Foundry, a non-profit artist collective from Bairnsdale, has captured the spotlight at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show with a captivating balcony garden that seamlessly blends sustainability, innovative design and local artistry.
Designed by CLeed (Callie Whelan Leed), the garden highlights a growing trend in
landscaping design that focuses on eco-conscious practices, resourcefulness and creativity.
The garden won first place in the Balcony Garden category and was loved by the crowd for its detail, innovation and homely feel.
The garden’s design emphasises sustainability with features crafted from salvaged materials, such as a pergola made from Australian cypress timber which was milled by a local farmer, industrial steel screens that are ocuts from an engineering firm and a gorgeous timber wall crafted from decking timber ocuts by Dean Wade from SquaredAway Carpentry. Even the decking was made from recycled plastic milk containers and pine waste by ModWood in Melbourne.
“Through this design, we wanted to showcase how nature and art can coexist, while elevating the space with works that reflect a creative and sustainable lifestyle,” CLeed said.
“The garden embodies resource recovery and highlights the beauty of locally sourced materials.”
The judges loved the inventive use of repurposed rusty metal planters which were repeated throughout the design. In particular, the rippled bark drums from Bairnsdale Scrap Metal were a hit with the crowd, as was the old copper turned into a lampshade.
The garden also introduces eye-catching plant hybrids like the vibrant Mangave, a cross between Agave and Manfreda, known for bold colours and striking forms. Many of these plants were borrowed from local collectors, as they are difficult to find in the larger sizes required to create a great display. The garden was designed around a xeriscape planting, which require no supplementary water, perfectly aligning with the garden’s sustainable ethos.
Beyond its stunning landscaping features, the garden serves as a dynamic outdoor gallery, celebrating the work of local artists.
The Foundry collective has contributed to this immersive experience with a series of sculptures, functional artworks and unique creations, all tied to the theme of sustainability and art made from reclaimed materials.
Artists also activated the space throughout the show with demonstrations of their arts practice which really helped make meaningful connections with the crowd of more than 100,000 people.
This garden would not have been possible without the support of the extensive local community that donated time, money and resources to this project. The generous support of the GoFundMe campaign, the Rotary Sunday Market Foundry Stall on Australia Day as well as the generous contributions of local businesses and individuals should be acknowledged.
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors Modwood and Modaprax for their invaluable support in making this garden a reality. Modaprax’s elegant pergola brackets really framed the beautiful timber and artwork in the design,” Callie said.
All art included in The Artist’s Garden is for sale and can also be viewed on the Foundry website.
