Graduate Showcase: Emily Rubira at Parliament House for NGIV

Emily Rubira’s Victorian Horticulture Showcase Garden at Parliament House, created for NGIV.

When LCGD Melbourne graduate Emily Rubira of Rubira by Design was commissioned by the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) to create the Victorian Horticulture Showcase Garden at Parliament House, it marked a defining moment in her career and a celebration of Victorian-grown plants at one of the state’s most iconic venues.

Set within the historic Queen’s Hall, Emily’s design blended the structure and elegance of Mediterranean gardens with the bold, expressive character of contemporary Australian landscapes. The result was a composition that celebrated the colour, diversity, and vibrancy of Victoria’s horticultural industry.

The project brought together some of Victoria’s leading growers — Plant Growers Australia, Kuranga Native Nursery, Warners Nurseries, Speciality Trees, Drewitts Bulbs, Oasis Horticulture, and Lilydale Instant Lawn — each contributing plants that formed the backbone of the garden’s rich tapestry.

This commission followed an exceptional year for Emily, who also won the Award of Excellence and a Gold Medal in the Achievable Gardens at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, alongside fellow LCGD graduate Zoe Rush.

Emily’s success reflects the calibre, creativity and professionalism of LCGD’s graduates and their growing influence in shaping the future of garden design across Australia.