Personal values shape the choices we make and the lifestyle we live. So why shouldn’t values play a key role in creating a garden that reflects your principles, priorities and personality? Join our conversation with Lachlan Richardson, a values-based garden designer, as we explore how an appreciation for awe, inclusivity and a social conscience can deliver affordable and sustainable garden design. On his journey of self-reflection and intentional design practices, Lachlan’s approach...

Is there something overpowering or dominating in your garden? It’s probably upsetting your garden’s balance and compromising its harmony, comfort and stability. In this episode we chat about practical ways to achieve balance in your garden. We discuss how to achieve weighting without symmetry, applying mass and void and how to incorporate a pleasing composition of flow, shapes, texture and colour. This episode is the second in a series on garden design principles aimed at helping you assess...

We intuitively know that gardens have a positive impact on mental health. When this is backed by science, it becomes even more compelling. Join us in this gentle chat with Sue Stuart-Smith, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and author of The Well Gardened Mind as she takes us on a journey to better understand why and how gardens can be healing and restorative for mental health conditions. Peppered with practical examples, Sue shares her research and observation of therapeutic design techniques...

Why is it that some gardens just feel right? And others feel chaotic, disjointed and jarring? It’s probably all about unity. In this episode we chat about practical ways to achieve unity in your garden. We discuss how repetition brings coherence, how taking the lead from a style, theme or genre provides a unifying language and why sense of place is an important consideration. This podcast is the first of a series on garden design principles aimed at helping you assess your garden and create a...

Would you like to rewild your garden AND design it to look good? Join us chatting with Charlie Harpur about bringing back natural process to the landscape. As Head Gardener at Knepp in southern England, Charlie shares his knowledge and experience in restoring biodiversity through a mosaic of habitats. As the keystone species in your garden, apply these practical tips and techniques to nurture your plot. Not only will you achieve an ecologically rich garden but also one with fabulous aesthetic...

Dividing your garden into a series of smaller spaces is a landscape design method to make an outdoor area feel larger, more inviting and purposeful. In this episode we chat about how to design outdoor rooms. We’ll give you guidelines on ideal room proportions and what makes up the floors, walls and ceilings. We also consider how to create effective transitions and flow between the rooms. And can dividing a garden into rooms be done badly? Sure can! This podcast will help you assess your...

70% of households have a pet and these little companions probably spend most of their life in the garden. So it’s only fair that any good garden design considers the pets’ behaviours, needs, safety and comfort. In this episode we chat about what to include, avoid and consider when designing a pet friendly garden. But one pet ain’t like the next, so how do you balance your pet’s personality with your gardening tolerance and style? We’ll talk through plenty of tips, tricks and inspiration to...

Garden design is a dynamic discipline; constantly evolving through new design thinking, relationships, experimental horticultural practices and contemporary materials and technology. In this episode we chat with Fleur Flanery, owner of @outlandishventures whose remit is to identify and share innovative voices that influence global landscape design trends. This episode is packed with great conversation on emerging trends such as re-wilding, response to site, Australian design identity and...

A beautiful garden with little effort? Is there such a thing? In this episode we chat about how to design a low effort garden and which styles, materials, accessories and plants are well suited to achieving this approach. We challenge some of the romantic notions of low effort gardens and give you the practical run down of where to put your investment and what to avoid. If you love minimalist, contemporary and static gardens and have little time for fiddling, this episode will inspire...

Japanese gardens are a timeless and increasingly popular garden style. They can be equally pleasing in large gardens as they are in small courtyards. So where do you start if you want your own Japanese-inspired garden? In this episode we chat about the symbology and essential elements that make up a Japanese-inspired garden. We discuss how to arrange the components, and which materials and accessories typify the style. We also describe the effect of the plants so you can choose suitable...

How do we design our gardens for heat and drought? In this episode we chat with expert horticulturist and garden designer, Jackie Warburton, to explore the range of plant choices, design considerations and maintenance for drought hardy gardens. And there’s a lot of good news; it’s not all about yuccas, cactus and succulents! Jackie takes us on a wonderfully informative journey discussing diverse planting palettes, soil management and water practices that balance aesthetics with practical...

Garden design mistakes are costly, wasteful and discouraging…and really easy to make.  In this episode we chat about how to avoid common design flaws, poor hardscape choices, accessories that don’t belong and plants in the wrong places. We discuss examples of why and where things go wrong, and what to do about it. If you need a hard-hitting and honest reality check of why your garden just isn’t giving, then this episode is for you. And of course, it’s all caveated with a little sprinkling of...

Small outdoor spaces have to work hard and every inch, plant and pot matters. In this episode we chat about the challenges in designing small spaces and how to overcome these by applying the principles of scale, unity and simplicity. We discuss examples and ideas for selecting plants, materials and accessories appropriate to these tricky outdoor areas. If you have a small outdoor area that’s just not giving you joy, tune in for inspiration to transform your space to one that is inviting and...

Plants are a key component of garden design. But how much thought do we give to their all-season contribution and through-life maintenance? In this episode we welcome a special guest, Attila the Horticulturist, to chat about how to choose and manage plants for your garden. Attila gives us his professional insight to plant criteria, tips on siting plants and hedging, and some maintenance challenges to avoid. He also discusses the relationship between designers and gardeners, and offers...

What are the building blocks for good design? Why do some gardens just feel right? In this episode we chat about how to apply design principles for creating or improving your garden. We talk about the theory behind landscape design elements, principles and even laws, and share practical ways to achieve these. If you love a list, a bit of theory and some formulas for great garden design, then tune in for a light-hearted exploration of our top three design principles. Photos for this episode...

Are you a sucker for blossoms, flowers and bulbs? Does your garden look amazing in early Spring and then lacklustre for the other 48 weeks of the year? In this episode we chat about how good design delivers colour and effect through every season. We’ll give you ideas and some formulas to find that balance of flowers, foliage and hardscaping. We prompt you to think design first and then think plants. We chat about choosing plants that fulfil several functions and plants that achieve impact...

Do you want a beautiful garden but don’t have the budget? In this episode we give you thrifty tips and ideas about how you can design and create your garden on a budget.  We chat about where to find knowledge to draw your own design, ideas for sourcing cheaper materials and sculptures, low-cost options for acquiring plants and savings on soil improvement; and give examples of when not to skimp.   We share some personal stories to inspire you to create that beautiful and meaningful garden...

In Episode 5 we chat about the design elements of a cottage garden. To help you create this timeless, informal and sensory garden style, we give you ideas and inspiration for choosing the layout, colours, materials, accessories and plants.  It’s a great style if you want to create a garden on a budget; but, it's not all rose-coloured: so, we also highlight maintenance needs and seasonality challenges to keep your cottage garden at its best. Photos for this episode are on Instagram at On...

In Episode 4b we chat about structural challenges in the garden and make suggestions to address these through design solutions. There’s plenty of general tips and tricks for improving the aesthetic and functionality of your garden. Our discussion is scenario-based, offering practical ideas to overcome typical garden problem areas; such as unsightly boundary fences, screening utilities, and under-utilised or disconnected built spaces. We chat about options other than concealing issues and how...

In Episode 4a we chat about environmental challenges in the garden and suggest how to address these through design. There’s plenty of tips and tricks for improving the aesthetic and functionality of your garden. Our discussion is scenario-based, offering practical ideas to overcome typical garden problems; such as dry shade and damp areas, managing dog poo, invasive plants sneaking into your garden, slope and difficult soils. Photos for this episode are on Instagram at On Garden...

What should you expect when you engage a garden or landscape designer? We chat about how you can prepare and get the most from your investment so you can ensure what you get is tailored to your needs and wants. We chat about the consultation, engagement and documents that make up the garden design process. Photos for this episode are on Instagram at On Garden Design ☕☕☕ BUY US A COFFEE if you loved this episode 🌼🌷🌱

Knowing who to engage for your garden project will save you time and money, manage your expectations and help achieve your outcomes. We chat about the roles, skills, cost and crossover between horticulturists, landscapers, landscape or garden designers and landscape architects. Our chat is scenario-based and aims to help you understand which landscape professional is right for your project. Photos for this episode are on Instagram at On Garden Design ☕☕☕ BUY US A COFFEE if you loved this...

Tips, tricks and opinions on adding structure to your winter garden. Our chat considers the role of plantings, sculptures and hardscapes. Photos for this episode are on Instagram at On Garden Design