Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2022

Welcome to Inner Calm a tropical-inspired garden designed to transport the viewer from their daily routine to a place full of serenity, calmness, and rest. Today it is more common that people feel tired, stressed, anxious, and depressed, we have all been trapped and the world is moving very quickly.

How do we find fulfillment? Inner Calm has been designed to help combat all of these problems by creating a garden to bring people together in a relaxing setting surrounded by Nature, the greatest medicine of all, a garden that allows us to connect, slow down and be aware of the things around you, paying attention to the sound, sight, texture and savour the scent. Upon arrival one is greeted by a formal entrance with 2 oversized hand-carved stone elephants signifying kindness, strength, and stability. At this point, one can observe the balance of the garden with a play of symmetry, height, and order with a soft curvaceousness of the space. The garden has a perfect oval shape of 14m long x 12m wide that has been wrapped in Australian limestone, looking into the garden a large lagoon creates a calming and soothing ambiance, whilst capturing a mirror-like reflection with the black water.

Steps lead one onto large floating limestone slabs leading one across the water with soft planting of Dichondra adding pops of green as one is transported through the garden to a Polynesian-inspired pavilion, creating a striking pose of architectural form and function to the space. The pavilion acts as an Outdoor Lounge room, creating a place to gather, rest and reflect. The tropical contemporary-inspired styling is intended to create a sense of calm whilst the skylights allow the natural light to enter the space.

Adding to the form and function of Inner Calm the garden has both an Outdoor Kitchen area with a canter levered roof, and organic inspired sunken seats are equipped with a fire bowl adding to the many ways to enjoy the garden, which is a continually growing trend in today’s garden requirements.

The garden has been designed with a strong disposition. The palms have been planted in a sequence creating a strong sense of order and balance; plants have been planted in waves hugging the perimeter of the garden. Two large Dracaena Draco’s sit proudly in the lagoon adding a strong textural element, combined with a less structured planting hugging the banks of the lagoon, which are cascading onto the water's edge. Adding impact to the garden 2 large Mexican palms and Chinese Fan palms tower above the garden. The sound of water cascades from two large stone female carvings, hiding in the rear of the pavilion adding to the subtle symmetry of the garden. This creates a secondary entry and exit to the space, particularly for those not wanting to walk over the water.

Inner Calm is a contemporary tropical-inspired garden, designed to feel like a sense of ease is washing over you, allowing one to see things clearly, peacefully and free from stress and worry. I hope you enjoy the journey of Inner Calm.

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