Stunning Chelsea Australian Garden now open in Victoria

Nestled among the towering gums of the much-loved Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden on Wurundjeri Country, visitors can wander the winding paths, listen to the frogs in the billabong, and explore over 400 different species of native Australian plants at the stunning Chelsea Australian Garden.

The garden is Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson’s re-creation of the award-winning ‘Australian Garden’. In 2013, Phillip Johnson, Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders team's garden became the first ever Australian entry to win Gold at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. The display was toured by the Queen and Prince Harry and was unanimously voted ‘Best in Show’ by the judges.

Ten years later, Phillip Johnson has re-created the garden in Olinda. The new garden is over 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation in the area. It is a permanent display, featuring an enormous Waratah sculpture, waterfall and billabong. Over 15,000 plants have been used in the design, with over 400 different Australian species, including rare and endangered species such as the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis), which is listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

Many of NGIV’s industry partners and members have helped to make the garden possible, including: Botanix Plant Supply, Fleming’s Nurseries, Established Tree Transplanters, Kenthurst Nursery, Yarra View Bushland Nursery, Kuranga Native Nursery, Native Plant Wholesalers, Oz Watergardens, Plant Multi Nursery, Proteaflora Nursery, Simon the Plant Man, Station Creek Tree Farm, True Blue Nursery, and Vaughan’s Australian Plants/Boutique Natives. The garden showcases sustainable and water-wise design, including an integrated bushfire protection system, solar power and the clever use of recycled and reclaimed materials, such as seating which was lovingly crafted from the Dandenong Ranges storm recovery program.

It also promotes and supports biodiversity through the creation of important native habitats for native plants and animals. This will encourage wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt stated, “This garden has been highly anticipated among nature lovers near and far. We are thrilled to be providing more opportunities for people to get into nature, and this garden will showcase Australia’s captivating and diverse native flora.”

The project was made possible thanks to a $3.8 million investment from the Victorian Government, $2.2 million from the Federal Government and $340,000 in funds raised by the People and Parks Foundation.