Crux Landscape

06/07/2026

Apologies for the radio silence over the last little while. We have been taking some time away from socials to relocate, set ourselves up and subsequently catch up on workloads!

We will be continuing to service all of Victoria but will be placing a particular focus and the broader goldfields region.

Look forward to sharing some of our landscape adventures around our new home and of course this big wide world of ours!

12/05/2026

As you may have noticed, Botanic Gardens are a happy place for me. They always seem to end up on my to do list when traveling overseas or making my way around this big ol country. Adelaide Botanic Garden has always been (and continues to be) one of my favorites just because it feels like it strikes the right balance between planting and built form, art and design, old and new, detail and expanse, native and exotic. I like spaces that I can lose myself in, turn a corner and discover something and you get that in spades. Be sure to go lose yourself sometime.

04/05/2026

Who would have thought that we have our own li'l Giant's Causeway just off the Calder??! Check out Organ Pipes National Park for some nature as well as some impressive geology!

27/04/2026

Dropped past a project recently that I had some very peripheral involvement in a distant former life - the Victoria Drive Forecourt of Adelaide University. Our role at the time was master planning and the goal at this location was to open up a key access into the campus and reduce the sense of private ownership of what is effectively public (or perhaps civic?) space. While I certainly wouldn't take responsibility for the outcome, its good to see that the designer respecting and evolving the master plan, to make a beautiful space. Some wonderful detailing in particular!

20/04/2026

Outside of our professional role in Garden Design and Landscape Architecture, we spend a bit of time in the same space but working in the Community realm. It was a pleasure to spend a bit of time on the weekend with that hat on, chatting with Djerriwarrh Creek & Bridge Community Incorporated about the excellent work they are doing at Anthonys Cutting.

The heritage listed landmark has faced a lot of challenges in recent history, most substantially with illegal dumping which is a huge issue in the outer suburbs. Amazing accomplishments in a short time for a small group though and its sounds like great progress is being made.

I'd encourage everyone to check them out and/or get involved volunteering with a group in your area. Community isn't something we consume, its something we build together so its always important to put some of your time or money into making things a little more shiny in your neighborhood.

13/04/2026

Birrarung Maar is old news, even the newer Tanderrum Bridge (which I have always been fond of) is now approaching its double digits birthday. I found myself in the area recently though so decided to have a brief wander.

It reminded me that the Doryanthus / Cycad / Eucalypt combo used on the banks remains one of my favorites and also highlighted for me how little time I have spent in speakers corner (the little triangular parkland between Batman Ave, the bridge and the Yarra. The space is easy to miss now, despite its historical significance but unfairly so as it is glorious to be in. Cool and lush on a hot day, isolated and quiet despite the relative chaos that surrounds it.

I guess my takeaway was that you should always return to well trodden paths as there are always things to discover and revelations to be reminded of.

Here endeth the lesson.

05/04/2026

Slightly delayed and slightly off topic but we checked out the Lost Trades Fair the weekend before last at the amazing Hanging Rock. For the uninitiated its a gathering of artists, tradespeople and experts keeping ancient professions or novel techniques alive and just a super interesting event. Was personally stoked to come across a cardboard artist that popped up for me a while back in my design blog - Articles of Interest (https://cruxlandscape.com.au/articles/).

Put next years event into your calendar!

30/03/2026

Another year, another Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show! Sadly another grey day for me for Garden Designer Xmas but still some fantastic offerings. As usual I am breaking my 5 photo limit as too much good stuff to cull!

22/03/2026

Very overdue but went and checked out the new City Square & Town Hall Station and was more impressed than I expected to be based on coverage to date. While both the square and the station have some bones to grow into, there is some beautiful detailing outside and it's refreshing to see native planting in the heart of the urban centre. I was getting London vibes from the station itself but what was remarkable to me that the space felt more like a ballroom that a station - quiet and clean in contrast to our usual station experience in Melbourne!

16/03/2026

Felt very lucky on the weekend to have checked out the opening of Artrise on Jacksons Hill in Sunbury. Artrise is a remarkable project by Hume City Council which redefines a former asylum built in the early 20th century into studio and event space for artists and community groups.

Some beautiful design interventions as part of the redevelopment that are highly sympathetic to the heritage architecture but is not afraid to be playful at the same time. For me though, the re-interpretation of space and adaptive reuse is the big winner. This project is sure to win awards and will be a remarkable place for creatives. If you have artistic friends in the area then get them on it - very reasonable pricing for studio space!

08/03/2026

Going back in time a little and showing you a park that I checked out some time ago - Romsey Ecotherapy Park! Stunning spot which just about every kind of space, detail and artwork a mere mortal could think of. Very much recommend that any fellow LA's check it out and a great excuse for a day trip either way!

01/03/2026

We dropped past the recently completed first stage of the Greenline for a peek last week and its pretty clear why they started there - some of the best views of the city in our opinion.

Bit of a bummer that the temporary fences had gone up ahead of Moomba but it didn't stop us getting mildly obsessed with the play of shadows on the decking and the refreshing planting design!

22/02/2026

We found ourselves in Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens recently in , and what a spot! Kind of unusual for a botanic garden in that its perched on the summit of a whacking great hill (well, volcano if you want to be technical), but it still manages to feel enclosed and lush. Still get some cracking views though from the tower though!

08/02/2026

In contrast to the Garden of St Erth, we had ourselves a bit of a wander through nature while in Blackwood via the adjacent Whipstick Trail. Was very satisfied to find a bunch of native wildflowers putting on a show as well, particularly so for finding a Brunonia chilling out on a ledge taking in the day!

01/02/2026

Great to be back at Garden of St Erth during summer with the border in full bloom!

Always a pleasure, thanks The Diggers Club!

25/01/2026

We took the time to revisit Mount Lofty Botanic Garden for the first time in many years while in SA. It's always been a special place for us, wetter (and steeper!) than many bot gardens out there and known for putting a particularly good show in the autumn months. It still was looking amazing in summer though, with some great species combo's really popping in particular. We were particularly lucky to have a Wedge Tailed Eagle doing the rounds, while being photo bombed by the moon. :)

18/01/2026

We've had ourselves a bit of a delayed break, hopped over to SA for a few days and checked out the Victor Harbor town centre while there. It's an older project now but thanks to some great design, its still feeling fresh and presenting very well!

04/01/2026

Happy New Year everyone! Though we would share a brief day trip for you from just before xmas - Mount Tarrengower which overlooks the gorgeous town of Maldon. Full disclosure, we didn't make the top, only halfway. Being closer to the ground surrounded by Strawflowers is much more our happy place!

28/12/2025

Was in Bulleen a few weeks back to chat to some lovely folks about their back yard so dropped into one of the fave places, Heide Museum of Modern Art to have a look at their super interesting, new (but not really that new) Healing Garden. Needless to say we took the time to wander round the Sculpture Garden too and revisit what is probably the best pergola of all time. Way too many photos to distill so make sure you head out there and check it out while everything is still blooming!

14/12/2025

We dropped in on a recent front garden project and very happy to see all this unseasonable rain we are having doing great things for establishment. Less than 6 months old and its looking like its got a year under its belt!

08/12/2025

Was in the area recently so dropped by Euroa Arboretum Inc for a look around and did we time it well! The paper daisies were in full force creating some beautiful meadowlike spaces between the wetlands. Needless to say we took a few home from their nursery!

30/11/2025

Was showing some friends around Docklands recently and came across a really cleverly designed playground / public sculpture that I am quite fond of. For me it ticks all the boxes: bespoke design, engaging for kids and integrated into its context. I've never seen any kids there though which can be a key indicator for failure... What say you? Have you been there? Is it a hit with the kids?

25/11/2025

We are finally wrapping up our tour for you but going out on a bang with the remarkable The Minack Theatre! An open air theatre built into the Cornish cliffs as a ruin, which started being built almost a centuary ago and hosts a variety of plays, old and new but making itself available for small troupes from all over the country. We caught a disco version of a Midsummer Night's Dream!

19/11/2025

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16/11/2025

We're quite the fan of Land Art so it seemed apt to have discovered Kerdroya on one of the last days we were in Cornwall. A beautiful project which takes a traditional labyrinth (not maze! - mazes are about escape, labyrinths are about the journey!) and overlays it with a uniquely Cornish identity in a beautiful setting. It's still a work in progress too so if you want to be a part of it you can donate to get yourself a yard of hedge!

09/11/2025

There is something very English about castles... so seemed appropriate to track one down for a wander around. This one (Restormel Castle) goes back to the Norman Invasion - the 1100's for those playing along at home. While its seen better days, it's more solid than not!

26/10/2025

I've always been quite affected by Moor landscapes in the UK. There is something hugely dramatic about these bleak, windswept landscapes that are only broken by the hugely sculptural Tors that feel like they have been placed by hands....

22/10/2025

We were in SA for a time recently and went back to State Flora Nurseries for the first time in probably 15 years. Shoutout to these fine folks for keeping it real all this time with Australian Natives. Great setup and great setting nestled in !

20/10/2025

Thought we would share a few quick snaps of - our home base while on the adventure. Kicking myself that all our snaps are of green things rather than the gorgeous town itself....but such is the life of the landscape architect...

15/10/2025

We ducked into an historic estate while in the UK being Lanhydrock National Trust. An amazing home and expansive grounds with a very interesting history. We were there for the gardens of course but got to give a nod to the architecture and interiors which were mind blowing!

12/10/2025

We thought a respite from the south west of the UK is in order and since we were in the area, we dropped past Northcote Aquatic & Recreation Centre for a quick look around. As landscape nerds, we stayed on the outside and kept our feet dry but it was great to see a native forward treatment used and looking so great at this time of year!

05/10/2025

Next stop in our Cornwall tour - The Lost Gardens of Heligan! A historic garden that dates back to the 16th Century, the site was left to become overrun however was restored in the 90's to their former glory. Now, they form an amazing, diverse landscape filled with a series of gardens each with a different focus from habitat to production and everything in between!

16/09/2025

As you are probably now well aware, we love ourselves a nursery so it seemed appropriate while on our trip to check out the local offerings and Duchy of Cornwall Nursery certainly did not disappoint! Great spot, great range, superb cafe, awesome shop and some brilliant display gardens that the bumblebees were appreciating as much as we were!

01/09/2025

Have always been a bit of a forest kid, particularly wet forests so Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve, Natural England really felt like a bit like home as soon as we stepped into the place!

25/08/2025

Our last post from Eden Project (we promise!) but its a cracker. A ceramic artwork by Studio Swine called Infinity Blue which is about cyanobacteria which were the first organisms to develop photosynthesis.

Mainly though it is just a very cool, very interactive artwork that you cannot help be impressed by!

20/08/2025

Can't talk about Eden Project without talking about plants (there is a lot of them!). They have leaned into the botanic garden ideal in that plants have been often been grouped to their region (the Cornish Native Landscape was particular interesting to me) but its not a hard and fast rule, with many areas being planted in a mix.

Of particular interest for nerds out there is that it is perpetually changing, not only due to season but constant redesign and replanting works. I first went to Eden around 20 years ago and it was a very different planting scheme back then but was still stunning - even by winter!. Absolute honor to be there in the summer this time though with everything popping!

17/08/2025

A bit more Eden Project project for you, and this time its about detail.

There is a wonderful overlay across the whole site of art and landscape features - it very much feels like every dark corner or underutilised space has been seen as an opportunity and it creates a real sense of richness within the landscape.

Sometimes the detail is traditional, sometimes it is contemporary, often its a clever mix of the two (see column feature which for those playing at home is a drilling core showing the china clay strata the area is known for).

Regardless, it should be seen as a lesson for every LA out there, to seek out every opportunity for some clever design!

13/08/2025

One of the really interesting bits for me about Eden Project is how much attention has been given to the creation of sub spaces around the site. While the focus is always going to be on the domes, there is such a huge diversity of spaces, each with different identities, that its still relatively easy to find quiet little areas for different experiences - even on very busy days.

Lovely place to get lost in!

12/08/2025

Aaaand were back!
Apologies for the prolonged silence, we have been off gallivanting around Cornwall in the UK but the good news is that you get to see some of our landscape discoveries.

And we are starting things off with a bit of an LA playground - The Eden Project! Eden is a botanic garden (and NFP) built within an old China Clay quarry with a multitude of different spaces, species and artworks. It is centred around two sets of domes, inside which are simulated rainforest and Mediterranean environments. While the latter may not be all that strange for us in Aus, it is still a remarkable undertaking.

Given the size of the site we will be showing a few more snippets of Eden over the coming week so stay tuned!

07/07/2025

Our next blog post is up! And if you have always been confused about the differences between a Landscape Architect, a Garden Designer and a Landscaper, well then we got you!

https://cruxlandscape.com.au/landscape-architect-vs-garden-designer-vs-landscaper/

We thought we would address a bit a of confusing subject in this blog post and try and shed some light on the differences between Landscape Architect, Garden Designer and Landscaper.