The top garden design trends from Melbourne's International Flower and Garden Show

Christian's top trends in "Inner Calm":

1. Wellness gardens: a space designed for the individual to reflect and a place they can recharge and connect.
2. Water features: large lagoon-style features in the garden create that instant tranquillity, reflection, movement and sound. 
3. Tropical inspired gardens: They work hand in hand with a wellness-inspired garden - the rich bold foliage, drought and wind tolerance and suitability for Victoria's climate. This garden style is not for everyone.

Ian Firth (Warners Nurseries)

Warners Nurseries has been associated with bringing gardening to Victorians since the first Melbourne Garden Week in 1925 and at every MIFGS since. This garden, "More than Meets the Eye", highlights the diversity of plantings suitable for Victorian Gardens and shows the range of design possibilities available. It brings plants that WR Warner was growing in 1914 together with the latest' trends' in contemporary garden Design.

Ian's top trends in "More than Meets the Eye":

1. Ginkgo biloba 'Piedmont Pillar: "The living fossil" is a species of tree native to China. It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago. It also happens to be a stunning deciduous tree with vibrant autumn foliage.
2. Laurus Nobilis' Miles Choice: "A Bay for all Seasons" – The bay hedge is one of the most versatile screening plants available. Hardy, drought, and frost tolerant with deep green foliage. It forms the backbone of our garden. 
3. The Edible Garden: The symbol of sustainability. From the salvaged materials used to construct the paling fence and wall to the very nature of the home-grown food, this section of our garden, 'More than Meets the Eye' captures our sustainable ethos.

Inge Jabara (Inge Jabara Landscapes)

The three top trends in "Granum Flore":

1. Corten steel (rusty steel) is back for garden feature elements. For a few years now, it's been all about powder-coated black steel. Now it's flicking back to the good old Corten Steel hero. 
2. Cobblestone pavers, but not just for a traditional look. In our garden this year, we have used Italian porphyry cobblestones from RMS Traders for a modern touch. These cobblestones have a wonderful variation of natural colours, like a natural river bed.
3. Simple block planting - through key selections we have only used approximately ten plant species to create a soft and simple look. Plants in wheat colours with soft textures were used. It's all about creating tranquillity and low maintenance at home. Also, a more important factor about simple block planting is that they require less maintenance and chemicals because they emulate what the natural landscape is already doing.