Looking after Laak Boorndap - Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation Project
Members Dig Deeper Webinar SeriesAbout this experience
A green urban oasis surrounded by concrete, hemmed in on two sides by a bustling public square and the city’s major rail network, Fed Square’s Test Garden is much more than it seems.
This is a place of experimentation and learning, giving visitors a taste of the naturalistic planting style planned for Laak Boorndap – the new urban garden and public space being built as part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.
Laak Boorndap will be the first garden of its type and scale to be planted in the Southern Hemisphere – a visionary project that brings the most up-to-date design, research and practical horticultural knowledges together.
As a window into what is to come, the Test Garden incorporates both natives and introduced species. The dense, multi-layered planting design thrives and flowers at different times throughout the year, creating a beautiful, ever-changing experience for visitors.
The garden is open to everyone all year round – and we regularly invite horticulturists, ecologists, landscape designers and artists to share insights or host workshops, bringing to life the hidden stories of plants.
Natalie Simmons is the primary custodian of the Test Garden and shares her insights on caring for small piece of paradise in a busy city.
Your Host
Natalie Simmons is the Horticulturist at the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co). Her previous gardening experience includes time at Melbourne Grammar School, Heide MoMA, Jerusalem Botanical Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. With a love of naturalistic planting design, Natalie is all about creating landscapes that feel immersive, beautiful, and inspired by nature.
As the Horticulturist, Natalie looks after gardens and green spaces at Fed Square including the Test Garden, as well as helping to deliver garden-focused programs and interpretation for the public.
