Do you get overwhelmed with choosing indigenous plants? Not sure how many to buy, what pairs well together, or how to strike a balance between natural beauty and a tidy look? Join us for a one-hour Master Class where you’ll learn how to design an indigenous garden that’s low-maintenance, visually impactful, and budget-conscious. Taken by Michael Benham, the session will include -
- Placemaking & First Principles - Learn how to assess your site and understand its broader context within the landscape. As well as exploring how to match your garden dreams with practical and achievable outcomes.
- Ecological Design Thinking - Discover how to integrate existing views, hide eyesores, enhance street appeal, and work with light, shade, and natural materials.
- Garden Infrastructure & Lawn Alternatives - Tips on designing functional elements like paths, utility zones, and alternatives to traditional lawns.
- Habitat & Biodiversity - Understand the ecological roles of your garden—how to support birds, beneficial insects, reptiles, and amphibians through thoughtful design.
- Plant Selection - Guidance on choosing the right mix of foliage, flowers, Mallee eucalypts, native grasses, and protective/thorny species.
- Debunking the Myths - Separate fact from fiction when it comes to indigenous gardening.
This session is part of a three part series called “Nurturing Indigenous Gardens”. Other topics include ‘Beyond plants - what else to include’ and ‘Maintaining Indigenous Gardens – Pruning, Trimming, Watering, and Nourishing’. Book the Series Package for discount. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.
Sessions are recorded and made available for two weeks after the session airs. You will be sent a link and password to access the recording.
You will learn
- How tomake indigenous gardens beautiful and the envy of your street
You will get
- Free access to recording for 2 weeks
Appropriate for
Gardeners who want to learn more about ecological informed design
What to bring
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What to wear
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Hello, I’m Michael Benham—a qualified horticulturist from the Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-Operative (VINC). I have nearly a decade of experience across a range of botanical roles, including garden design and construction, bush regeneration, urban farming, and community-based environmental initiatives. While I’m most passionate about Australian native plants, I also maintain professional interests in ecological sciences, science communication, and the creative expression of the Australian landscape.
Organized by
Sustainable Gardening Australia
Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) is a not-for-profit non-government organiation dedicated to achieving a healthy biodiverse planet.
Its driving purpose is to:
- Encourage, educate and enable home and professional gardeners to adopt sustainable gardening practices to protect or enhance the natural environment;
- Provide information, education and undertake research about the natural environment;
- Reconnect people to the natural world through gardening; and
- Ensure an understanding of the impacts that gardening decisions about chemical and resource use have on the natural environment well beyond their neighbourhood.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
Terms & Conditions
SGA’s Booking Conditions
- Bookings are considered final once payment is made and no refunds will be given for non-attendance.
- If there are insufficient numbers for an event it may be cancelled or postponed by SGA. If this is the case, you will be notified and given the option of either a full refund or a transfer to a different SGA event of equivalent value.
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time for registration and seating
Have more questions about this class?
Tags:
Ecological Garden Design: Lessons From the Bush
Coming Soon: More classes in the works!
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