It may seem obvious, but living in close proximity to a thriving natural ecosystem can be the perfect remedy to our digitally saturated urban lives. That’s how Mark Bell from Bell Landscapes sees it, holding the view that a suburban garden holds the key to relaxation, reconnection and rejuvenation.

No matter how small they are.

There comes a time in most family homes where the outdoor play equipment is outgrown, and the surrounding garden is in need of a little TLC. It was at this familiar stage that Kate Seddon Landscape Design was brought on to design a Hawthorn garden for a growing family and their now young adult children.

Kate’s design sees a disused trampoline and spa replaced with a sophisticated planting and material scheme, inspired by both Japanese and Danish gardens. This lush and inviting outdoor area is now a seasonally changing retreat for the owners, representing a new phase in their family’s life.

Local legend has it that this one-acre property in Deepdene, nine kilometres east of Melbourne’s CBD, was designed by William Guilfoyle in the 1860s. The creator of the Royal Botanic Gardens himself!

The historic suburban garden was brought to life over a century and a half ago, and contains plant life nearly as old. It’s even listed on the National Trust! The garden-loving clients who embarked upon the restoration project required a landscaping team who were sympathetic to the history of the plot and dedicated to restoring the heritage garden to its original grandeur. It required a lot of, well… trust!

Landscape designers Ian Barker Gardens were up to the task, combining modern practices with heritage style to ensure the charm of this slice of horticultural history for many years to come.

When Mud Office first entered this Ivanhoe property, the existing block was ripe for transformation. There was a lot of work to be done with the bare concrete driveway, large expanse of rear lawn scattered with paving stones, and a Hills Hoist plopped right in the middle.

The resulting garden is a multifunctional family space working in perfect tandem with one seriously amazing home!

This project is a lesson in turning a small outdoor space into a fresh and elegant retreat – without the need for a lawn, or traditional flowering plants.

Originally a tired rear courtyard, Garden Life has introduced a textured and climate-appropriate design scheme in this Sydney garden. The result is a low-maintenance yet beautiful garden that mirrors the sophistication of its accompanying 1800s Paddington house, and also brings a touch of sunny Californian vibes!  

Surprise! We’re in Normandy! Just kidding. This incredible provincial estate is actually the Picardy Gardens in – wait for it – West Gippsland! The stunning property is owned by Marian and Bryce Somes, who have lovingly tended it for over 27 years, bringing new parts of it to life, and building its rich provincial charm.

With a rambling rammed earth house and mud brick outhouses alongside the abundant garden, Picardy brings Marian and Bryce’s love of the French countryside to regional Victoria. What was meant to be a weekender house has turned into a labour of love, paying homage to the great European gardens off the fin-de-siecle.