The Welcome Garden

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

” ‘The Birds Nest,’ the Welcome Garden for the 2020 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is something I have had floating around in my head for over 12 months now. The most important aspects of the garden I wanted to get right was the proportion, balance and the harmony, all whilst making the garden flow. Of particular importance to me is always trying to find the balance and proportion between the hard structures and the actual garden itself.

The harmony you can create with different zones or rooms, all complimenting one another and being used for different activities. The large deck out the front is for inviting the public in and sitting down on square and round pots which we have planted out with Sir Grange Zoysia turf.

The front lawn is an open space to welcome you into the garden and doubles as a recreational usable lawn for sport and family games. Having a large lawn is one of the fondest memories of my childhood and such a luxury for many families today. It is the most cost effective, and usable space in any garden.

I incorporated a level change up to the round deck and birds’ nest to add a point of interest to what is the meeting place and entertaining area of the garden. The birds next is my take on the feeling of belonging. Think how a baby bird is protected from the elements of the outside world, feeling safe and loved in the nest. I wanted this space to evoke the same feelings.

Whether you are on your own, as a couple, as a family or entertaining the many, this is a welcoming refuge from the outside world. Behind the bird’s nest is a couple of lawn pods. These pods are too small for ball sports but perfect for some ‘Me’ time, whether that involves an afternoon nap or reading a book, flicking through the Sunday paper, doing some yoga or sipping on a cuppa or a cold one. Being surround in this space by a forest of tree’s and under a planting contrast between the clipped buxus and the informal grasses, the sound of water moving in the background makes this a welcome chill out zone.

This garden flows nicely and reveals its spaces as you walk through it but doesn’t give away all its uses and spaces in one glance. With the dramatic level changes and the iconic birds nest, you are immediately drawn into the garden.

I really hope you enjoy this great Australian tradition of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and enjoy the 2020 Welcome Garden, the ‘Birds Nest’. “

– Jason Hodges