MIFGS 2026: A Defining Month for LCGD
The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is always a highlight of the design calendar.
But this year felt different.
Across every category, LCGD students, graduates and lecturers showed up with a level of clarity, confidence and resolution that continues to define the College. From small-space Border Gardens through to Achievable and Boutique Gardens, the work on display wasn’t just impressive. It was considered, personal, and deeply connected to how we design today.
We’ve captured the month in full.
Border Gardens: A Standout Year
This year’s LCGD Border Garden Competition reached a new level, with the addition of sponsor Yates and an exceptional calibre of entries.
1st Place - Tsuchikabe by Hayato Shimomura
A winning garden that bridges two landscapes.
Using Australia’s red soil to reinterpret a traditional Japanese earthen wall, Tsuchikabe creates a layered, immersive space that invites a new way of seeing both cultures.
A clear and confident concept, beautifully resolved.
→ Read more about Tsuchikabe
2nd Place - Look Within by Amy Fisher
A garden with a deeply personal story.
Look Within explores reflection, resilience and the power of turning inward. Through colour, light and layered planting, Amy creates a kaleidoscopic experience where contrast and harmony exist side by side.
At its centre, a doorway. A symbol of choice, possibility and what lies beyond.
3rd Place - Your Asian Veggie Patch by Connie Cao
A celebration of culture, connection and productivity.
With more than 30 edible plants in a 2.4m x 2.4m space, this permaculture-led design layers food, fragrance and function with a richness that feels both generous and grounded.
A garden that makes you rethink what’s possible in a small space.
The Land Before Time - Tessa Allely, LCGD Student
Also selected for this year’s Border Garden Competition, The Land Before Time explores a rich palette of colour, texture and form.
Stone elements and layered planting create an immersive experience, offering depth and movement within a compact footprint.
A thoughtful concept that added to the strength and diversity of this year’s Border Gardens.
Achievable Gardens: A Standout Student Moment
Before she’s even graduated, LCGD student Ebony Cetinich has taken out Gold Medal and Best Use of Plants.
Sunset over Salt Lake - Ebony Cetinich, LCGD student
A garden that stood out for its clarity, confidence and planting.
As Ebony shared:
“This garden has been a labour of love… shaped by long days, big risks, and a lot of trust in an idea that felt a little different.”
Her approach challenged expectations, showcasing the beauty of plants often overlooked, and proving just how powerful a well-resolved planting palette can be.
An extraordinary result, and a glimpse of what’s to come.
→ Read more about Sunset over Salt Lake
Boutique Gardens: Graduate Success Continues
Native Whispers - Emily Rubira, LCGD Graduate
LCGD graduate Emily Rubira of Rubira by Design was awarded Second Place with Native Whispers.
Blending cottage-garden charm with ecological intent, the garden celebrates pollinators through resilient native planting. A recycled-material greenhouse sits at its centre, inviting visitors to pause, nurture and reconnect.
A calm, immersive space that encourages you to slow down.
→ Read more about Native Whispers
Emerging Talent & Opportunities Realised
Solara - Rachael Saulle, LCGD Graduate
As the recipient of the Open Gardens Victoria Student and Emerging Designers Grant, Rachael Saulle delivered a garden shaped around how we want to feel in a space.
Water-wise planting, a blend of Australian natives and Mediterranean species, and a beautifully resolved layout created a space that feels both resilient and generous.
A considered and confident outcome.
→ Read more about Solara
Oasis on the Sky - Manh Ninh, LCGD Student
A balcony garden designed to feel open, restorative and connected to nature.
Through negative space, airy planting and a carefully considered structure, the design creates a sense of lightness and calm, proving that even the smallest spaces can feel expansive.
Industry Recognition
We were also proud to see guest lecturer and long-time friend of the College Andrew Smith of Warners Nursery awarded Spirit of the Show.
A meaningful moment, particularly following Brent Reid receiving the same honour last year, and a reflection of the calibre of people connected to the College.
A Month That Reflects the College
From students to graduates to lecturers, the presence of LCGD at MIFGS continues to grow.
Not just in numbers, but in the quality, confidence and clarity of the work.
→ Explore the full gallery and project highlights
