Each year, Melbourne plays host to the International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS). Held in the historic Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building, this event stands as the largest horticultural showcase in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.
This year was particularly special for us, as it marked Longview Landscapes’ debut at the show. We teamed up with Melbourne-based landscape architect Phillip Withers to bring his visionary garden, Saltbush, to life.
The garden, Saltbush, was crafted using recycled and local materials and features only Victorian indigenous plants that support local pollinators. Throughout the design process, we prioritised waste minimisation. In keeping with this commitment, Saltbush will be repurposed on the Bellarine Peninsula, ensuring its continued contribution to the local landscape.
Notable materials used to bring Wither’s ideation to life include locally sourced stone, sustainable timber, and natural aggregates, all chosen to complement the garden’s ecological focus. Prominent plants include resilient species like Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea spp.), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra spp.), and Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia spp.), each chosen for their adaptability to the local environment and their role in supporting native wildlife. These carefully selected materials and plants were integral in creating both a sustainable and harmonious landscape.
A true labour of love, this project involved a ten day construction period, five days of showcasing our garden at the event, and four days of dismantling and final clean-up. It was an intense and rewarding experience for us, though it meant putting in 10 to 12 hour days of hard work and dedication. We are immensely grateful to have been part of such a devoted team and to have emerged as winners.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the prospect of participating again at the Flower and Garden Show. Eager to build on our experience and collaborate with talented designers and landscape architects, we are keen to contribute even more to Melbourne’s horticultural community, which makes the International Flower and Garden Show a truly exceptional and renowned event.
