A rare treasure of Melbourne, and former St John’s Boys Home, the brief for this Heritage listed property was to create a garden to complement the grand 1860’s residence. The Clients wanted a botanic style garden, with lush planting in a formal setting, which could also provide a space for events and parties. Botanical Traditions worked closely with lead Landscape Architect Ted Maguire, selecting a traditional planting palette to create a variety of garden rooms. Access to the residence is via a formal driveway, which winds its way alongside the house to the main entrance where is forms a circular drive around a pond. Two formal grand staircases sweep from this level to a number of terraced areas, which are accessible from the house. On the lower level of the garden are sprawling lawns, garden beds and a tennis court. Plantings of Gardenia grandiflora, Osmanthos heterophylla 'Purpurea’ and white flowering roses border the stairs, which are lined with small hedges of Lonicera nitida. The top terraces include lawns, a herb parterre with Victorian style lamp post, and productive gardens interspersed with ornamental plantings. Lending to the traditional style, a variety of European garden statues are placed throughout the gardens. Whimsical statues of a boy fishing, and another of children playing feature on the top lawn and are possibly a nod to the history of the residence. Four more formal statues are placed in front of the arbour on the side of the house, and are lit up at night, creating striking visual interest. Garden lighting is used extensively on the grounds to allow outside entertaining and to highlight points of interest.