Created for the Victoria Racing Club’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Wildflower Garden was a collaboration between landscape architects Andrew Laidlaw and Phillip Withers. Designed as a vibrant destination within the event precinct, the immersive garden celebrated the colour, movement and generosity of the Australian landscape while paying homage to the bold forms and planting compositions of Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx.

A series of flowing pathways guided visitors through sculpted lawns, natural stone outcrops and sweeping drifts of more than 5,000 plants. Australian native wildflowers and grasses were interwoven with expressive exotic species to create a richly layered landscape of texture, colour and seasonal interest. Living sculptural planting formed focal points throughout the garden, creating moments of surprise and encouraging visitors to pause, gather and experience the landscape from within.

The sculpted topography was shaped using sweeping corten steel edging, expansive lawn mounds and locally sourced natural stone seating, creating an environment that balanced the excitement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival with moments of respite. Every element was designed to enrich the visitor experience and demonstrate the power of landscape to transform temporary event spaces into memorable destinations.

Collaborators

• Bamstone
• FormBoss
• Lilydale Instant Lawn
• Botanix Plant Supply
• Tall Trees
• Palm Place
• Palm Life
• Narbethong Native Nursery
• Plantex Nursery
• Plants Galore
• Tree Growers Australia