Feeling limited by your space? Here are three innovative garden designs from last year's Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show that will inspire you to rethink your small outdoor area and unlock its potential.
1. Small space, big impact
Growing food in a small space isn't limited to pots and troughs. By including raised beds, vertical gardens, and creative plant choices, you can maximize your garden and grow an abundance of fresh produce, proving that productive gardens can be beautiful too. This urban garden blends style and function, proving that your garden can look good while also growing your own food.
Fruit for Thought
Frame your garden with a fruit tree border. Elevate them in raised beds to draw the eye upward, creating height and making the space feel more open, while also giving structure and depth.
Take a Leaf
Plant silverbeet for year-round greens! It thrives in most climates and grows well in beds or pots. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth and a steady supply of delicious greens.
Bud Appétit!
Flowering plants like nasturtiums are both pretty and practical. Their peppery leaves and blooms are edible, while their flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators right into your garden.
The Only Way is Up
Maximize your space by transforming walls or fences into vertical gardens. Check out DIY kits at your local garden center for quick and easy installation, and always ensure they're securely mounted.
Peel Good Vibes!
Every backyard needs a citrus tree! The good news is you can find compact or dwarf forms of most varieties, usually growing between 1–2m, making them perfectly suited to courtyards, small gardens, and balconies.
Rustic Appeal
Corten steel gains character as it weathers, making it a popular choice for outdoor structures like garden beds. Repeat it throughout your garden to create a cohesive and timeless look.
TOP TIP
Ask the horticulturist at your garden center for advice on plant choices. You'll be surprised by the many compact edible plants suited to small spaces!
2. Bring zen to your home
This design shows how a relaxing outdoor sanctuary can be made possible with a few key elements. You don't need a large area to achieve a tranquil space — thoughtful choices like stepping stones, soft plantings, and natural materials can make a world of difference. Blending Japanese garden principles with native plants creates a serene, locally adapted retreat.
Screen Test
Corrugated fencing and timber lattice come together to recreate a shoji screen, a Japanese 'sliding door' made of wood and paper, adding elegance, privacy, and a touch of authenticity to your backyard retreat.
Sway with Me
Plant a row of ornamental grasses to introduce movement and texture to your space. Their relaxed form and gentle sway in the breeze add a calming, dynamic element to your garden.
Solid Foundation
Rocks and stones are essential in zen gardens for their grounding effect. They symbolize stability and permanence, helping to create a serene, contemplative space that invites mindfulness.
Leave it Open
An open pergola creates a defined outdoor space. It provides a sense of enclosure without feeling cramped—this balance makes it perfect for creating a cozy retreat that still feels connected to the garden.
Vine of the Times
Climbing plants can be trained up and over an open pergola, adding natural shade and seasonal interest. Install stainless steel eye bolts and run galvanized wire between them to create a sturdy support system.
Tread Lightly
Soften the look of stepping stones by interplanting with a low-growing groundcover, like dichondra or Canberra grass. This creates a lush, lived-in feel and helps the path blend naturally into the garden.
TOP TIP
Check online marketplaces for themed ornaments—you'll find lovely items and save dollars. One man's trash is another's treasure!
3. Make mine all native
With sustainability in mind, this design includes reclaimed pieces to create a richly textured and layered garden. Their hard edges are softened by native plantings and muted earthy tones. A water feature, veggie patch, and dedicated seating area make this a functional and inviting space to unwind. A recycled material palette brings rustic charm to this garden. Paired with native plants, the effect is warm and inviting— the perfect retreat!
Green Screen
Plant a row of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) along the edges to create an evergreen backdrop, soften boundaries, and frame the seating area. Plus, their fragrant leaves offer a refreshing scent.
Have a Seat
A bench is the ultimate destination in the garden. Make your own by attaching legs to a piece of hardwood timber and seal with a protective coating to guard against moisture and UV damage.
Set in Stone
Edge garden beds with bush rock for a natural, timeless border. Play with asymmetry to create depth, drawing the eye through the garden and making beds feel more connected to the landscape.
When One Door... Closes
Put it in the garden! Use it as a focal point at the end of a path to create a sense of mystery and depth, making your garden feel bigger by giving the impression that something lies beyond.
Grow Wild Flavours
Include a mix of native edible plants in your veggie patch, like old man's saltbush (Atriplex nummularia). Its salty flavour is perfect for seasoning salads and roasts or adding a unique touch to your cooking.
Garden with Grit
Crushed decomposed granite offers an affordable option for garden paths. Pair it with sandstone flagging to add texture and break up the monotony, creating a more dynamic, layered look.
TOP TIP
Visit salvage yards to source materials for your recycled garden. You’ll find unique pieces with character while reducing waste and saving money.
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