The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show has officially wrapped for 2025, and it's safe to say this year was one for the history books. More than 115,000 visitors poured through the gates over five days, making it the most-attended event in more than two decades.
Held across the iconic Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the Show was a spectacular showcase of garden design, floral artistry and innovation, brought to life by over 1,850 businesses from across the country. With more than 150,000 plants on display, it was a vibrant celebration of nature, creativity and community. At its core, this year's Show celebrated more than just garden design – it championed the connection between green spaces and wellbeing. Mental health and wellness were key themes woven throughout the program, from tranquil sensory gardens and meditative installations to nature-based education for children.
The Show's focus on gardening as a form of "dirt therapy" resonated strongly with visitors and designers alike. New research released as part of the event revealed that over 60% of Australians experience less anxiety and improved mood when gardening, while nearly half report feeling less stressed and significantly happier after time spent in the garden.
At the heart of the Show were the world-class Show Gardens, which this year carried a combined retail value of over $2 million. The highly anticipated awards saw Rob Cooper of Distinctive Gardens take out the prestigious City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show with his garden 'ə'skāp' – a striking modern space layered with native textures, structural plantings and a strong sense of calm.
'ə'skāp' was also recognised with the Horticultural Media Association Award for Best Use of Plant Life, with judges praising its thoughtful balance of sculptural form and soft, immersive greenery. With a vine-covered pavilion, natural stone seating and generous use of ornamental grasses, the garden invited visitors to pause, reflect and reconnect with the natural world.
Trent Cornish, Director of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, said this year's event had set a new benchmark: "The creativity and passion on display this year has been phenomenal. From the grandeur of our Show Gardens to intimate balcony and border designs, and from traditional floral craftsmanship to bold new expressions – the Show has truly captured the energy and imagination of our garden-loving public," he said.
Tulips proved the most popular bloom of the season, followed closely by native Australian flowers, as more than 5,000 stems made their way home with showgoers. Meanwhile, several feature plants showcased at the event, including the standout Sanguis Sorba, are now experiencing waitlists of up to eight months – a testament to the growing interest in diverse and statement-making plant choices.
Sustainability also remained central to the Show's mission. More than 600 cubic metres of organic waste were diverted from landfill during the event, thanks to a long-standing partnership with Bio-Gro. Since the collaboration began over five years ago, more than 3,000 cubic metres of green waste have been repurposed into compost and other eco-friendly garden products.
A record 18 emerging designers took part in the Border Garden competition, reflecting the Show's growing commitment to nurturing the next generation of garden and floral designers. Education remained a core pillar of the program, with more than 14,000 school children attending to explore sustainability, horticulture and biodiversity.
New additions to the Show this year proved hugely popular, with the debut of the Bloom Room - a bold, immersive space featuring interactive floral installations - and Floral Fridays, which invited guests to express themselves through wearable flowers, DIY bouquets and creative floral styling. These activations added a fun, fresh dimension to the traditional garden show format and were a hit across all ages. Beyond Rob Cooper's award-winning garden, other standout highlights included Paul Pritchard's nostalgic, mid-century-inspired garden Nostalgia in partnership with Dementia Australia, which received the Mark Bence Construction Award for its heartfelt tribute to memory, care and connection. Christian Jenkins returned with Yutori, a serene Japanese-inspired landscape designed to embody calm, reflection and the art of slowing down. Featuring a sauna, ice bath and natural materials, the garden was a striking reminder of the role green spaces play in emotional and physical wellbeing.
Ben Hutchinson's Between Moments offered a similarly tranquil experience, anchored by a natural rock pool and soft planting that invited pause and presence. Matt York's In Ratio with Africa explored cross-cultural garden traditions, resilience and resourceful design, while popular favourites Brent Reid and Jason Hodges returned with their respective creations ODE and Doable, delivering accessible, practical and deeply personal takes on modern Australian gardening. In the Floral Design Competition, Lynne Dallas Flower Design was awarded Best in Floral Design for her stunning display, which blended classic floral elegance with modern artistry – a clear crowd favourite in the Great Hall of Flowers.
From small-space planting to large-scale landscapes, the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show proved that beauty, sustainability and innovation can thrive in every corner of the garden.
