Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show trends

Head-turning plants and landscaping genius are the reasons crowds flock to garden shows. And this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) was no exception. Gardens blended edible and ornamental plantings to create pretty and practical spaces, alongside layered green palettes built from shades of foliage. Small spaces were thoughtfully designed to feel open, functional and inviting. The native plant love affair is ongoing, and well-placed lighting helped extend outdoor areas into the evening. No matter the size of your space, there’s plenty for you to dig into.

At a glance: Key garden trends from the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

• Green plant palettes: Varied leaf shapes and textures create a dynamic look and feel;
• Water features: Sunken spas, water bowls and reflective pools;
• Playful garden art: Sculptures of Australian animals, birds and wood carvings;
• Balcony gardens: Layered garden beds, large feature pots and integrated seating; and
• Small-space gardens: Atmospheric lighting and decorative edible plants.

Key trend: Green on green

A mostly green planting palette was a clear theme across the show, building interest through texture, shape and subtle shifts in tone rather than relying on colour. From deep greens to soft silver-greens, layered foliage created a landscape with depth, showing how a restrained colour range can still feel varied and dynamic.

How to get the look

Layer varied leaf shapes, tones and textures to elevate a green scheme. Try:

• Bold foliage: Tractor seat plant (Ligularia reniformis), elephant’s ears (Alocasia spp) or giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai).
• Silvery-green tones: Kalanchoe ‘Silver Spoons’ (Kalanchoe hildebrandtii), licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare), yellow buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) and kangaroo paw ‘Bush Diamond’ (Anigozanthos spp).
• Fine texture: Carex ‘Feather Falls’ (Carex oshimensis), blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum), and blue fescue (Festuca glauca).

Key trend: Water features

Water features were a stand-out across MIFGS, bringing a sense of movement and a cooling effect to outdoor spaces. From larger reflective pools to smaller, organic-shaped bowls nestled into plantings, these elements were often grounded in greenery to soften hard landscaping and create natural focal points.

Water was also used more formally, with structured pools guiding the eye towards a semi-ruined tower, as an inset feature – a spa set into the lawn, and integrated as a subtle, sculptural element within the landscape, enhancing a sense of tranquillity.

Key trend: Garden art

These bold features add personality, texture and a strong focal point to outdoor spaces.

Carved from country: Created from salvaged trees, these artistic wood carvings by David Ferrier in ‘Plantcestors’ celebrate natural materials.

Birds of a feather: Umbrellas were reimagined as bird-like sculptures in the ‘Indigenous Garden’, from Wurundjeri Council and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

Aussie icon: This geometric take on a platypus adds a playful touch while grounding the garden in local character, in Danscapes’ ‘Rustic Calm’.

Key trend: Elevated living

• Balcony gardens at the show moved beyond standalone pots, with built-in planters used to create a considered, cohesive space.
• Raised garden beds and integrated seating allowed for deeper planting, giving greenery room to thrive while softening hard edges.
• Where pots were used, designers favoured fewer, larger pieces as feature elements. Warm, earthy tones – from timber to terracotta – provided a consistent backdrop, while pops of colour in furniture and finishes added personality.
• Layered garden beds, with seating and plantings set across different levels, made areas feel larger and more inviting, turning the balcony into a true extension of the home.

Key trend: Small space, big output

Growing food doesn’t have to be purely practical. It can be beautiful too, even in small areas. In ‘The Lucky Garden Block’ by Axon Garden Studio, a serpentine-trained apple tree created a striking feature, while a hanging mesh strawberry sphere increased planting space.

Want to maximise your compact garden?

Check out our article on seven small outdoor area ideas.

Photo credit: Martina Gemmola. 

[disclaimers]
Some photographs feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings.