Earthstyle Autumn Winter 2024

Publisher: Landscaping Victoria

Sector Offices, Suite 7, Level 3

2 Brandon Park Drive

Wheelers Hill VIC 3150

t 03 9566 7284

e admin@landscapingvictoria.com.au www.landscapingvictoria.com.au

Editor: Ritchie Hinton

Design: Pufferfish Marketing www.pufferfishmarketing.com.au

Printing: HMS Marketing www.hmsmarketing.com.au

Photography: Members own images unless stated

Boutique Gardens Competition at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2024.

IAN BARKER, PRESIDENT, LANDSCAPING VICTORIA

Dear Members,

Some of you might know me already, but for those who don’t, I would like to introduce myself and share with you a few subtle but essential changes coming to Landscaping Victoria (LV).

I founded Ian Barker Gardens in 1996 as a landscaper, and since then, our team has evolved and grown to what it’s known today – a one-stop shop for landscape design, construction, and garden maintenance.

Landscaping Victoria was initially introduced to me by my first boss, Tim Jackett and Associates, who was passionate and vocal about supporting the industry body that supports us. As many of you would know, running your own business can be incredibly isolating. LV provided a place for me to meet like-minded business owners willing and ready to share their knowledge and learnings for the pure betterment of the industry.

I joined the board in 2003, serving for four years and recently re-joined after witnessing our industry experiencing exponential growth. After 20 years, I’m now able to dedicate more time to the organisation and can provide some wisdom I didn’t possess back in 2003.

Despite Landscaping Victoria being in an excellent position thanks to previous staff and past members – newly appointed CEO Richie Hinton, along with new and existing board members, we feel that it is imperative to always challenge ourselves to be a better version of our current selves. This is how we will approach 2024 in my first full year as President.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Simplify & Consolidate: a fresh look at our Strategic Plan

With this in mind, the year began with a fresh look at our Strategic Plan with a constructively critical eye, challenging ourselves as to its purpose, relevance and content. The LV board and I have adopted the ‘Simplify & Consolidate’ mantra when contemplating the next 12 months.

An example of this mantra in practice is our organisation’s name. You may have noticed references to Landscaping Victoria (LV) rather than the inclusion of ‘Master’. We believe that removing the term ‘Master’ promotes further inclusivity to all LV current and potential members. This is an example of dialling back some of the branding, which has been identified as inconsistent with our vision and purpose of speaking to and supporting the broader landscaping environment.

Please join me, the Board and the staff on this next exciting step of LV’s evolution, and get involved in the myriad opportunities available to LV members – whether it’s an industry night/ networking event to help supercharge your supply chain, exhibiting at/attending The Landscape Show, or providing professional development for your staff.

The next few years will be an exciting time of growth for LV and an opportune time to become a board member, as your contribution will enact real change within the organisation.

If this is something you have ever considered, now is the time to discuss it with the LV team.

"The next few years will be an exciting time of growth for LV and an opportune time to become a board member, as your contribution will enact real change within the organisation."

Additional focus areas include:

6 Reaffirming LV’s Purpose of promoting, inspiring and educating the broader Victorian landscaping industry.

6 Improving the content and communication around LV’s value proposition to existing and potential members.

6 Better focusing our advocacy activities with relevant agencies, particularly the State Government.

6 Considering how our current staffing arrangements and events calendar best suit our strategic objectives and priorities.

Additionally, as members, if you believe there is anything that we should be doing as an organisation to better improve – please don’t hesitate to send your ideas to me at president@ landscapingvictoria.com.au

I wish you all the best for the rest of 2024. I look forward to catching up with you during the year.

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ABOUT THE CEO

Find out a little more about LV's CEO, Ritchie Hinton, where he's been and what's he's working on.

Q. Tell us a bit about your career journey, and how you found yourself at LV.

A. I’m originally from the UK and started my working life in London where I trained and qualified as a solicitor with a city law firm. Interestingly, the first case I member working on in London was an insurance claim relating to alleged defects with construction of the Burnley Tunnel.

After meeting my now wife there (who is from Melbourne), we decided to move to Melbourne in 2005.

I did continue to work in Australia as a lawyer for a short time upon arrival but managed to switch to the sports industry within a year or so of my arrival. I’d been a keen junior sportsman, and was lucky enough to benefit from a ‘sliding doors’ moment through a networking opportunity. I was the right person on the spot at the right time to take advantage of a great opportunity which resulted in me spending 10 years as a Talent Manager in soccer.

Since then, I have worked for several different sports organizations, including a national role with Cricket Australia, and subsequently several CEO roles with state and other member-based associations.

After 17 years in sport, I was keen to explore other industries, and was eager to explore the opportunity with Landscaping Victoria when it arose – and here I am!

Q. How have you managed the transition from sport to landscaping?

A. Although the industries might seem quite different to each other, having worked in several NFP member associations before, the principles are the same. That is, they all want more members, to add value to them, and likewise with partners. Similarly, when it comes to government support and advocacy, everyone wants to make sure they get their piece of the pie, and that their voice is heard.

RITCHIE HINTON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LANDSCAPING VICTORIA

It really isn’t that different, whether you are dealing with lacrosse or landscaping.

In fact, bringing a fresh perspective to an industry can be refreshing and helpful in challenging assumptions and driving innovation.

Q. What are your first impressions of the industry?

A. I really can’t speak highly enough of the people I have come across so far.

From the LV Board, staff, our partners, members and other complementary associations, there is a general theme of everyone wanting to work together. There is no sense of tension, competition or parochialism, and that helps to create a culture whereby we can try new initiatives and approaches with a sense of optimism, rather be concerned about being criticized for considering new angles. That sort of support is incredibly powerful.

Q. How do you see the next few years for LV?

A. In addition to my appointment late in 2023, we also have a new Chair (Ian Barker), and several new Board Directors. That made it the obvious time to re-visit our Strategic Plan for the next 12 months or so. During our early discussions, it became quite obvious that we all felt that the organisation was stretched quite thin, particularly as a result of the extent to which we were involved in certain events and the perhaps over-developed presence at some of these.

As a result, we adopted the mantra of ‘Simplify & Consolidate’ as we approach this next period in LV’s life cycle.

We are keen to have a real crack at driving membership numbers after research showed that we could be doing much better in this area. Related to that it is a rationalization of our membership categories and application process, as well as a reconsideration of our branding and how we position ourselves to non-members as we work to genuinely respond to LV’s stated vision of representing the broader Victorian landscaping industry.

Our member survey also highlighted a real interest in us organising more industry networking events, so we have responded to that with a full suite of these across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Finally, we will be making a concerted effort to give our Education and Advocacy activities a real shot in the arm through a series of strategic partnerships with complimentary organizations.

Q. Ritchie – thank you for sharing these insights with us. I’m sure our readers have really enjoyed reading them.

A. It has been my pleasure. I look forward to meeting more of our members over the next 12 months, hopefully at one of the many industry nights we will be hosting.

Before I go, I’d like to remind everyone to tune in LV’s wonderful podcast, ‘The Front Garden’, which profiles many of our members as well as providing a platform for interesting and sometimes quirky guests from outside the LV family who bring their unique perspectives and learnings.

Grown to perform

by ian firth, warners nurseries

The journey from a humble cutting to a thriving plant that captures the customer's eye is a complex one. Steeped in the art and science of horticulture, it's a process that demands patience and precision, that often spans years, as the plant is nurtured through all the stages of growth, each with its own set of challenges and techniques. Propagation, the initial step, is followed by careful potting, systematic trimming, and diligent spacing. The plant's needs must be met meticulously, with regular feeding, watering, and vigilant protection from pests, diseases, and climate.

The tangible tasks of nursery production are underpinned by a framework of 'soft skills'. Research, planning, and keen observational abilities are the unsung heroes of the industry in ensuring that each plant not only survives but thrives. These skills are particularly crucial in an era where garden trends ebb and flow with the tides of fashion and housing styles.

Staying informed of these trends, both locally and internationally, is vital with events like the Chelsea Flower Show serving as a pulse check for the industry. Innovation is also key, with nurseries such as Warners placing a strong emphasis on plant trialling. This rigorous testing ensures that only the best performers make it into gardens. Exploring open gardens, participating in events like Design Fest, and observing the successes and failures of plants in various settings contribute to an innovative and responsive stock planning approach.

Collaboration with fellow growers and breeders is a cornerstone in fostering the development of new varieties. This is particularly important now in growing a range that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. Sustainable plants that can endure extreme conditions are not just a goal but a necessity.

Innovation doesn't always mean reinvention. There's merit in revisiting and revitalizing classics, adapting them to modern tastes through various topiary techniques or informal shaping. Sometimes, these re-imagined classics outshine the latest high-tech breeds, as seen with some new purple foliage varieties that failed to impress in practical landscapes.

This evolution reflects a broader truth in horticulture: progress is achieved through a blend of the old and the new, where sometimes, the tried-and-true is just as valuable as the cutting-edge new varieties. It's a delicate balance, one that requires both respect for tradition and a willingness to embrace change.

The horticultural industry is witnessing a significant shift towards more resilient and environmentally friendly plant varieties. The introduction of 'Dense Fence' and 'Quick Fence' as superior alternatives to Viburnum odoratissimum 'Awabuki' is a testament to this change. These new cultivars offer robust resistance to common issues such as mite attacks, distorted growth, and viral diseases, marking a substantial improvement over their predecessors. Similarly, the market for Lillypillies is evolving, with a clear preference for varieties that don't require pesticide use, aligning with environmental conservation efforts. The phasing out of Syzygium species in favour of psyllid and beetle resistant Lillypillies underscores the industry's commitment to sustainable practices.

"The horticultural industry is witnessing a significant shift towards more resilient and environmentally friendly plant varieties."

Acemena Firescreen Foliage

Acmena smithii Firescreen - Hedging

"When considering the purchase of an advanced Magnolia "Sweet Carolina", it's fascinating to reflect on the journey it has undergone."

Warner's Acmena trials are a prime example of the highly technical process involved in developing such varieties. The search for a glossy-leafed, pest-free Lillypilly with minimal berry production is not only ambitious but also indicative of the rigorous standards set by the industry and a testament to the dedication and patience required to bring such innovations to market.

The demand for unique garden features also continues to grow, with consumers seeking plants that offer distinctive bark, varied foliage colours, and intriguing shapes. This trend extends to edibles as well which are now being sought in more compact forms, moving beyond the traditional backyard lemon tree. The resurgence of interest in edibles suggests a broader shift towards self-sufficiency and a deeper connection with the food we consume.

When considering the purchase of an advanced Magnolia ‘Sweet Carolina,’ it's fascinating to reflect on the journey it has undergone. From propagation to point of sale, each plant represents years of careful selection and cultivation. This long-term investment in plant development ensures that consumers receive high-quality, well-established specimens that are ‘Grown to Perform.’ As the industry continues to innovate, we can anticipate a future where gardens are not only beautiful but also sustainable and harmonious with the natural environment.

Magnolia Sweet Carolina planted

Warners Stock Bed freshly planted 2018

Magnolia Sweet Carolina growing in the Nursery

Viburnum Dense Fence - Foliage

Insurance for the Landscape and Construction Industry

Whether you work directly with clients or members of the public, work with trade tools and machinery, or operate out of a bricks and mortar building. If you plan it, build it, plant it, or supply it, Insurance House can help make sure you're protected.

Start protecting your landscaping business with insurance options that suit your needs. We have all your insurance needs under one roof.

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Plus many more. Contact your dedicated Landscaping Victoria Insurance Broker today.

Not sure what plant you need, or where to find them?

Well, have

we got tools for you…

It’s a common issue faced by the industry - the need to compromise on plant selection based on plant availability.

Perhaps you feel stuck in the rut of a magnolia and hydrangea tsunami and want to expand your plant palette, but aren’t sure how?

Or maybe you have a customer who insists on a bloody big statement tree in their front garden, and you want to get some advice from a specialist nursery supplier?

If any of this sounds familiar, then fear not, because EvergreenConnect* feels your pain and they think they have developed a costeffective solution for you.

Speaking to Earthstyle, Mat Plummer from EvergreenConnect explained the tools they have developed to address these issues.

“Instead of using the same plants that are stocked by your local nursery across all of your jobs, we have developed a suite of tools to assist landscapers to get the plants they want in the sizes they need.

Use our website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to find the stock you want to bring your landscapes to life.”

Plant Search

This tool was the first one to be developed, and is an all-rounder’s favourite. Its premise is simple enough. Just type in the name of the plant you are looking for into the Plant Search tool and get instant results from the available plant lines. Preferences also allow for results to be restricted to specific search parameters, such as pot size, state, region, suppliers, etc.

All of the nursery information is then provided - nursery location, email address and phone number.

Landscape Projects Tool

This tool allows the user to develop a master list of plants typically used across jobs which can then be saved under a user’s account for future access. The plants used on a particular job can then be assigned with relevant pot sizes and quantities, and then emailed to an identified supplier for a quote, all within the user’s account. This removes the need to manage plant lists across multiple programs and go searching through emails to chase requested quotes.

Supplier Search

Finally, the Supplier Search function allows users to find growers based on their region. Inside the tool, Victoria is divided up into 15 separate regions with multiple growers located in each of these regions. Simply select the region, choose a grower, then immediately see their current available stock list online.

Then, as with the Plant Search tool, all of the nursery information is then at the user’s fingertips - nursery location, email address and phone number.

*As a special deal for Earthstyle readers, EvergreenConnect have agreed to waive their usual $30 one-off set up fee. Simply go to https://www. evergreenconnect.com.au/index. php?page=register.

Fill out a contact form and enter EARTHSTYLE as the referral code to have the usual set-up fee waived.

Compact Edibles

2024 Garden Design Award Winners

BEST IN SHOW

'Through The Looking Glass', designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

GOLD SHOW GARDENS

'Through The Looking Glass', designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

'SaltBush' designed by Phillip Withers and Fiona Brockhoff

SILVER GILT SHOW GARDEN

'New Nordic Notes' designed by Annika Zetterman and Kajsa Bjorne

SILVER SHOW GARDEN

'Inner Journey' designed by Christian Jenkins Landscape Design and Margaret River Trees

'Australian Idyll' designed by Platylobium Landscape Design

'A Moment in Time' designed by Peter Donegan Design & Landscaping

BRONZE SHOW GARDEN

'Gratus' designed by Riley Cooper Landscape Design & Horticulture

HORTICULTURAL MEDIA ASSOCIATION (HMA) AWARD FOR BEST USE

OF PLANT LIFE

'Through The Looking Glass', designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

MARK BENCE CONSTRUCTION AWARD

'Through The Looking Glass', designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

INNOVATIVE DESIGN AWARD PRESENTED BY PEUGEOT

'Through The Looking Glass', designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

LANDSCAPING VICTORIA BOUTIQUE GARDENS AWARD

1st Place – Innersanctum designed by Paul Pritchard Landscape Design

2nd Place – Breath of Fresh Air designed by Paul Alexander Landscape

3rd Place – Coastal Waves designed by Smart Landscapes

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s show.

We are proud of the great achievements of the following LV members:

Phillip Withers

Riley Cooper Landscape Design & Horticulture

Paul Pritchard

Smart Landscapes

Adam Hompas Landscapes

ACM Outdoors

Esjay Landscapes + Pools

Klaycon Landscape Construction

Semken Landscaping

BEST IN SHOW

'Through the Looking Glass'

designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

By: Emmaline Bowman of Stem Landscape Architecture & Design, and Liam Riley of ID Landscaping

Sweeping the Landscape Design Show Garden Competition with five awards, including the coveted City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show, was Emmaline Bowman of Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and Liam Riley of ID Landscaping.

Inspired by rural Australia through a sustainable lens, the duo’s design entitled “Through The Looking Glass” prioritises minimal impact and celebrates the beauty of nature’s hidden world. Crowned by an iconic Australian windmill, the garden’s accolades include the Gold Show Garden Award and the Horticultural Media Association Award for best use of plant life.

GOLD SHOW GARDENS

designed by Phillip Withers and Fiona Brockhoff

SaltBush is an experience…of the coexistence of humans with the land, with flora, with fauna, with water, and with each other. An experience of a journey into a garden to discover what our environment means to us. An experience that inspires ongoing observation and learning and encourages humans big and small to not only appreciate, but to actively care for nature.

Set on the Victorian coastline, the journey begins in the salt coastal dunes, traverses a rocky hinterland and wetland where water is naturally filtered by aquatic plants and culminates in an inland bush setting. Here a gathering place promotes immersion, observation, connection and reflection.

The garden was constructed from recycled and local materials and consists entirely of Victorian indigenous plants that will provide a habitat for local wildlife. Water treatment has been designed to balance a healthy ecological system with aesthetic objectives.

'Saltbush'

SILVER GILT SHOW GARDEN

'New Nordic Notes'

designed by Annika Zetterman and Kajsa Bjorne

Annika and Kajsa’s garden will celebrate and share the natural beauty and culture of their Nordic heritage.

The New Nordic Notes Garden derives from their Scandinavian heritage. The Nordicness in my spirit lies deep, constantly working towards elegant and meaningful expressions through simplicity.

SILVER SHOW GARDENS

'Inner Journey'

designed by Christian Jenkins Landscape Design and Margaret River Trees

The design is a collaboration with Margret River Trees, framed with the striking boldness of towering Bottle Trees, one of Australia’s greatest trees.

In addition, the Show Garden showcased further trees over 500 years old, celebrating their architectural brilliance in this contemporary garden setting combined with a mix of Australian Native plants.

A contemporary landscape garden celebrating Australian Native Plants, limestone garden beds, decked boardwalks and a large body of water sets the scene for this Wellness Garden.

The large body of water creates a range of reflections that remind us of the mysterious wonders of nature.

Photo credits:

Allie Aszodi & Annika Zetterman

SILVER SHOW GARDENS

'Australian Idyll'

designed by Platylobium Landscape Design

There has never been a stronger pull to the rural, natural, native landscapes of Australia. Since the pandemic, people are moving away from cities and getting closer to nature. For those who can’t do this, their garden is a chance to emulate this feeling. A rural Idyll is a social construct of an idealised image or stereotype of life in rural villages, places that enjoy a slower pace and are uninhibited by the goings on of the outside world. We felt that there is a new, emerging social construct of an Australian Idyll, the pull toward the bush, a gravity that is growing stronger every year.

This garden is designed to have a low impact on the environment and a high impact on the people who use it. In creating this garden we are drawing on the inspiration that this country, under the custodianship of First Nations people, provides in abundance. The garden is the result of collaboration between a team of people who value biophilic design, craftsmanship and sustainability.

'A Moment in Time'

Designed by Peter Donegan Design & Landscaping

A Moment in Time – Presented by Daisy’s Garden Supplies, is the story of an Air Force veteran who returns to a place he hoped to be able to recall home. The garden is secluded and remains as if he had never left.

The design aims to show what is when there is no head stone to one who has not fallen and, though a body is not lost, there remains a mind that can never be the same as it was prior.

The garden features a fragmented path winding to an aged, grassed roof wood cabin and a Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft, the project that once was a wished for return to flight of a then younger man, not complete in its repair or trajectory stalled by tree growth over time, stimulated only by the turbulence of what comes with the witness of conflict.

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In fact, our public space specifier network reaches the decision makers that look after more than 77% of the development of Australian public space projects!

If your business would benefit from reaching an audience that specifies millions of dollars worth of commercial and civil projects every year, then Outdoor Design Source is your network.

To find out how ODS can help get your business into the hands of decision makers across the country, contact: Pilar Danlag Vic Sales Manager | 0414 468 243 | pdanlag@umco.com.au

BRONZE SHOW GARDEN

'Gratus'

by Riley Cooper Landscape Design & Horticulture

Gratus represents gratitude, a place to thank the people who came before us and who matter today. As a society we can take things for granted, and this garden is about

Photo: Allie Claire Creative

BOUTIQUE GARDENS

INNERSANCTUM

designed by Paul Pritchard Landscape Design

Design: Paul Pritchard Landscape Design

Construction: Adam Hompas Landscapes

Paul Pritchard Landscapes has been creating beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces throughout Melbourne and its surrounds for almost twenty years. Paul designs with a passion for creating spaces that provide a complementary fusion of nature, function, and design while accommodating each client’s individual needs and desires.

Paul brings the design “Innersanctum” to the show this year. “Innersanctum” connect with your inner sanctum in our idyllic plunge pool and courtyard garden, where tranquillity meets luxury in pure harmony. This stunning outdoor retreat has been meticulously designed to provide a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation, offering a seamless blend of natural beauty and modern amenities.

Photos: Allie Clare Creative

BOUTIQUE GARDENS

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

designed by Paul Alexander Landscapes

Design: Paul Alexander Landscape

Construction: ACM Outdoors

Paul Alexander Landscape is an industry-leading landscape design studio, known for its innovative approach to residential landscape projects, delivering highly responsive design outcomes that are sensitive to both site and context.

The garden design concept draws inspiration from an emerging architectural approach that accentuates the intersection between landscape and built environment. In response to this approach, the garden's design emphasises the natural environment, while architectural elements assume a secondary role as sculptural complements. A rearranging of priorities that constitutes a refreshing change. The central design ethos involves an integration of abundant greenery. Simultaneously, architectural structures are conceived as unobtrusive sculptural arches. These arches, conceived with lightweight materials and permeable forms, maintain a harmonious dialogue with the surrounding environment. They function as design elements and symbolic gateways, facilitating the interaction between vegetation and structure.

photo: Annika Kafcaloudis https://annikakafcaloudis.com/

BOUTIQUE GARDENS

COASTAL WAVES

designed by Smart Landscapes

Design: Smart Landscapes

Construction: Smart Landscapes

Smart Landscapes is a full-service landscaping solution on the Mornington Peninsula. They design, build, and maintain beautiful gardens that will complement and enhance the architecture of your home.

“Coastal Waves” celebrates the many vibrant and textural plants indigenous to the Peninsula. Aside from being beautiful, these natives require less water, resulting in long-term cost savings and ultimately helping to preserve one of our most valuable resources: water. The species featured in this garden play an important role in creating habitats for many birds and other native wildlife and are vital in reducing soil erosion.

BOUTIQUE GARDENS

MOTHER OCEAN

designed by Althaus Landscape Designs

Design: Althaus Landscape Designs

Construction: Klaycon Landscape Construction

Owned by Daniel Althaus, Althaus Landscape Designs is passionate about working closely with clients to create a space that is unique and reflects who they are and their individual needs.

Mother Ocean is a garden that transcends traditional landscaping, symbolising a profound shift in our approach to gardening and our connection with the natural world. This visionary garden encourages us to depart from the rigid, man-made designs that have long dominated our landscapes and instead embrace a more naturalistic aesthetic that promotes environmental well-being.

gan.com.au gardens_at_night

BOUTIQUE GARDENS

OPEN AIR

design

and construction

by Esjay Landscapes

Design: Esjay Landscapes + Pools

Construction: Esjay Landscapes + Pools

Esjay Landscapes + Pools is a boutique landscape design studio based in Melbourne, Australia. Over the past twenty years, the business has evolved and grown, curating a diverse portfolio of luxury residential properties and designing and building liveable gardens and outdoor spaces for some of Victoria’s most enviable homes.

Being in nature and fresh, open air has proven to boost mood, decrease stress, and reduce high blood pressure and heart rate. Unhindered by the small area, their team wanted to capture the beauty and tranquillity of outdoor space at home and demonstrate that through harnessing water flow and whimsical plantings, harmony and modern aesthetics collide for the ultimate courtyard – a place to relax, wind down and be at one with the world outside.

Tim Turner Photography

Design with the Best

Globe Plants Find Their Place in Vectorworks Landmark

Vectorworks Landmark is your premier choice for landscape design software. In one program, you have everything you need to design, document, and collaborate on any type of landscape project.

A big draw to Vectorworks Landmark is its plant visualisation capabilities. You can take advantage of the software’s extensive library of plant content that’s loaded with data and is ready to use immediately. Whether you design in 2D, 3D, or a combination of the two, you can rest assured that you have the flexibility to work the way you want.

As an additional option for plant visualisation, we’re delighted to announce our partnership with Globe Plants, a world leader in plant visualisation. This partnership expands the power of 3D plant visualisation in a simple and accessible way.

Globe Plants’ 3D plant models are used widely among creative professionals to animate and render lifelike scenes. Globe Plants thoroughly research the plant species for which they create models, creating accurate 3D representations of plants often by travelling internationally. This allows them to create seasonal and size variants in a way that’s otherwise impossible.

Luckily for those who design with Vectorworks, Globe Plants also produce image stills or “cutouts” of their plants, available as image props in Vectorworks. The file formats are readily imported into Vectorworks to be used as graphics to show a client or as a 3D visualisation of a plant style.

We encourage you to try some of the free Globe Plant content for yourself. You can find it in the Resource Manager in Vectorworks. You can also visit Globe Plants’ website to find 2D PNG and Vectorworks image props under the Collections dropdown. More and more Vectorworks-specific content is coming as Globe Plants retrospectively access their back catalogues, so be sure to keep an eye on this incredible resource.

Industry Nights

The 2024 LV Industry Night calendar is filled with brilliant opportunities to help your landscaping business thrive.

Designed to cultivate connections with fellow landscaping professionals and create a community of like-minded people, LV Industry Nights are just one of the many benefits of an LV membership. Each unique event gives you the opportunity to hear from industry leaders, subject matter experts, business support services, and key partners in our industry supply chain. They are a great way to expand your network and build relationships.

Oh, plus, you’ll enjoy a free feed!

Our Resilience Mindset (held in Hawthorn this February) and Torquay Regional Roadshow (held in April) industry nights were hugely successful.

We can’t put on these events without the support of our amazing sponsors and event partners.

Thank you to our event partners for these events: Coolabah Turf, Milwaukee Tools Australia, Daisy’s Garden Group, C.Fulton, Holcim Australia, O'Connors Transport, Surecrop Compost, and Langwarrin Quarries.

Visit the Events page on the LV website for information about upcoming Industry Nights.

www.landscapingvictoria.com.au

WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2024

SPORTSBET SANDOWN (SANDOWN RACECOURSE)

Join peers, suppliers and customers at The Landscape Show 2024 for a day of unrivalled networking and inspiration to all landscape professionals.

Gain a huge advantage by accessing the latest products, innovations and advice

Natasha Dixon, Attendee,Candix Landscapes

1500+ visitors

Over 100 exhibitors

Giveaways & offers

Live seminars & presentations

Networking opportunities

REgiSTER TO ATTEND TODAY!

The Landscape Show 2024

A Can't-Miss Event for Landscaping Pros

Get ready, landscaping professionals! The 7th annual Landscape Show (TLS) is just around the corner. It will be an action-packed day of networking, learning and discovering the latest industry products and services.

The Landscape Show 2024: Mark your calendars! 22 May 2024, 8 am until 3 pm at Sportsbet Sandown (Sandown Racecourse).

Born in 2018 to fill a gap in the Australian market, TLS has blossomed into a highlyanticipated annual event catering exclusively to the needs of the landscaping trade.

Each year, it attracts more exhibitors and attendees, solidifying its position as an essential platform for professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and stay ahead of the curve.

This year's lineup is fantastic, with many exhibitors showcasing their cutting-edge offerings. From top-notch machinery and irrigation equipment to hand tools, power tools, outdoor fixtures, plants, trees, turf, and business software tools - TLS 2024 has it all under one roof.

But that's not all! Prepare to be inspired by our celebrity guest speakers, who will deliver value-packed seminars loaded with insights to help your business thrive. Garry Lyon, Fraser Gehrig, and Paul Guerra from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) will hit the Victorian Building Authority Stage with impactful sessions and a Q&A with Ritchie Hinton, LV CEO.

"This year's Show will be the biggest yet, with bumper numbers of exhibitors confirmed and a stellar lineup of Q&A celebrity and industry guests also locked in," said Ritchie.

Exciting new exhibitors are joining TLS 2024, bringing fresh variety to the show floor. Our outdoor space is super-charged with great exhibits from brands such as Greenworks, Super Groups, Avant, Patterson Cheney, Hexhire, William Adams—CAT, and Stilla.

With so many innovative products and solutions, you'll discover new ways to elevate your landscaping game.

Presenting partner Arborgreen is back for another year. As Marc Jarvis, Head of Marketing at Arborgreen, shares, "We're better when we work together...This belief is at our core. TLS is the perfect place for the industry to connect and exchange ideas."

We welcome and thank our major sponsors, Daisy's Garden Supplies and Stihl, as well as our supporting sponsors, Formboss, Coolabah Turf, and Repurpose It.

Attendees will receive a FREE show bag upon entry courtesy of Shapescaper, plus don't miss out on your FREE coffee brought to you by Madewell Products.

Take advantage of this unrivalled opportunity to meet peers, suppliers, and customers and explore the latest landscaping products, innovations, and services. With 90+ exhibitors and invaluable networking, The Landscape Show is a must-do!

Book your FREE tickets online and go into the running to win early bird prizes!

With so much in store, you'd be mad to miss this must-attend event for landscaping professionals!

The Landscape Show

22 May 2024

8am - 3pm

Sportsbet Sandown (Sandown Racecourse)

Tickets: Free

Secure your ticket

www.thelandscapeshow.com.au

Annual Member Golf Day 2024

That's A Wrap on the 2024 LV Member Golf Day!

It was truly wonderful to see such a fantastic turnout for a day on the green! The camaraderie, enthusiasm and spirit of all attendees made the event truly special.

A highlight for LV was seeing a sense of community and connection throughout our members, providing an opportunity to forge new relationships & reconnect with old friends.

WINNERS

1st place - Congratulations to the team from Esjay Landscapes (pictured, right)

Sam Collie | Emily Collie | Trev Woods | Gareth Taylor

In 2nd place - Congratulations to the team from Green Exteriors, Pote Plumbing & Mud Office

David Bascombe | Joe Pote | Erik Holt | Jim

Huge thanks to all of our sponsors who helped make our annual Member Day such a huge success. We couldn't have done it without your generous support and thank you for your ongoing commitment to our Association and this event for our Members.

VBA Industry Update

With a lot of prominent consumer issues in the media recently, no one wants rogue operators damaging the reputation of their profession.

The Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 was passed in the Victorian Parliament last July, implementing a number of reforms to reshape our regulatory landscape, and it came into effect on 1 February 2024, bringing the important work that the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) does into the spotlight.

Our new Regulatory Policy Statement (the Policy), which we shared late last year, has been crucial in embedding the VBA’s work as a trusted regulator and we are now in the process of finalising a new framework for our approach to compliance and enforcement activities.

This approach will be focused on working proactively to ensure the compliance and performance of building and plumbing practitioners and act where their obligations have not been met.

To further strengthen the VBA’s abilities to deliver best practice regulation, new governance arrangements were announced that will come into effect from 31 March 2024.

Anna Cronin has been appointed as the Commissioner for the Victorian Building Authority. This position reports directly to the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny. The new role replaces the VBA’s current Board and will be in place for two years, until 31 March 2026.

To support this appointment, two new high level advisory committees will also be established –one for building and one for plumbing.

The significance of these changes to our governance is that it cuts red tape and streamlines our approach. This is an exciting new chapter for the VBA as we continue to focus on improving consumer outcomes in the building system.

Readers CornerLandscaping Book review

Join us as we take a look at three of three top-rated landscaping books, according to Amazon.

Looking for inspiration, or maybe something just to pep up your coffee table – look no further!

Dreamscapes: Inspiration and beauty in gardens near and far

by Claire Takacs

Captured in stunning detail by a world-class photographer, Dreamscapes features 70 of the most spectacular gardens in the world, all photographed at the height of their beauty.

The gardens featured range from the classic, like the beautiful Edwardian idyll of Bryan's Ground in Herefordshire, and Kenrokuen, one of Japan's most exquisite public gardens, to those at the forefront of planting design, like Hermannshof in Germany. Other iconic gardens include the stunning Welsh garden Dyffryn Fernant, Australia's Cloudehill, Martha Stewart's private estate in the US, Vita Sackville-West's home, Long Barn in Kent, the naturalistic French garden of Le Jardin Plume in Normandy, and Piet Oudolf's Hummelo in the Netherlands, among others.

The genius of landscape designers such as Brandon Tyson, Paul Bangay and Fernando Martos is showcased to its very best effect by the haunting and evocative photographs of award-winning garden photographer, Claire Takacs. This magnificent volume will set you dreaming of some of the most beautiful gardens created on this earth.

The Landscape of Home: In the Country, By the Sea, In the City

by Edmund Hollander (Author)

From AD100 landscape architect Edmund Hollander, a collection of spectacular projects celebrating the way we live outdoors, from pastoral retreats to seaside escapes to rooftop refuges. In this book, Hollander explores the idea of home as the natural surroundings that people live in: a place of living, changing beauty, refuge, and above all, joy, where family and friends gather to create a lifetime of memories.

The book presents homes in the countryside, along the coast, and in town—and features a rich diversity of projects, from country estates to rooftop gardens. Throughout, Hollander discusses essential elements in his firm’s work: the importance of the procession of entry to a house, as well as its context in the landscape; the positioning of plant life and trees; the way people move into and through a property; and the way a garden looks and changes through the seasons. Within each project there are a striking variety of components—outdoor rooms for living and lounging, including oceanside hearths, infinity pools, and verdant dining spaces, as well as pollinator gardens, naturalistic meadows, and tranquil allées.

A Garden's Purpose: Cultivating Our Connection with the Natural World Hardcover

by Félix de Rosen (Author)

Essays and stories to inspire us to nurture diverse, meaningful relationships with gardens and landscapes.

"A garden, as Félix de Rosen suggests in this book, is not a place separate to the world but a tether to it. At a time of increasing ecological and cultural fragmentation and loss, de Rosen reminds us of the importance of the garden as a place of gentle activism and abundance, and gardening as a framework for being with the more-than-human world--engaging with care, reciprocity, and creativity. A Garden's Purpose is an important, timely book." -- Georgina Reid, editor of Wonderground Journal and author of The Planthunter: Truth, Beauty, Chaos, and Plants

The garden provides a powerful, generous way of looking at the world. Through stories and essays, this gracious volume, written in a highly accessible tone, invites readers on a journey to understand gardens as places where we build mutually beneficial relationships with the living world around us.

As beautiful spaces, gardens fill us with hope and wonder. As gathering places, they nurture friendships and communities. Thoughtfully crafted, they make us pause and appreciate our surroundings.

Each chapter in this book is dedicated to a specific idea or element of the garden, from places where gardens grow to garden management to color and texture, and everything in between. Hundreds of gardens from all corners of the globe are included, photographed in glorious full color.

Perfect for home gardeners, landscape designers, or as a gift for the gardener in your life, this is an ode to the wonder, design, and habitat of gardens, and an inspiration to nurture meaningful relationships with the natural world around us.