Phillip Johnson and his team have recreated the award winning Chelsea Garden Show ‘The Australian garden’. The Chelsea Australian garden is located at Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. Driven by his passion to connect with nature, Phillip has built a garden that uplifts the spirit. It presents an opportunity to heal the earth and soul.

In 2013, Phillip Johnson, Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders won the Chelsea Flower Show Gold Award and Best in Show. A decade on, we can see the Australian garden in situ, over 20 times bigger!

Creation of a new Australian garden

The garden is a stunning celebration of the Australian landscape. A billabong and waterfall, meandering paths, thousands of native plants and a waratah sculpture connect the garden with nature.

One hundred metre high Mountain Ash trees (Eucalyptus regnans) surround the garden built on an old golf course. The garden showcases sustainable and water-wise design. Operating off-grid, using recycled materials and collecting surrounding storm water, it is a model for the future.

The design and build was a labour of love. The team worked through Covid, confronted rain, fog and cold, and operated within tight deadlines to deliver.

Artistic placement of rocks form the foundation of the billabong, waterfall, stepping stones, walkways and seating. Beautiful textures, patterns and colours abound in the reclaimed rocks.

Indigenous and native planting to connect with nature

Over 15,000 plants from across Australia are now in place and blooming, including rare and endangered species. Wollemi pines (Wollemia nobilis), grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea glauca) and Bottletrees (Brachychiton rupestris) provide structure. Waratahs, Kangaroo paws, Billy buttons, Trigger plants, Emu bushes, boronias, wattles and grevilleas create mid and lower layers. The masses of foliage, colour and texture are a perfect habitat for birds, butterflies, reptiles and insects.

The re-imagined waratah sculpture is constructed of Corten steel. It creates an anchor in the landscape and reminds us of the beauty of our indigenous species.

A labour of love

The garden is a testament to the generosity and hard work of Phillip and his team. The garden has just been awarded the World Urban Parks Award for the most Outstanding New Park 2024.

Many people and groups contributed. Funding came from Parks Victoria, the Federal Government, People & Parks Foundation. Diana Snape and husband Brian provided seed funding. Further funding is needed to support maintenance of the garden and to turn on additional features. Please consider contributing through People & Parks Foundation.

Kuranga Native Nursery, Karwarra Native Australian Botanic Garden, and the Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan, among others, provided plants and advice.

This garden is truly an inspiration of native garden design – delivering a healing dose of nature to all who visit.