Local budding talent wins top prize at show

Jan Juc landscape architect Matt York keeps getting better at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, with his creation judged best in show this year.

York, who is the director of landscape architecture at Ratio Consultants, took home a bronze in Show Gardens in 2024 and a silver medal last year but his 2026 entry, We the Wild, won one of the two gold medals presented last night ahead of the show’s first day today.

Judges also awarded the garden the Horticultural Media Association Award for Best Use of Plant Life.

We the Wild showcases how everyday backyards can support city-wide biodiversity, cooling and water management.

Inspired by Victorian landscapes such as the Otways and Wilsons Promontory, the garden translates large-scale natural environments into a realistic suburban setting using entirely native Australian planting.

Sustainability is central to the design, with 70 per soft landscaping, 47 per cent tree canopy coverage, 100 per cent stormwater capture and recycled materials throughout, demonstrating how measurable environmental outcomes can drive design.

York said he was elated and humbled to have won the top prize.

“[This show] is the pinnacle of our industry, being being the third largest flower and garden show in the world after Singapore and Chelsea,” he said.

“It meant the world to win and be recognised by our peers in the industry.”

He said his aim with We the Wild was to bring the restorative power of nature and the ancient landscapes along the southern Victorian coastline into a small garden design.

“We have grass trees, which are our feature trees; they’re over 200 years old. And we’ve also used dicksonia ferns, which are so synonymous with the Otways, as part of the design. Both are ancient vegetation,” he said.

York thanked his local suppliers, including Surf Coast Palms, for their help in creating the garden.

An entry by Geelong’s Joel Barnett, je ne sais quoi, also won a gold award in the Show Garden competition as well as the Mark Bence Construction Award.

Barnett’s 11th garden at the show was directly inspired by his childhood at the Geelong Cement Cricket Club.

The garden reflects the unique setting of the club beside the former Geelong Cement Works, which operated from 1890 to 2001 and had its silos demolished in 2020.

The design explores themes of memory, industry and belonging.

“This year’s entries have truly raised the bar,” show director Trent Cornish said.

“From breathtaking show gardens to bold, boundary-pushing floral installations, our designers have demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship and creativity, setting a new benchmark for the industry. Equally impressive is the elevated quality of plants and flowers on display, bringing remarkable depth and vibrancy to every space.

“We can’t wait for the public to step into this living showcase of world-class design and immerse themselves in the beauty on display throughout this year’s show.”

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is now open and runs until Sunday 29 March.

For more information, head to melbflowershow.com.au