Monday, October 20, 2025

Landscape

LandscapeLandscape Design

Cathedrals of roots

Training aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa at Sherwood Arboretum

By Prue McGruther

In landscape design, our attention often falls on flowers, foliage, bark, or branch structure. Roots, especially aerial, are rarely considered for their visual appeal, yet under the right conditions, figs (Ficus spp.)Continue reading

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Garden DesignLandscape

Sam Cox opens his gardens

By Gabrielle Stannus

Open Gardens Victoria is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. I spoke with Sam Cox, one of Australia’s foremost proponents of naturalistic garden design about the opening of Red Gums, one of this scheme’s official anniversary gardens. During our conversation, Sam shared the reasons why he thinks other landscape professionals should open their gardens too, and (bonus!)Continue reading

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LandscapeRevegetatation

Revegetation done right

By Patrick Regnault

I would like to start with a definition: Revegetation is the process of planting or seeding an area that has been too damaged for natural regeneration. Revegetation is important to help restore degraded land, create wildlife corridors, mitigate flood damage and reduce soil loss through erosion.Continue reading

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LandscapeMass Planting

Think big with mass plantings

By John Fitzsimmons

When we are in landscape mode we often think of architectural plants, specimen trees, colour palettes, textures, borders and backdrops for impact and low maintenance. We should not however forget the visual impact and benefits of one of the most widely used landscape elements and approaches — mass plantings.Continue reading

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HistoryLandscape

The man who planted Canberra

By Gabrielle Stannus

Many of us would remember learning in school about the pivotal role that American Walter Burley Griffin played in the design and development of the Australian national capital. However, author Robert Macklin says that another man deserves more credit for his role in transforming the Limestone Plains into the thriving garden city we now know as Canberra, and for laying the foundations for modern Australian horticulture.Continue reading

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LandscapeRevegetatation

Time anchors a regenerative landscape

By Gabrielle Stannus

How many young landscape architects can say that they have worked on a project for ten years? Heidi Mikulic can, and she says it was time well spent. Heidi started on the Stonehill Gully and Escarpment Regeneration project in 2014, around the same time that she joined Thompson Hay Landscape Architects, the design practice undertaking this work for the site’s developer, Devine Pty Ltd.Continue reading

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Garden DesignLandscape

In the swim

By Lynne Testoni

This elegant and classically designed garden proved to be an award winner for Inspired Exteriors.

An engaged, design-conscious client is always a plus, as landscape designers Inspired Exteriors found when they were engaged to create this beautiful garden in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.… Continue reading

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Green InfrastructureLandscape

Designing with confidence:

Eliminating fear of green infrastructure in the built environment

By Michael Casey

In recent years, green infrastructure has become a buzzword in our industry and for good reason. I believe plants, with their remarkable ability to deliver multiple benefits, will be one of our most effective tools in mitigating the impacts of climate change.Continue reading

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Green InfrastructureLandscape

Naturalistic planting takes centre stage

By Gabrielle Stannus

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine that city’s cultural hub. Encompassing The Fox: NGV Contemporary, the major refurbishment of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building, this major infrastructure project will also oversee the creation of Laak Boorndap, a new 18,000m2 urban garden.Continue reading

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Garden DesignLandscape

Backyard renovation with a difference

By Lynne Testoni

This rear garden was completely updated to create a generous open space and new pool for a busy family.

A renovation is the perfect time to refresh the existing areas of a home, including the backyard. The owners of this suburban family home, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, engaged Corey Fox Landscaping to oversee a complete renovation of their rear garden with the ‘Kirrawee Coastal Project’.… Continue reading

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