Garden & Landscape Design in Melbourne
Considered design from the team that builds it too
Consolidated Horticultural Services offers garden and landscape design across Melbourne, shaped by more than thirty years spent building the gardens we draw up. Because we design and construct, every concept is grounded in what can actually be built, planted and maintained on your site. The result is a landscape design that looks striking on paper and works in real life.
Melbourne landscape design, grounded in how gardens are built
A beautiful plan is only worth as much as what can be built from it. CHS is led by Alistair Bethke, a registered builder specialising in structural landscapes, which means our landscape designs account for drainage, levels, soil and structure from the very first sketch. You are not handed a concept that falls apart at quoting, you get a design we can cost and construct.
Good design is also about the right plants in the right place. Alistair spent seven years with the City of Melbourne's Parks and Gardens division, and that horticultural grounding shapes how we select and place planting, whether you are after a formal garden, a low-maintenance space or a native garden design suited to Melbourne's climate.
We have designed and cared for Melbourne gardens since 1995, several of them featured in the books of renowned landscape designer Paul Bangay. That is the standard we bring whether the project is a courtyard refresh or a whole-property landscape design.
Service Breakdown
What's Included
Concept & garden design
We translate how you want to use your space into a considered garden design, balancing form, planting and function.
Full landscape design
Detailed landscape design covering layout, levels, materials and planting, drawn so it is ready to build from.
Planting & native design
Plant selection grounded in real horticultural experience, including native garden design suited to Melbourne conditions.
Design & construct
Because we design and build, your design arrives costed and buildable, with no gap between the plan and the finished garden.
Infrastructure planning
Designs that account for drainage, irrigation and lighting from the start, so the garden works as well as it looks.
Backyard & courtyard design
From backyard landscape design to small courtyards, we design spaces of every scale to suit your site and budget.
Recent landscape design projects
A look at recent garden and landscape design work from across Melbourne, from native and low-maintenance gardens to full property designs. Each one is drawn to be built, not just admired on paper. View our full project gallery to see more of what the CHS team delivers.
Areas Served
Garden maintenance across Melbourne
Landscape Design FAQs
Common questions about garden and landscape design across Melbourne.
How much does landscape design cost in Melbourne?
It depends on the size of the site, the scope and how much detail the design needs. We scope and quote each project, and design is often rolled into a full design-and-build. Get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Do you design and build, or only design?
Both. We are a design-and-build team led by a registered builder, so the same team that draws your design can construct it, which keeps the plan realistic and the pricing honest.
Can you do native or low-maintenance garden design?
Yes. We design native gardens suited to Melbourne's climate as well as low-maintenance plantings, drawing on years of horticultural experience to get the plant selection right.
Do I need a design if I already have an idea of what I want?
A design saves money by getting levels, drainage and planting right before anyone starts building. We can do a light concept or a full detailed plan depending on your project.
What makes your design different from a standard landscape designer?
Most designers hand over a plan for someone else to build. We build too, so our designs are grounded in what actually works on site and can be delivered without surprises.
Can you redesign an existing garden?
Yes. We work with what is already established, from a straightforward refresh through to a full redesign of the space.
Still have a question?
If you can't find the answer here, we're happy to help. Get in touch with the CHS team and we'll talk through your garden and how we can design it.