published

Recent Posts

What Summer Reveals About Your Garden (And How to Fix It)
Simple Garden Tips to Set Your Garden Up for 2026
Prediction – Landscape Garden Trends For 2026 in Australia
How to Create a Slow Living Garden
When Landscape Designers and Architects Join Forces, Gardens Come Alive

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inspiringlandscapes.com.au

🤍🌿 Not all garden stars shout for attention;

🤍🌿 Not all garden stars shout for attention; some quietly steal your heart.⁠
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Enter cream clivias. Subtle, elegant, and completely captivating. While their bright orange cousins are bold and cheerful, cream clivias bring a softness that feels calm, refined, and effortlessly timeless.⁠
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Their creamy blooms glow in shaded garden spaces, lighting up areas where other plants struggle; under trees, along pathways, or tucked into quiet corners. ⁠
⁠And the best part? They’re tough. Once established, clivias are wonderfully low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and long-living, making them a joy for gardeners who love beauty without fuss.⁠
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Cream clivias also create a sense of calm in the garden. They pair beautifully with deep green foliage, natural stone, and timber, and they shine even more when planted in groups. It’s understated elegance at its finest; proof that sometimes the softest colours leave the strongest impression.⁠
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🌱 If you’re looking for a plant that brings grace, longevity, and quiet confidence to your garden, cream clivias might be your perfect match.⁠
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👉 Do you prefer the classic orange clivia, or are you team cream?⁠⁠
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📸Snap from my gorgeous client in Berwick⁠

🌞Summer is the season your garden tells the tru

🌞Summer is the season your garden tells the truth🌞⁠
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When the heat settles in, gardens stop being polite. Plants either thrive or struggle, shady spots become prized real estate, and suddenly you realise which areas you actually use, and which ones you quietly avoid.⁠
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Summer reveals a lot. It shows you where shade is missing, where water is being wasted, and which plants are doing all the hard work without complaint. ⁠
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It also highlights design decisions that looked fine in winter but don’t quite stack up when temperatures rise.⁠
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And here’s the good part: none of this is bad news. It’s insight. Once you understand what summer is showing you, fixing these issues becomes far more intentional and far less overwhelming. ⁠
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Often, small adjustments now can completely change how your garden feels next year.⁠
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We’ve unpacked all of this in our latest blog: What Summer Reveals About Your Garden (And How to Fix It) 🌿⁠
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👉 Read the blog and start using summer as your garden’s greatest teacher: https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/what-summer-reveals-about-your-garden-and-how-to-fix-it/ ☀️🌱⁠

Forest Hill, 2025 design approved by the City of W

Forest Hill, 2025 design approved by the City of Whitehorse! 🥅⚽️🌳⁠
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Love it when the work year begins with so many positives & invigorates me to pump out some more exciting designs this coming year!!!⁠
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This one was a challenging engagement purely from a stakeholder management perspective!!!⁠ On top of the usual stream of documentation for any of my designs, this involved much more paperwork as the process unfolded, to convey the design aesthetic, vision, and strategies to other stakeholders (council, neighbours, and local wildlife groups). ⁠
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The clients and I were very proactive and engaged with the City planners, and finally got this approved with no objections from the neighbourhood wildlife groups or neighbours! 🌟⁠
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Bonus: the client’s nature strip planting was approved, too! 🤩 They can have a “larger” front garden to enjoy whilst sharing it with local birdlife and supporting wildlife habitat too!⁠ Love it when it’s a win-win and everyone is happy with the outcome!!⁠
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I must say it has also been a pleasure working with Gokul and Danielle on this design. They were fully engaged, provided detailed feedback, and remained collaborative throughout. It was fun, and the creativity just flowed! ⁠
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I’m really looking forward to the final phase now, in the next couple of months, bringing it to life and tweaking the design further with their landscaping team to create the outdoor space they will enjoy and love! ⁠
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Below is a very thoughtful review from Gokul:⁠
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“I engaged Parveen to design our landscape and help navigate the complex council requirements Her attention to detail and knowledge of the process have been outstanding She’s been incredibly supportive throughout, and I’m excited to see her vision come to life Highly recommend!⁠”⁠
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#ourpassionyourgarden #inspiringlandscapesolutions #clientreview #testimonials #foresthill⁠
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📸 Pic 1: Forest Hill design: Rear garden 2025⁠
📸 Pic 1: Forest Hill design: Front garden 2025⁠
📸 Pic 3: Forest Hill design: Additional documentation required for council approval purposes, page 1 of 8!⁠

Nothing shouts a garden mural more than a mural of

Nothing shouts a garden mural more than a mural of stunning Australian flowers and birds. Obviously, this may be a tad too big for your garden wall, but can you imagine how gorgeous a smaller version of this would look?⁠
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You would be the talk of your neighbourhood. If you were to design an Australian mural for your garden, what would it include? Let us know in the comments below.⁠
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📸 Mooroolbark, Victoria

🌿✨ “A garden is where the soul finds solace

🌿✨ “A garden is where the soul finds solace, and the heart finds peace.”⁠
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There’s a reason this feels so true the moment you step outside. A garden asks nothing of us except to slow down. To breathe. To notice the quiet rhythm of growth happening whether we rush or not.⁠
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In the garden, worries soften. Hands in the soil steady the mind. Watching a plant grow, leaf by leaf, season by season, reminds us that not everything needs to happen all at once. Some things unfold in their own time.⁠
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Whether it’s a sprawling backyard or a small corner filled with pots, gardens become places of refuge. They hold our pauses, our reflections, and our moments of calm. And in a world that’s often loud and fast, that kind of peace is something truly special.⁠
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🌱 May your garden always be a place where you feel grounded, restored, and at home.⁠

💚Natives. 💚⁠ ⁠ Late post!!!😆 On Aust

💚Natives. 💚⁠
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Late post!!!😆

On Australia Day, our gardens quietly reflect the beauty and resilience of this country. From the soft silvery foliage of eucalypts to the vibrant blooms of grevilleas, banksias, and kangaroo paws, our native plants tell a story shaped by sun, wind, and time.⁠
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These plants don’t just look good; they belong here. They thrive in our climate, support local birds and pollinators, and remind us of the deep connection between land and life. ⁠
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A garden filled with natives hums with activity: honeyeaters darting between flowers, bees working tirelessly, leaves moving gently in the summer breeze.⁠
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Australia Day is a moment to step outside, feel the warmth of the day, and appreciate the natural beauty growing right at our feet. ⁠
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Whether it’s a backyard BBQ under a gum tree, a native wildflower in bloom, or a quiet pause in the shade, our gardens offer a space to reflect, connect, and celebrate.⁠
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🌱 Here’s to Australia; its landscapes, its flora, and the gardens that bring a little piece of it home.⁠ 💚⁠

🎨 Nature’s artwork. 🎨⁠ ⁠ A flower is n

🎨 Nature’s artwork. 🎨⁠
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A flower is nature’s artwork, and the more colours it carries, the more breathtaking the masterpiece. 🌸⁠
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When you really pause to look at a flower with layers of colour, it’s impossible not to see it as a piece of art. The way one hue gently fades into another, the contrast between the centre and the petals, the fine lines and patterns that look almost hand-painted; it’s design at its most effortless and extraordinary.⁠
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No two blooms are ever the same. Each one is a unique creation, shaped by light, soil, weather, and time. And just like art, a multi-coloured flower invites you to slow down, look closer, and notice the details you might otherwise rush past.⁠
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In the garden, these flowers do more than add colour. They bring depth, movement, and emotion. They remind us that beauty doesn’t have to be uniform; sometimes it’s the blending, the variation, and the contrast that make something truly special.⁠
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Next time you spot a flower bursting with colour, treat it like a gallery moment. Pause. Observe. Appreciate. Nature has been quietly creating masterpieces all along. 🌿✨⁠
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📸2021 Murrumbeena project⁠ detail
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@paul.osta.photography⁠

🌱🥕 Growing food at home isn’t just a trend

🌱🥕 Growing food at home isn’t just a trend; it’s a mindset shift.⁠
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More people are turning to veggie patches, herb pots, and fruit trees to slow down, reconnect with the seasons, and feel more involved in what they eat. Even the smallest harvest brings a sense of pride and purpose.⁠
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For families, it’s a chance to show kids where food really comes from. For adults, it’s grounding, rewarding, and surprisingly therapeutic. Beyond the personal benefits, growing food supports sustainability and better uses our garden spaces.⁠
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🌿 Whether it’s a full veggie patch or a few pots on a balcony, growing food is about connection: to nature, to nourishment, and to ourselves.⁠
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📸 Pic 1 2022 Kew Project: Rear garden vegetable patch and edible planting⁠
📸 Pic 2 2022 Bundoora project: Citrus espaliers
📸 Pic 3 2022 Bundoora project: Mini vegetable patch⁠
📸 Pic 4 2018 Camberwell project: Cumquat hedge⁠
📸 Pic 5 2012 Vermont South A project detail: Lemonade fruit⁠
📸 Pic 6 2016 Blackburn project: Mini orchard⁠
📸 Pic 7 2016 Blackburn project: Edible planting⁠
📸 Pic 8 2019 Mount Barker, SA project: Mini orchard⁠
📸 Pic 9 2022 Bundoora Project: Vegetables in pots
📸 Pic 10 2022 Glen Waverley: Vegetable patch⁠

🌱✨ Want a better garden in 2026 without worki

🌱✨ Want a better garden in 2026 without working harder?⁠
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The secret isn’t doing more; it’s doing the right things now. Late summer is the perfect time to pause, observe, and make small, intentional changes that set your garden up for long-term success.⁠
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From improving soil health and choosing low-maintenance plants to rethinking how you actually use your outdoor space, a few simple garden tips can make a world of difference. The kind that leads to healthier plants, less maintenance, and a garden that feels calmer and easier to enjoy.⁠
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We’ve broken it all down in our latest blog: Simple Garden Tips to Set Your Garden Up for 2026 🌿⁠
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👉 Read the blog and give your future garden (and future you) a head start:⁠
https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/simple-garden-tips-to-set-your-garden-up-for-2026/ 🌱⁠

🍷 Your outdoor entertaining area should always

🍷 Your outdoor entertaining area should always feel ready for a “why not?” moment. 🍷⁠
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You know the ones: unexpected guests, last-minute BBQs, warm nights that turn into long conversations. A great entertaining space isn’t just well-designed, it’s well-maintained, too.⁠
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A few thoughtful habits keep it feeling effortless:⁠
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✨ Wipe down benches and tables regularly so they’re always guest-ready⁠
🌿 Keep plants lightly trimmed so the space feels open, not overgrown⁠
💡 Check lighting: good lighting sets the mood and keeps things safe⁠
🪑 Give outdoor furniture some love (covers, quick cleans, shade when possible)⁠
🧹 Clear leaves and debris before they become a bigger job⁠
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When your outdoor area is easy to care for, it’s easier to use.⁠
Less prep. Less stress. More time enjoying good food, fresh air, and great company.⁠
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What makes an outdoor entertaining space feel inviting to you? 🍕⁠
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📸2022 Narre Warren Project rear garden & alfresco⁠
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@paul.osta.photography⁠

Gardening asks us to believe in something we can’t see yet, a tiny seed, holding the promise of colour, growth, and life. And every time we plant one, we’re quietly trusting that magic still exists.⁠
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That childlike belief shows up when we check the soil each morning, when we celebrate the first green shoot, and when we imagine what might bloom weeks or months from now. ⁠
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Gardening keeps wonder alive. It reminds us to be patient, hopeful, and open to small miracles.⁠
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Maybe that’s why time in the garden feels so grounding; it reconnects us with curiosity, optimism, and the simple joy of watching something grow.⁠
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👉 What’s a plant you’re currently waiting (and hoping!) to see sprout? 🌿⁠

💬 “What am I actually paying for?”⁠ ⁠
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Ever received a landscaping quote and thought about that?⁠
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Getting better landscaping quotes isn’t about chasing the cheapest number; it’s about clarity, confidence, and value. A good quote should tell a story, not leave you guessing.⁠
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The best landscaping quotes clearly outline what’s included, what’s not, timelines, materials, and allowances, so there are no surprises down the track. They’re based on honest conversations, site visits, and an understanding of how you actually want to use your outdoor space, not generic assumptions.⁠
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When you know what questions to ask and what to look for, comparing quotes becomes easier and smarter. Suddenly, you’re not just comparing prices, you’re comparing experience, transparency, and long-term outcomes.⁠
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👉 Our latest blog breaks down exactly how to get better landscaping quotes (and avoid costly mistakes along the way). If you’re planning a garden or outdoor project, this one’s a must-read:⁠
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https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/landscape-quote-process/⁠
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📸 2016 Glen Waverley project detail⁠

White roses have a way of speaking softly, yet lea

White roses have a way of speaking softly, yet leaving a lasting impression. They don’t demand attention with bold colour or dramatic flair; instead, they draw you in with their calm presence and timeless beauty.⁠
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Often associated with purity, new beginnings, remembrance, and peace, white roses carry a depth that goes far beyond aesthetics. ⁠
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In the garden, they create moments of pause. They soften spaces, brighten shaded corners, and bring a sense of balance wherever they’re planted.⁠
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What makes white roses especially powerful is how they interact with their surroundings. Against deep green foliage, they glow. Paired with natural stone or timber, they feel elegant and grounding. ⁠
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In the early morning light or at dusk, they almost seem to float; quiet, reflective, and effortlessly beautiful.⁠
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White roses also remind us that not everything needs to be loud to be impactful. Sometimes, restraint is what makes something truly special. They invite us to slow down, notice the details, and appreciate simplicity at its finest.⁠
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Whether planted as a feature or woven gently through a garden, white roses bring a sense of grace that never dates; a reminder that beauty can be both subtle and profound.⁠
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📸2021 Murrumbeena project detail⁠

🍋🌿A thriving lemon tree? Yes please!⁠ ⁠

🍋🌿A thriving lemon tree? Yes please!⁠
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Good news, it’s easier than you think! A few simple habits make all the difference:⁠
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☀️ Plenty of sunshine (they love the heat)⁠
💧 Deep watering, not too often⁠
🌱 Regular citrus feed during the growing season⁠
✂️ Light pruning for airflow⁠
🌿 Mulch to keep roots cool (keep it off the trunk)⁠
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Do this, and your lemon tree will reward you with glossy leaves, fragrant flowers, and fruit you’ll actually use.⁠
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👉 Lemon tree already growing, or still on the wish list?⁠
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📸 2025 Ardeer project detail⁠

Designing a garden isn’t just about selecting pl

Designing a garden isn’t just about selecting plants or creating a beautiful layout; it’s about people. It’s about listening closely, understanding what matters most, and allowing space for ideas to evolve naturally. ⁠
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We truly believe the best results come when clients feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the entire journey.⁠
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Yvette and Lukas are my clients from my Burwood project:⁠
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“Parveen is creative, accommodating, and so easy to work with. She went well and truly above and beyond and gave us the time we needed to get our result.”⁠
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“It was so nice to work with such a lovely and respectful person, and I cannot wait to see our garden come to life.”⁠
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Hearing this means everything to us. Gardens are deeply personal spaces, and being trusted to help shape them is something we never take lightly. We love taking the time to collaborate, refine, and ensure the final design feels right; not rushed, not forced, but thoughtfully considered.⁠
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We’re so grateful for this kind feedback and cannot wait to see this garden grow into a space full of life, beauty, and meaning.⁠
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👉 If you’re dreaming of a garden that feels considered, calm, and truly yours, we’d love to be part of your journey. For more details on my Burwood design, head to https://inspiringlandscapes.com.au/portfolios/burwood/⁠

🗿🌿 Garden Statues: The Secret Spice Your Gar

🗿🌿 Garden Statues: The Secret Spice Your Garden Didn’t Know It Needed!⁠
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Ever wandered through a garden and spotted a statue hiding between the plants, and instantly felt like you’d stepped into a storybook? Yep, that’s the magic of garden statues. ✨⁠
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They’re fun, unexpected, and the perfect way to add personality to your garden beds. Whether it’s a magical creature, a classic sculpture, a meditating figure, or something quirky that makes you smile every time you see it, statues bring a whole new layer of charm.⁠
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Garden statues can:⁠
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🌼 Create focal points⁠
🌱 Add height and structure⁠
👀 Draw the eye through different garden zones⁠
✨ Turn an ordinary bed into a conversation starter⁠
🌿 Bring a little mystery and playfulness to your outdoor space⁠
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And the best part? You get to choose something that reflects you. Your style. Your humour. Your vibe.⁠
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So go on; tuck a little character into your greenery and watch your garden transform from beautiful to unforgettable.⁠
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👉 Do you have a garden statue? What’s your favourite type?⁠
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📸 2018 Hawthorn project detail⁠

✨ “Garden as though you will live forever.”⁠ 🌿⁠
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What a beautiful way to think about gardening. Not rushed. Not perfect. Just intentional, hopeful, and full of belief in what’s to come.⁠
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To garden as though you’ll live forever is to plant trees whose shade you’ll enjoy for years, to nurture soil knowing it only gets better with time, and to choose plants not just for now, but for seasons ahead. It’s about patience, optimism, and trust in growth.⁠
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Gardening teaches us that good things take time. That showing up regularly matters more than doing everything at once. And that tending to something living, something that grows long after the day you plant it, is an act of quiet faith in the future.⁠
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So plant boldly. Care gently. And build a garden that keeps giving, year after year. 🌱⁠
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👉 What’s one plant in your garden you planted for the future?⁠ 💚⁠
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If happiness had a flower, it would definitely be

If happiness had a flower, it would definitely be an Argyranthemum. 😍⁠
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Bright, daisy-like blooms. Soft, silvery-green foliage. And that effortless, cheerful vibe that instantly lifts a garden (and your mood).⁠
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These beauties are absolute overachievers:⁠
🌼 Flowering for months on end⁠
☀️ Loving full sun⁠
🌿 Easy to grow and low-fuss⁠
🪴 Perfect in pots and garden beds⁠
🐝 A magnet for bees and pollinators⁠
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Argyranthemums are the kind of plant that make a space feel alive — tucked along a pathway, spilling from a pot, or mixed through a garden bed for that relaxed, cottage-meets-coastal look. They don’t demand attention … but they always get it.⁠
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If your garden needs a little extra joy, colour, and feel-good energy, this might be your sign to plant some. 🌼⁠
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👉 Are Argyranthemums already in your garden, or are they going straight on the wish list?⁠ 🤩💚⁠

As we say goodbye to another year, we’re feeling

As we say goodbye to another year, we’re feeling incredibly grateful for beautiful gardens, amazing clients, creative projects, and every little moment spent outdoors. 🎇⁠
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Here’s to the memories made in our gardens, the growth we’ve seen (in plants and in ourselves!), and the fresh possibilities waiting for us in the year ahead.⁠
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Whether you’re celebrating with friends and family or enjoying a quiet night under the stars, we hope your evening is filled with joy, reflection, and a touch of magic. ✨⁠
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🎆 Cheers to a bright, blooming, and inspiring New Year!⁠
We can’t wait to create even more beautiful spaces with you in the year to come.⁠

Who says garden design is only about plants and pa

Who says garden design is only about plants and pathways? Sometimes, the most unexpected showstopper is a mural tucked into your outdoor space. And wow, can it transform a garden!⁠
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It’s one of the quickest, boldest ways to transform a plain space into something unforgettable.⁠
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A mural can:⁠
🎨 Add personality and colour⁠
🎨 Create a stunning focal point⁠
🎨 Bring depth to small spaces⁠
🎨 Make your garden feel intentional and artistic⁠
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Whether it’s botanical, abstract, geometric, or deeply personal, a mural turns a blank wall into a story — one that grows more beautiful as the garden surrounds it.⁠
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Would you add a mural to your outdoor space? What style would you choose?⁠
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📸:⁠ Mural by Wongi ‘Freak’ Wilson, New Regent Street, Christchurch, New Zealand. Depicting a stunning woman in a glamourous dress, highlighting the eventful and theatrical history of the area which was established in 1932⁠

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Gardens for Life - Page 2 of 6 - Inspiring Landscape Solutions