MIFGS continued...

The Completed Build for MIFGS 2012

After 7 days of building, countless hours for planning, designing and hunting down suitable suppliers to make the whole experience possible....it's done!

My first MIFGS Show Garden is finished. After having a 'relaxing' day of completing the final touches to my garden I am now walking away. I can do no more. I have completed what I had set out to do and I'm satisfied. I have a beautiful feeling of serenity washing over me.

This is bliss...
I have 5 days of showcasing my design to the public to contend with yet but...this is bliss.
I have to wait until tomorrows breakfast to find out the result of many hours of planning, worrying and constructing but...this is bliss.
I have to pull the whole thing down at 5pm Sunday night once the gates are shut but ...you get the picture... blisssss

There's only one thing left for me to do.
Tell you if I won or not.

Look at the photos, then scroll to the bottom of the page and I will tell you.

I didn't win.

But I had the most wonderful experience of my life and met some fabulous people and rekindled other relationships from the past. MIFGS is the biggest flower and garden show in the world and I have felt very privileged to have been a finalist in this terrific competition. Horticulture and the landscaping industry is a great industry to be a part of. In my 20 odd years of being in business I have always experienced supportive and inclusive people who love to help out with business advice, referrals and time- the most valuable commodity of them all.

Lee

MIFGS contuinued...

Day5
Dropped my mobile phone in my cup of tea as I drive to Carlton Gardens - yes I know 'don't drink and drive'. It cost me all my photos of the build to date. And $229 to replace. Not happy Jan!

But we must carry on regardless.
The build is going well, although we had to adjust the shape of the boxing as it has appeared to have become a diamond shape rather than a square! This results in having to move the gabion wall (which had just been filled with very heavy stone and also move the hot tub (all 150kilos of it)! All in a days work though right?

We were still running to schedule so although a blow, it was not fatal.

Colourbond Fencing by Bluescope Lysaght

Gabion by Gr8 Walls and Stone by Stone Culture

Random Italian porphyry stone supplied by Stone Culture is positioned in place

Water Tank supplied by Roofing Options Centre

That tall silver pole is a light not a shower head as many visitors thought!

Lighting being placed by Ian of Green Southern Lights

My sign is in place unfortunately my business name is bella botanics NOT bella botanicals!!

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

MIFGS Emerging Designers Competition

Well March is well and truly upon us and MIFGS is here, ready or not! 

Thankfully I'm ready.

After months of organising, ordering plants, securing sponsors and meeting my fabulous landscapers, MIFGS is finally here. The anticipation has been growing and its fabulous to to see the design come to life.

The design brief given to me and my fellow competitors and is a challenging and inspirational one.  Our 'client' this year is The CFA and we are to design a fire safe garden for a suburban home.

Our allotment has the dimensions of 6 x 6m and we can build whatever we like within that space. Our budget is $3,000.

My design is called Urban Sanctuary.

I'm aiming to create a beautiful garden for a family home in the suburbs. Within my design I have elements of fun, relaxation, sustainability and of course safety. I want my design to embrace all the elements a family could want whilst not compromising beauty or functionality.

 Here are some photos of art pieces being used in the design

Phoenix by Overwrought

Decorative gates by  Overwrought

The beautiful chair designed and made by Overwrought

Day 1 of the build - putting together the hot tub by Ukko Spas and Saunas 
gabion wall by gr8walls

Trees are positioned

End of day 1 and all is on track with boxing complete.

Summer

Welcome readers to the first installment of my gardening blog

Softening Light

Hello You,

Salvia mexicana 'Limelight'

Well I'm not sure if I'm wanting to start each blog off by writing about the weather but, man, I love autumn!  I just love the cooler nights and snuggling into the doona. And those warm,  cloudless days....superb. Just perfect for gardening in.
And plants love it too. It's a great opportunity for plants to put on some leaves before winter comes in and you can almost hear them sighing with relief that the hot weather is over.

I also love the possibilities the cooler weather brings to the garden. The idea of dividing plants and making the decision of whether to spread a drift of this or that, remove them altogether, renew the clump or relocate. Decisions!

Canna 'Tropicanna'

I find it hard to throw plants away that I have divided up. I feel like they're my babies and I can't discard them just like rubbish. I give them away to friends or leave them on a tray by the front gate for lucky passers-by. They are always snapped up by other eager gardeners. The idea of strangers taking my plants home and enjoying them makes me think of waving off my offspring as they head off into the big wide world in search of an adventure. Gardeners are always sharing their spoils. You often hear of folk swapping this and that plant and educating each other with stories of where plants came from and  how to grow them in the process; friendships forming.

Salvia 'Black and Blue'

Over the years I have been collecting different varieties of salvia. I seem to have developed an addiction to them having countless numbers now. I find them so rewarding with their vibrant array of colourful flowers. And they are quite tolerant of dry spots in the garden making them perfect for water-misers and gardening in drought conditions. It seems so long as they get a sunny spot in the garden then they are pretty happy with life. If only people could be so easily pleased! Most of my salvia's are still looking great. Many of the salvia genus are very long flowering, some for up to 9 months of the year. The tall Salvia 'Black and Blue', 'Lime Light' and 'Black Knight' are still performing well in my garden. All they require is a light deadhead every now and then to keep them blooming well.
Salvia leucantha are now starting to push out their first buds of colour that will last well into next spring. Their furry little buds and leaves glistening silver in the sunlight. Just a delight.

Enjoy the warm before the chill.

Lee