Young designers to watch

A passion for conservation, animals and indigenous plants was the driving force for Melbourne landscape architect Emmaline Bowman of Stem Landscape Architecture & Design, who took out first prize in the Boutique Gardens category for her Wild at Heart design. In a space measuring just 5x5m, Emmaline created a naturalistic bushland garden containing a rockpool, walkway, productive garden and suspended day bed. “I wanted to showcase a space where people, animals and insects can come together,” she says. Using species that attract birds and insects was crucial; key plants include purple loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria), billy buttons, native bluebells ( Wahlenbergia), native violets ( Viola hederacea) and red box ( Eucalyptus polyanthemus). The rockpool was made from Melbourne basalt and the dreamy day bed was built from recycled hardwood. EMMALINE’S TIPS FOR ATTRACTING BIRDS AND INSECTS 1 Think local Choose plants indigenous to your area. 2 Add colour Blue and purple plants attract butterflies and bees. Some examples are: native bluebells, native violets, blue pratia and purple loosestrife.

3 Create habitats Use logs and rocks to create hiding holes for lizards and frogs to make their homes.