Nurturing creativity with nature

By Daniel Althaus

My journey into the world of show gardens has been nothing short of transformative. As a landscape designer, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate relationship between nature and design. However, stepping into the competitive arena of show gardens was a step into the unknown. This journey challenged my creativity, tested my resilience, and ultimately led me to return for a second year with even more passion and determination.

I can still remember the overwhelming nerves and sense of excitement I felt when I first decided to enter a design into the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. My journey began with a visit to the show with my mother-in-law, a landscaper and horticulturist, where I eagerly asked countless questions about entering and the constraints involved. In 2023, I finally had the chance to build my first show garden, thanks to the guidance of the Melbourne Polytechnic team. By then, I had a clear design idea in my mind, and it was just a matter of translating it onto paper and selecting the right planting palette.

I was particularly excited to use plants in unique ways, like incorporating planter boxes made from recycled timber, and I chose an all-native palette to attract wildlife. This included an Angophora costata as the feature tree, with Westringia fruticosa and Correa alba to build form. The garden combined contemporary elements, such as balling up plants for a structured aesthetic, with the wildness of the Australian landscape through coastal grasses like Austrostipa stipoides and vibrant wildflowers like Xerochrysum bracteatum and tall Anigozanthos sp.

The most challenging aspect of that first year was navigating the unknown, especially since I was about to become a father that same month. As the project progressed, I discovered that working within the constraints of a show garden was exhilarating. It pushed me beyond the usual parameters of my landscape design work and transformed the process into storytelling and evoking emotion. By the end, I had grown immensely as a designer, gaining insights that I could carry back into my everyday work.

Looking back, the first show garden experience was an intense learning curve. Nothing could have prepared me for the unexpected challenges – weather setbacks, supply chain delays, or last-minute design changes. However, each lesson was invaluable. I quickly learned that things will inevitably go wrong, but rather than letting obstacles deter me, I embraced them as opportunities to adapt and grow. This adaptability became one of the most important skills I took away from the experience.

Collaboration and mentorship were also crucial. A show garden isn’t the product of one person’s vision, it’s a collective effort. From landscapers and horticulturists to volunteers, everyone brought something unique to the table. Working with a diverse team taught me the importance of listening, learning, and appreciating different perspectives, which enriched the final design. Additionally, I realised the importance of talking to as many people as possible. The show garden community is filled with talented, passionate individuals eager to share their knowledge, and those conversations provided fresh ideas, techniques, and valuable advice that I carried into my next project.

The experience was exhilarating, and the results were beyond anything I could have imagined. To my delight, my debut garden received a silver medal and the People’s Choice Award. Suddenly, there was a lot of attention on my business, and I realised the potential impact that show gardens could have – not just on my career but also on how people experience and think about their gardens. The success and thrill of seeing my vision come to life on such a grand stage left me eager to do it all over again.

Returning for a second year felt natural, as I wasn’t content to rest on my laurels. This time, I wanted to push the boundaries further. We constructed a 2m high wave entirely out of moss and groundcovers, an ambitious project that tested my skills and creativity. This garden became a living testament to the idea that show gardens can be more than beautiful spaces; they can be thought-provoking, dynamic, and daring.

I’ve already started envisioning my next show garden, which will tell a deeply personal story and take viewers on an emotional journey filled with heartbreak and the triumph of overcoming the impossible. While I can’t reveal much yet, careful planning and thought will be essential to bringing this vision to life and ensuring the garden’s success.

This journey has been about more than awards and recognition; it’s been an education in pushing boundaries, creating a genuine connection to the horticulture industry, and exploring the deeper connection between design and nature. As I look to the future, I’m excited to see how much further this path will take me.