That is why, when Christian Jenkins of the Landscape Design Group was asked by beyondblue to create a wellness garden for this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, he looked to the design of Japanese tea gardens for inspiration.

At the rear of the garden sat a timber tea house with a black shingle roof, ironbark posts and silvertop ash decking. Open on three sides, the structure was furnished with low, comfortable seating and featured a potted bonsai tree.

Upon entering the garden, you were given a choice of two stone paths you could take to reach the tea house, symbolising the decisions to be made as you journey through life. The paths followed the outline of the lake, a large and tranquil body of water embraced by a rocky shoreline, rolling lawns, shady glens, raked sand, and several discreetly placed decorative elements, such as carved stone lanterns. The right-hand path led over a bridge and represented making the more challenging decision.

The feeling throughout was that of cool forest and that was achieved by drawing on a largely traditional Japanese planting palette that included Acer palmatum, Ginkgo biloba, Zelkova serrata, Pinus thunbergii and Pieris japonica.

Christian Jenkins and the Landscape Design Group won a Silver Show Garden Award as well as the People’s Choice Award for Tea Garden.

Originally from Outdoor Design & Living Issue 31

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The Australian Garden show in Sydney is the year’s biggest gardening event, and it’s set to be an exciting installment. The team have lined up a collection of brilliant minds and designers to come together at this year’s show. There’s Australian Jim Fogarty, who has just won Best In Show win at the UK’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show; at last year’s show he exhibited a Gallipoli-inspired garden titled ‘The Last To Leave’. This year he’ll be participating as a judge alongside Graham Ross VMM, House Rules’ Joe Snell, Director of Horticulture Operations at Royal Botanic Gardens, Jimmy Turner and Linda Ross.

Jim Fogarty will also join Nigel Ruck and Don Burke in the construction of a modern backyard farm garden that the public can watch evolve over the four days of the show from 4-7 September in Centennial Park. Garden show visitors will have the opportunity to contribute to some of the decisions of the design of the garden, elements of which will be made from recycled and/or re-used materials.

This year’s show has doubled in size, featuring over 30 display gardens built by a range of expert and emerging landscape designers. The categories include two Feature Gardens as well as 10 Inspirational Gardens, 10 City Gardens presented by Debco and 10 Balcony Gardens presented by Yates that will be judged by a panel.

Andrew Fisher Tomlin, NHGA UK Garden Designer of the year, returns to Sydney to create a garden for the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation, 2014 Official Charity Partner, that focuses on dementia – providing a place where those living with dementia can feel comfortable and safe. Andrew’s design will look at the potential of gardens to offer a lifeline to those with early onset dementia by providing them with coping strategies, a sense of place and therapeutic benefits.

Welcoming the spring weather, Phillip Withers’ ‘My Island Home’ brings a piece of paradise to the show, featuring a timber beach hut and bridge surrounded by tall palms and colourful succulents.

Myles Baldwin will also build an Inspirational Garden to be judged alongside Withers, Fisher Tomlin and others including Christopher Owen, Brent Reid, Adrian Swainand Peta Donaldson.

The popular Talks Series will feature over 80 talks, presented over three stages, providing visitors with the opportunity to hear from and engage with special guest speakers and experts presenting progressive ideas on gardening, design and wellbeing. Topics range from rooftop gardens, to Australian native orchards and worm farming.

Tickets and further program information are available at: australiangardenshowsydney.com.au

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They will teach you how to sow, grow, feed and harvest, prepare and cook for your evening feast in minutes! Share their secrets for success as they debunk a couple of kitchen garden myths along the way.  From seed to feed they have a sure fire way to grow your way to a healthier you, and this year at the Australian Garden Show Sydney they have healthy herbs, well-being watermelons and energetic eggplant to energize your body and mind.  Don’t miss their delicious vertical wall full of edibles!  And make up your own thirst quenching iced herbal tea.

You can join them at the Ross Garden Clinic Breakfast on Saturday 6 September, 8am – 10am.  This exclusive package allows you to enjoy a champagne and bacon & egg breakfast with Graham, Linda and Sandra Ross, as well as fellow gardening enthusiasts. You will have exclusive access to view the beautiful display gardens prior to the gates opening to the general public at 10am.  A great way to kick-start your day at the show!  Breakfast ticket price is $63 and includes entry to the show. Tickets can be purchased here

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Gardening legend Don Burke joins Indira Naidoo, Angus Stewart, Myles Baldwin and Andrew Fisher Tomlin (NHGA UK Garden Designer of the Year) as 2014 Ambassadors.

Join them and some of the world’s leading experts in over 80+ FREE garden talk and demonstrations, be inspired by cutting-edge designer gardens and spectacular floral installations, take home some great gardening tips or relax in one of the pop-up bars and restaurants located in a beautiful garden setting.

The gardens are judged by Australia’s horticulture & design experts, including Chair of Judges & 2GB’s Graham Ross VMM, House Rules star Joe Snell, Jimmy Turner, Linda Ross, Stuart Pittendrigh, Catherine Stewart, Wes Fleming, Tim Creer and Jim Fogarty.

Event details:

Where: Brazilian Fields, Parkes Drive, Centennial Park, Sydney

The Australian Garden Show Sydney will once again be held at the Brazilian Fields within Centennial Park, near the corner of Parkes Drive and Dickens Drive. The closest entry gate is the Oxford St, Paddington Gates, and the Show site entrance is approximately 500m from there. Travelling away from the Paddington Gates, the entrance to the event is just past the Centennial Park cafe. Check the transport page for details on how to get to Centennial Park.

Opening times: 10am – 5pm, 4 – 7 September 2014

Tickets are available from Ticketek

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Garden: The Patriach’s Garden was designed by Cycas Landscape Design and constructed by Kiama Landscapes & Pools. Awards: City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show, Gold Show Garden Award and The Mark Bence Construction Award.

Garden: The Gardener’s Library — Aspiration was designed by Vivid Design, constructed by Semken Landscaping and presented by Local Nurseries. Awards: Gold Show Garden Award and the Horticultural Media Association Award for Best Use of Plant Life.

Garden: Tension was designed by Paul Bangay and constructed by Conway Landscaping. Award:  Gold Show Garden Award.

Garden: Emerge – The Family Life Garden was designed by Candeo Design, constructed by Atkinson Pontifex, landscaped by Semken Landscaping and presented by Bay Road Nursery. Award: Silver Show Garden.

Garden: Left Overs was designed and built by Ian Barker Gardens. Award: Silver Show Garden Award.

Garden: The Garden Cornucopia was designed and constructed by Eckersley Garden Architecture. Award: Silver Show Garden Award.

Garden: The Muse was designed by Natural Design and constructed by Sceam Construction. Award: Silver Show Garden Award.

Garden: Here & Now was designed by Phillip Withers Landscape Design and constructed by Semken Landscaping. Awards: Silver Show Garden Award and Honda Sustainability Award.

Garden: The Quiet Garden was designed by Ros McCully Garden Designs and constructed by Str8line Landscaping. Award: Bonze Show Garden Award.

Garden: Vanguard was designed by Hunter Black Design and constructed by The Nature Group. Award: Bronze Show Garden Award.

Garden: Happiness Grows was designed and constructed by Seasons Landscapes and presented by the Tree & Shrub Growers Vic. Award: Bronze Show Garden Award.

Garden: The Midnight Garden was designed by Lisa Ellis Gardens and constructed by Hamilton Landscapes. Award: First Place, Landscaping Victoria Boutique Garden Award.

Garden: Peninsula was designed by James Ross Landscape Design and constructed by Richard Robertson Landscapes. Award: Second Place, Landscaping Victoria Boutique Garden Award.

Garden: Breeze was designed and constructed by Arbour Landscaping Group. Award: Third Place, Landscaping Victoria Boutique Garden Award.

Originally from Backyard & Garden Design Ideas magazine Volume 12 Issue 3

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