Nadia Cole – Pocket Profile

You’ll find Nadia, Platylobium founder, with a coffee in hand and her head in a book of indigenous plants. Nadia’s love of landscape design and the environment flourished while studying Horticulture at the University of Melbourne (Burnley). From here, she immersed herself in Conservation Ecology at Deakin University. After many years of successful collaborations and honing her skills in design, garden maintenance and bushland management, Nadia planted the Platylobium seed in 2016.

Nadia has a passion for native plants, the environment and natural landscape is in her roots. Nadia’s Nan and Pa owned 5 acres in Eltham, a property that’s been in her family for over 60 years. Predominantly bushland, the property also had a wonderfully maintained and loved native garden. As a child she spent so much time exploring, admiring and helping in the garden, learning the different orchids and native plants.

Pocket Profile

• What can you tell us about your garden at the Show?

Our garden is a contemporary Australian garden with an entertaining space constructed out of recycled materials.

It features Australian native plants, including many species indigenous to Melbourne, with the objective of demonstrating how they can be used in a modern Australian style, in contrast to a traditional bush garden.

• What are you most excited to see at the show this year?

I always wanted to be a florist, so I am excited to see the amazing floral creations at this years’ show. I find floristry a source of inspiration when developing plant palettes and layouts. I’m also excited about the Prosecco van (it’s been a big year!).

• What is your favourite current industry trend?

I’m loving seeing more use of sustainable materials and also the indigenous plant movement.

• What sustainable practices have you seen highlighted in the industry at the moment?

I think that one positive that has come from the rise in materials prices is that there has been more focus on using recycled materials and materials that are sourced closer to home. I think that this gives gardens local character as well as being a more environmentally sustainable choice. The erratic climate has also meant that there has been more focus on using plants that are hardy and adaptable, often native and indigenous species and varieties.’

Fast Five

• Favourite Flower/Plant – Platylobium obtusangulum (Common Flat-pea) (hence the name)
• Pineapple on a pizza? Yes, but I don’t eat pizza (it doesn’t like me!)
• Gardening Gloves or Bare Hands – Gloves
• Favourite Season – Spring
• Foliage or Flora – Flora