Inspiring Landscapers and Designers
from the
Australian Landscaping Conference 2025
The Australian Landscaping Conference 2025 has been an incredible experience—full of inspiration, fresh ideas, and a chance to listen to some of the most exciting names in landscape design. Naomi & I have come away brimming with new concepts and perspectives, and I wanted to share some of the standout designers and thinkers who really made an impact on us. If you’re passionate about gardens, landscapes, and the intersection of nature and design, these are the people to follow!
Photo credit: Magnetic Shots
David Godshall – Terremoto
“What if the purpose of a garden is to maximise the spiritual and physical flourishing of all creatures that pass through it, humans and others?” David Godshall
David and his team at Terremoto based in California are doing something truly special in the world of landscape architecture. Their work is wild, unexpected, and deeply connected to the land. They push the boundaries of what a garden can be—embracing imperfection, regeneration, and storytelling in their designs. If you love a more organic, rebellious approach to landscaping, you need to follow them! Think of ‘Weeds as Graffiti’
His principles—no irrigation, no artificial turf, minimal concrete, no weed mat, no pesticides or herbicides, and fair wages for gardeners—resonated deeply with me and align with the values we aim to uphold at Sculpt Gardens.
Jonny Bruce – Gardener & Writer
Jonny, a British gardener, was the recent head gardener at Prospect Cottage—a striking garden on a shingle beach near Dungeness Power Station. When I first visited 15 years ago, it completely reshaped my view of what a garden could be. With no lawns, fences, or traditional garden beds, it was a testament to the beauty and resilience of coastal plants.
Now, Jonny is creating ‘The Field,’ a small organic nursery that champions biodiversity and sustainable horticulture. He spoke passionately about how supermarket-driven plant sales in the UK are limiting plant diversity, leading to a decline in biodiversity.
This resonates deeply with what’s happening in New Zealand, where stores like Bunnings and Mitre10 dictate plant availability, and local nurseries are disappearing, especially near Auckland.
Jonny’s message was clear: support local nurseries and embrace plant diversity in garden designs. Gardens are vital stepping stones for biodiversity, offering habitats for insects, birds, and soil life. The more variety we plant, the more vibrant and full of life our gardens become!
Steve Martino – Master of Desert Landscapes
Steve is a legend in designing for tough climates. Based in Arizona, his approach to arid landscapes is both artistic and practical—blending bold structures, dramatic plantings, and smart water-wise solutions.
He believes true garden livability comes from the balance of privacy, art, and shade. His innovative use of walls and screens to create intimate outdoor spaces was inspiring, offering clever design ideas that we will definitely be bringing into our clients gardens in Auckland.
Photo credit: Magnetic Shots
Landon Bannister – Dark Sky Advocate
Landon’s talk on light pollution was a real eye-opener. It’s something we don’t often think about in garden design, but reducing artificial light is crucial for wildlife, plant health, and our own human well-being.
His work with the Dark Sky Alliance is all about designing landscapes that respect and embrace the night—with some easy to implement ideas such as using covered down lights, lower warmer tones of light and only lighting those areas where people commonly move through, ideas I’ll definitely be incorporating into future projects!
Jac Semmler – The Queen of Plants
Jac’s passion for plants and their ability to foster community connection was truly infectious. Her temporary installations introduce the beauty of plants—texture, movement, and colour—to those who may not have experienced their transformative power.
We visited a small yet captivating garden tucked beside a car park in central Melbourne. It was incredible to watch people engage with the space—pointing out favourite plants, running their hands through the grasses, and becoming engrossed by the beauty of the planting in such an unlikely setting.
Feeling Inspired?
I’ve come away from this conference with a renewed excitement for garden design—especially when it comes to biodiversity, using a greater selection of plants within the garden working with nature rather than against it. These designers are leading the way in creating landscapes that are not only beautiful but deeply thoughtful and sustainable.
If you’re dreaming of transforming your own garden and want to work with a team that brings these kinds of ideas to life, let’s chat! Book a consultation with us and let’s create something special together. 🌿✨
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35 Walter Street
Hauraki, Auckland
hello@sculptgardens.co.nz
Phone 021 549 161