MIFGS HIGHLIGHTS
Helen Young’s favourite126 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
Pure delight
Our gardening writer, Helen Young, loved all the sights at MIFGS.
But one garden kept pulling her back for another look...S
how gardens don’t necessarily translate to
real-life homes, but the Legacies garden,
pictured on these pages, was one I’d love
to own. Full of great ideas for a relaxed family
layout – cool, green spaces to sit, areas to entertain
friends, and spots where children could play –
it evoked tranquillity and relaxation. As the crowds
surveyed this scene, you could see people stop,
exhale and smile. “It’s beautiful,” they murmured.
The design made the most of the setting, beside
a small lake in Melbourne’s Carlton Gardens. I love
the idea of having a ‘picnic tree’ and the Legacies
garden was mapped around the boughs of an
existing variegated privet and a generous central
lawn area, just right for a family picnic.
Remarkably, the creators built a naturalistic creek
running through the garden, cleverly integrating an
infinity edge so that it appeared to be part of the
lake. In one corner, they’d created a pavilion roomy
enough for a crowd, while at the opposite corner,
stylish pod chairs rested on a separate platform.The whole set-up was imbued with a sense of
peace, which came from the palette of natural
materials and generous use of plants. From lush
ferns and grasses near the creek to colourful flowers
in the sunniest parts, plants were definitely the stars
of this show garden. Overall, there were more than
120 species and 10,000 plants on stunning display.
Steve Day, horticultural and landscape services
coordinator for the City of Whitehorse council in
eastern Melbourne, created the Legacies garden on
behalf of the Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria, to
showcase the rich variety of plants on offer to home
gardeners. The design did that and much more.
Steve’s concept invited people to think about
leaving behind something of meaning when they’re
gone, such as planting trees for future generations.
Think about it: trees produce oxygen, reduce
temperatures, improve physical and mental health,
and provide habitat. By providing nurturing garden
spaces for our children and grandchildren, we can
contribute to their lives in valuable ways. #1
BANKSIA
‘Birthday Candles’2
GREVILLEA
‘Superb’3
LEUCODENDRON
‘Jester’The Legacies garden made brilliant
use of its lakeside setting in Carlton
Gardens. Children could have great
fun playing and exploring in a
garden like this one, while the small
lawn under a sheltering privet would
be ideal for a family picnic spot.
Photography by Claire Takacs.