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Monday 9am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm Thursday 9am - 5:30pm Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Ian Barker Gardens

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Boroondara, VIC
Ian Barker Gardens

Ian Barker Gardens is an award-winning landscape design, construction and maintenance service.

09/06/2026

Before and after - when thoughtful landscape design meets a small, narrow challenge.

Our South Melbourne Retreat is the definition of a transformation. The canvas was entirely clear - nothing worth keeping beyond a tired lawn and a brick entry path. This garden started from nothing, and became everything.

Burnished concrete steppers lead the way, connecting to a planting bowl featuring succulents and Dichondra 'Silver Falls'. Moving into the rear garden, a steel pergola enlarges the space with height and texture, with Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) climbing as a striking focal point. A long rectangular bench seat anchors the space, with Carpinus betulus pleached hedge running parallel to the boundary timber batten fence.

A simple design - but a deeply impactful one.

Discover the full project: https://bit.ly/49FkVSZ

03/06/2026

A dream sanctuary in the making, right in the heart of Toorak.

A new courtyard is taking shape, designed around the art of outdoor living. Distinct entertaining zones flow effortlessly through the space: a structural steel pergola overhead, a bespoke BBQ bench for effortless hosting, and a curved timber bench seat anchoring a cosy, sheltered lounge.

Connecting it all - lush, considered planting that brings the design to life. A soft and colourful palette of Buxus spheres and Ophiopogon japonicus weaves colour, texture, and botanical tradition throughout, grounding the architecture in the landscape.

28/05/2026

Autumn doesn't mark the end of a garden - it's often its finest hour.

Our Hawthorn Star project is exactly that; it doesn't fade in the cooler months - it comes alive. The deep blues and greys of the bluestone paving anchor the space, while the trees shift into something warmer and richer. There's a moment where it all comes together and ignites. Not a lesser garden - just a different story, and arguably its most beautiful one.

As the golden tones of the Acer 'Norwegian Sunset' and the mature Ulmus glabra 'Lutescens' emerge, the landscape warms and deepens into something extraordinary - alive in a way that stops you in your tracks.

26/05/2026

A glimpse into a new classic Georgian-style home, brought to life by an extraordinary garden design.

Paved steppers guide you through each carefully considered section - past sweeping, large-scale lawns framed by structured hedging that creates a true sense of seclusion and privacy.

At the heart of the front garden, a grand fountain commands attention. Surrounded by lush, layered planting, it draws the eye immediately while filling the entrance with a sense of calm - the perfect entrance to a home.

21/05/2026

The brief for our Kew Sanctuary was clear - modernise the garden without losing the character of the heritage home. Maximise privacy. Keep it functional. And above all, don't overcomplicate the space.

Large-format sawn bluestone paving grounds the space. A clean steel pergola frames the outdoor entertaining area without overpowering it. A long BBQ bench gives the space purpose - somewhere to gather, cook, and stay.

The existing Ficus hillii hedge was retained along the boundary, preserving the garden's privacy and maturity. A striking Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' was introduced to add height, texture, and seasonal interest - bridging the home's heritage character with the clean lines of the new design.

A space that works beautifully for the people who live in it - and will continue to do so for decades to come.

See the full project: https://bit.ly/3QD2hUX

18/05/2026

Ajuga reptans (Bungleweed) is a low-growing, evergreen plant, and is an absolute showstopper when its vivid purple and blue flower spikes emerge. Another one of our favourite groundcovers for adding colour, texture, and year-round interest to any garden.

Uses 🌳
Ajuga reptans is most at home beneath trees where other plants struggle, softening garden bed borders and pairing beautifully with contrasting plant palettes. It works exceptionally well through paved or concrete steppers, creating a lush, living layer between hard surfaces. But where it truly shines is in dappled shade - filling in those tricky spots that are often the hardest to design around, while adding a carpet of rich colour that ties the whole garden together.

Planting 🌤️
Adaptable to full sun through to full shade, though partial shade brings out the most vibrant and striking foliage. Plant in well-draining soil to keep the roots healthy and happy, and space 25-35cm apart when planting. Water regularly in the early stages - giving it the best possible start is what sets it up for long-term success.

Maintenance & Care ⚒️
Once established, Ajuga reptans becomes moderately drought-tolerant - making it the perfect low-maintenance option. Hardy, pest-resistant, and remarkably resilient, it asks very little once it finds its feet. The kind of plant that rewards you season after season without demanding constant attention.

14/05/2026

At our Canterbury Violet, the bones were always there - a pool, a deck, a path, and an entrance. Good individually. But as a whole? Nothing connected. Nothing invited our clients outside of their home.

When starting over, we brought intention to the existing layout while using materials that enhanced the heritage home's architecture, which is evident in the before-and-after transition.

Granite paving with filetti infills now flows seamlessly through the space, leading you to the rear of the home. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) frames the path, bringing texture and seasonal colour. The pergola-covered deck creates a place to settle in and enjoy the space. With considered lighting, the garden comes alive long after sunset.

Every element finally speaks to the next. The result is a garden that doesn't just look different - it feels different.

Discover the full project: https://bit.ly/4cS5wiO

11/05/2026

A sneak peek into our latest Surrey Hills design. Nestled in the heart of the garden, surrounded by lush, layered planting, this pool sits with purpose. Designed to connect the basketball court at the top of the slope to the relaxed seating area below, it transforms what was once a disconnected middle space into the ultimate centrepiece.

Now? This garden works as one seamless, multi-functional entertaining space - ready for everything from active afternoons to after-hours gatherings.

06/05/2026

A truly considered garden doesn't peak in spring and disappear by autumn. It evolves - shifting through the seasons with the same grace and beauty it was designed to carry all year round.

This corner of our Deepdene Forest is a perfect example of that philosophy in practice.

As summer fades, the Lagerstroemia indica (Crepe Myrtle) foliage transforms from a dense, lush green colour into warm golden tones - becoming one of the garden's most striking focal points in the cooler months. Alongside it, the Malus ioensis 'Plena' (Bechtel's Crab Apple) echoes that seasonal shift, its yellowing foliage adding layers of depth and softness to the overall composition.

Every plant in our design is selected not just for how it performs today, but for how it contributes to the garden across every season. Autumn and winter are not gaps in the design - they are part of it.

This is what separates a beautiful garden from a truly exceptional one.

Discover the full project: https://bit.ly/4w5yCE8

03/05/2026

Autumn's showstopper - the Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple). This is one of the most popular small trees, prized for its beautiful sculptural structure and even more stunning seasonal foliage.

Uses 🌿
The Japanese Maple's elegant form and ever-changing foliage make it a natural focal point in any garden. You can see it used exactly this way in our Malvern Entertainer display, where it anchors the front garden with effortless drama and adds cohesion to the home's architecture.

Planting 🌤️
This tree thrives in partially shaded positions protected from strong winds and harsh afternoon sun. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to a similar depth to maximise growth.

Maintenance & Care ⚒️
Acer palmatum requires consistent moisture, particularly through the warmer summer months. These trees like moisture - ensure to water in dry periods. Pruning should be light and selective - avoid heavy cutting, as it disrupts the tree's naturally stunning form. Japanese maples typically grow between 3 and 7.5m in height.

Address

216 Canterbury Road
Boroondara, VIC
3126

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+61398363130

Website

http://www.ianbarkergardens.com.au/

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