INSPIRE: More Gardens Than Ever Before

The Show’s 25th anniversary is set to be its biggest ever, with more unmissable floral and garden features than ever before and an incredible line up of some of the greatest landscape and floral designers in Australia and abroad creating the largest, most fantastical gardens ever seen at the event.

To give a sense of scale, we have increased the volume of garden displays by more than 40% which amounts to an additional 1,000sqm of various garden displays for you to enjoy. From our new balcony and small space gardens, to boutique and achievable style gardens, right up to the jaw-dropping Show Gardens designed by our top, award-winning designers. In this special year, there’s something for everyone.

Show Gardens

The Show continues to attract the best landscape design talent from Australia and overseas to create truly exceptional Show Gardens. This year, a line-up of previous ‘Best in Show’ award winners, the most highly coveted award at the Show, are returning to showcase their epic skills once more.

Confirmed designers include Phillip Withers, MINT Pool + Landscape Design, Dean Herald – Rolling Stone Landscapes, Joby Blackman & Carolyn Blackman – Vivid Design, Mark Browning Landscape Design, Warners Nurseries in collaboration with Robert Boyle, Koji Ninomiya (Japan), and Steve Day for Tree & Shrub Growers VIC.

*Phillip Withers ‘It’s Our Time’ 2020 Show Garden Render*

Balcony Gardens

With small space gardening now a fact of Australian life we are seeing the emergence of the Balcony Garden trend. Six landscape designers will be competing in the inaugural Ryman Healthcare Balcony Garden Competition to show visitors the potential opportunities for urban dwellers with limited square meters and a passion for gardening.

*Inner City Nature, one of our 6 Balcony Garden finalists*

Boutique Gardens

The Show will proudly play host to the Landscaping Victoria Boutique Garden Competition – a unique opportunity for Landscape Designers, Landscape Architects and Students to participate in the Show. In 2020, to celebrate the Show’s 25th Anniversary, six previous 1st place winning designers will return showcasing their exceptional design talent, pushing design boundaries with their innovation & creativity.

*Octopus Garden Design’s ‘Jardin Noir’ for the 2020 Show*

Avenue of Achievable Gardens

Presented by Tuscan Path

In 2020 this inspirational space at the Show will sit in a new location, with more gardens than ever before and connected with more education institutions. This year the AAG will include Holmesglen, Swinburne, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Polytechnic, Canberra TAFE and Bendigo TAFE. All of these gardens will be surround by a feature display garden presented by Tuscan Path the major sponsor of the AAG this year.

*‘Alpine Calm: At the Retreat of Snow’ for the 2020 Show, by Sarah Tulloch from Melbourne Polytechnic*

The Emergent Gardens

In its second year at the Show, the Emergent Gardens will set out to support the growth of our younger designers, who have graduated from the Avenue of Achievable Gardens.

In 2020 the Emergent Gardens will be partnering with the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM) who will help mentor the designers throughout the design phase and during the construction of the gardens.

*Riley Cooper & Angus Houghton’s Garden from our 2019 Show*

Diggers Club

Diggers Club will return to inspire visitors through a must-see garden display of heirloom fruits, vegetables, edibles and summer-flowering perennials. Guests can soak up a wealth of knowledge at the free gardening talks and cooking demonstrations during their daily-changing education program.

Guide Dogs Victoria Sensory Garden

Guide Dogs Victoria will engage the senses at their tactile garden, painting a picture through varied textures and elements to demonstrate how different surfaces can be used to guide you safely through unfamiliar spaces.

*The adorable Guide Dogs Victoria puppies you will see at the Show!*

NEW London College of Garden Design Melbourne Border Competition

London College of Garden Design Melbourne is launching its inaugural competition which will see six garden designers showcase small space garden design predominantly focused on plants, under the theme, “Embrace the City”.

*Hannah Louise Landscapes ‘Embrace the City’ concept that will take form at the 2020 Show*

The Welcome Garden

The 2020 Welcome Garden will be designed by Jason Hodges for Lawn Solutions Australia.

The Welcome Garden is a place for visitors to relax and recline, plan their day at the show and participate in the various talks from top designers and growers, as well as tours that will take place regularly throughout the day.

*‘The Birds Nest’ the 2020 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show Welcome Garden*

Hanging Baskets

The Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria presents the Great Hanging Basket Competition as it returns to the Show bigger & better with more baskets than ever before! The Competition spans across a large site in the Carlton Gardens & showcases creative & innovative hanging basket design entries from school groups, youth groups, gardening clubs & enthusiasts alike.

Entrants are challenged to create & grow their designs throughout the year & showcase them at the culminating display at the Show. The site is beautifully curated by the dedicated team of members & volunteers from the Royal Horticulture Society of Victoria & is a key feature of the Show, one you’ll certainly want on your must-see list.