Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, March 2011

It's a bronze! I am so pleased to get a bronze alongside some nice competition with much larger budgets. People have been flooding into the show since Wednesday and I have received some great feedback. Once I get some better pictures I'll load them on for everybody to enjoy.
The garden is performing its function, of inspiring contemplation and serenity. It is lovely to stand and watch a resident magpie-lark flit from reflection to reflection. He, as it turn out is the star of the stage.
I hope you enjoy the garden as much as I do.

Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

“Reflections”

by Kristine Galea (A69)

Design Philosophy

In keeping with the student design competition theme “Urban Forest”, my show garden explores the quality of light within a forested environment. The display is a staged space where people can reflect on the natural elements of light and shade created by trees in our urban setting.

The strong vertical nature of forests has been maintained as a spatial element in the design. This is achieved through the copse style planting of Betula pendula “Moss White”. The pale trunks contrast with the darker tone of the 1.8 m high wall, which is painted in Ferrodor 810.  A series of black Perspex panels along the side wall give an illusion of breadth to the space, capturing light and movement.

Stainless steel decorative balls placed through the space attract the light and emphasize the shimmering qualities of the design. The light is further reflected by a simple reflection pond which captures the spirit of the passing clouds.

Cut crystal balls hang suspended over the pond by a mirror finish stainless steel feature. The crystals play with the light, spinning softly in the breeze, reflecting the light through the design.

The manufactured elements of the stainless steel, cut crystals and Perspex, whilst reflecting light are also designed to highlight the urban nature of the installation.

The planting design is simple, maintaining the focus on the light as it dances around the space. The birch trunks and the understory planting contrast with the metallic shimmer of the surrounding walls. The blue foliage of the grass,  Lomandra Wingarra dominates the upper section, standing out against the wall. The mid-section understory comes alive with the Acacia cognata ‘Minicog’. The lower section planting consists of the groundcover Casuarina glauca “Cousin It”, softly enclosing the pond and bleeding out into basalt mulch. The soft texture and colour of the under-storey planting emphasizes the light movement.

The effect is an “urban stage’ for the forested autumn light to dance, perform and sooth our souls. 

Tuesday 29th March 2011 - It's tools down for the team, with us easily completing the garden within the time frame. Judging was this afternoon with the winners announced tomorrow morning over breakfast.

I couldn't have completed the garden without the guys from  Instyle Gardens. With their  hard work and sense of humour they made what is often a stressful experience a relaxed one! Thanks Joel and Dave.

The highlight of my day was being interviewed by Better Homes and Gardens. It's not every day that one gets "miked up"! I am enough of a realist to comprehend that although yes I was interviewed, the entire segment may just be edited out. Who knows, I may have mumbled (terrible habit of mine), or just had booger up my nose. We will all have to wait until this Friday at 7:30pm to watch the show go to air and see if I am edited from existence!!

Well, it's time to kick up my heels at breaky and continue on at the cocktail party tomorrow night. It has been a blast and an experience I will treasure for a lifetime.

Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, March 2011

It's count down to the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show, with 6 weeks to go until the start of the build. I feel like a bowerbird at the moment, ordering and collecting all things pretty for my design.

In keeping with the design competition theme of “Urban Forest”, my design explores the quality of light within a forested environment. The display was conceived as a meditation space, a space to relax and observe in stillness, a place to rejuvenate the soul after a hard days work.

The planting theme is very simple, with the emphasis being on the light as it dances around the space. The colour theme is elegant in its restraint. Sunlight filters through the stand of trees planted in copse style. A selection of native plants forms the understorey which is designed to compliment and contrast with the dark grey metallic shimmer of the surrounding walls. Gloss black Perspex panels capture movement through the design, while the mirror finish stainless steel water feature and decorative balls scattered through the design, help reflect the light.  The movement of light is further emphasized by the circular reflection pond, which will capture the spirit of passing clouds and reflect the cut crystal glass balls which are suspended above the pond.

The effect is a “stage’ for the forested autumn light to dance, perform and sooth our souls. Hope to see you there!

Lambleys Nursery day trip

I took a scenic road trip with a dear friend, out to Ascot (past Ballarat) to visit this renowned nursery and gardens, and I am so pleased I did. The dry gardens are breathtaking in summer. I let  my senses drown in the  cocophony of colour, scent and and textures. Who says dry gardens need be without flowers? This is one for the kids as well - my girls ran, touched, played and experienced the gardens with the sheer excitement that only kids can pull off. My camera worked over time so heres some pics to inspire you all.

May this New Year bless you with blossoms beyond your wild imaginings!