Emerging Designers Unveil Water-Wise Garden at the 2026 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Published on 23 March 2026
The installation demonstrates how Melbourne households can create beautiful, thriving gardens that use significantly less water - an increasingly important approach as Melbourne experiences hotter, drier conditions over summer, making water‑wise habits more essential than ever.
Showcasing gardens designed for a changing climate
The collaboration is part of Yarra Valley Water’s commitment to empowering customers and communities to implement water-saving strategies in the garden that can be adopted at home.
Tiffany White, Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager Strategy and Community, said the partnership highlights both innovation and practicality.
“This garden shows what’s possible in a climate where making every drop count is important. It demonstrates simple, easy-to-implement ideas that households can adopt immediately, from plant selection to layout and watering techniques,” Ms White said.
Designed for resilience, made for the everyday gardener
The student-designed garden features:
- Rainwater capture techniques, and water-saving strategies
- A climate-resilient plant palette including native and hardy exotic species.
- Mulching, groundcovers and water-efficient design elements.
- Low-water irrigation concepts.
- A layout that promotes strong root systems and reduced evaporation.
Melbourne Polytechnic horticulture student, Lauren Kish, said the project was an opportunity to combine creativity with environmental purpose.
“Our goal was to prove that climate-resilient gardens can be beautiful, functional and accessible,” they said. “We designed this space so visitors could walk away with ideas they can use at home.”
Supporting future horticulture leaders
The partnership provides practical, real-world experience for design students, aligning environmental education with Yarra Valley Water’s mission to promote long-term water security for their customers.
“Investing in the next generation of designers helps shape the future of urban landscapes,” Ms White said. “These students are leading the way in demonstrating how gardens can thrive while using far less water.”
Event details
Dates: 25–29 March 2026
Location: Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens
Garden Stand: Site B61 in the Outdoor Show Garden Precinct, adjacent to the main fountain.