Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2009

By James Wall

It was with much anticipation that I entered the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show on Wednesday morning. I was seeing the show at its freshest, and the weather was perfect. I was not disappointed. This years show had a real edge to it. You could feel it in the air. The management have long ago worked out what people want and they have catered for it. There are just so many plants and so many garden ideas to see, it is almost overwhelming. There was just enough major displays and the quality of their work was simply outstanding. Many displays had also used the existing trees and incorporated them into their design. This gave the show a real classical look.

Another major change to the show was the moving of amenity buildings from the front of the exibition buildings. Deservedly, the garden beds their now play a much more prominent role and it seems to open up the whole show. The plants in the beds are still very young, but in years to come, these beds will only get better. It was so nice to see people sitting on the grass around them and just taking it all in.

I love the metal work here. Designer is Paal Grant and the metal art comes from ..........

 

Entanglements, a Victorian company who suppies nurseries and landscapers. There was a focus on the bottle tree (Brachychiton) one of Australia's most mystical trees.

below: a real bottle tree and a metal one

Here's some of what looks like the new release edible kale from Oasis. Not only is it high in iron, the crinkly leaves look stunning. Available now. Also you can see some blue statice in the background. This was part of the AQL Landscape Design show garden.

Collectors Corner is a treasured part of Gardenworld and was at the show selling all types of unique plants that very few nurseries grow. Here is a snap of their stunning bromeliad display.

This is one of those gardenshow ideas that looks stunning, but in real life, may not work. Espaliered apple trees on a water tank may look good, but how long until those apples get stewed !

This was one of those absolute show stopper displays. It was done by Christian Jenkins Design. It was brilliant, although some of the plants would probably struggle in Melbourne - but up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland they would be perfect.

The other showstopping display was the lagoon by Phillip Johnson and it won "best in show". It included this amazing 250 kg glass blown chandalier which I believe was built by Phillip's brother and was inspired by kangaroo paws at sunset. Below it was a wonderland like lagoon, lush, alive and which left you in awe. The use of the existing park trees only added to the design. My photos just don't do it justice. Have a look at their website to see a time lapse movie of the construction project.

Once again there was plenty of floristry in the Royal Exibition Buildings. One of the things I enjoyed was to see about half a dozen florists all performing their craft in what looked to be a competition between themselves. The intricacy of their constructions looked very time consuming and I can see now why a florists creation is worth the money.

 

The garden beds around the fountain have moved with the times and are no longer filled with flowering annuals but still look colourful in their use of foliage, texture and varying heights.

Oasis Horticulture had a display that included this wall of their famous chillis. I believe most of these varieties they bred themselves. The garden walls are by Vivid Design.

Jason Hodges from Greenart and as seen on Better Homes & Gardens seemed to come of age at this show. He won a gold and was in tears at the awards dinner. It seems that this "kid" who just wanted to grow up and "mow a few lawns" has done more than that. Its great to see such passion in the industry and not just in front of the cameras either. This photo is only one part of his three part garden. The trees are Acer x freemanii "Autumn Blaze" and they are underplanted with Hydrangea Endless Summer - both varieties from Flemings. Speaking of Flemings, see some pics of their Student Design Competition here

 

This garden was called cool living, and it was very cool. Designed by Ros McCully and constructed by Syrah Landscapes.

My final 2 photos are of "relativity" which was designed by James Dawson Landscaper Design and constucted by Woodbridge Landscape Developments. It was inspired by a Dutch artisit called MC Escher and his gravity defying work called relativity. Look closely and you will see a garden on the roof of the building, as well as on the walls. Rooftop gardening is not just a gimmick, and can be insulative as well as offsetting carbon and reducing water runoff.

So there you have it, a few brief snaps of what was a very comprehensive 2009 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The standard was high, so the bar has been raised for 2010. Well done to all who were involved.