Need design inspiration? Here are designs from Garden Designfest 2012

The award winning design from Robert Boyle's 'The Ivanhoe Project'

Here is a selection of design styles to satisfy everyone's sense of 'outside'. Of course there were top-end residences with built-in backdrops that could only be seen to be believed. But there were also modest yet quirky properties where designs seemed to take on more personality. There were many varied applications of the typical vegie patch, the inclusion of citrus trees, the use of sculpture to draw the eye and succulents to transfix once caught. 

We think there is something for everyone and these designs cover a broad sprectrum of styles; formal, semi-formal, strictly native, eclectic assortments and rambling gardens. Clearly each designer was passionate about what they were trying to achieve and each one showcased practical use of hard surfaces.

Some gardens, like Phillip Johnson's design at 24 Glencairn Avenue, Brighton East was newly planted which allowed visitors to clearly see what was planted and where. In five years time that same garden will take on a completely different feel once plants and trees grow into their space. Others like Robert Boyle's award winning design at Ivanhoe and Eugene Gilligan's design at Kew were much more established and chock full of mature specimens.

All the gardens viewed utillised the natural features of the site, even as far as blending in with neigbouring properties. Design landscape businesses with post planting maintenance crews were obvious at some of the larger, more extablished sites such as Ian Barker's design in East Malvern and the stylish and very practical Mont Albert property designed by Don Thomson.

Many gardens included eye-catching garden art which had the effect of drawing the eye to specific focal points. A thoughtful inclusion in the Lisa Ellis designed garden in East Malvern was a sculptured piece of fruit to suit her edible theme of citrus, avocado, bay trees and herbs. Tucked into Wendy Clarke's design in Hawthorn was a wise owl, tucked away behind multiple plants and trees of interest including Corymbia ficifolia and under the shade under two magnificent Peppercorn (Schinus Molle) trees. Clever sculptures also work well to add interest to minimalist gardens which use a handful of species but to mass affect as used by Eugine Gilligan at his garden in Kew.

The stand-out and stand-alone feature definitely went to Fiona Brockhoff's red rabbit in her design located in Malvern. Amongst the lush green oasis and mix of exotic and native mature trees, this contempory artwork sits alert like a beacon among the trees. Another eye-catching use of art was in Phil Stray's design in Alphington which used enormous snakes as retaining walls and sitting structures adding a playful interest to a predominant Australian native garden.

For more images, designer profiles and notes about each individual garden, please click here or visit www.gardendesignfest.com.au.