‘In Ratio with Africa’ – a show garden by Matt York

'In Ratio with Africa' explores the synergies of garden design between Africa and Australia, with resilient design, rare Queensland bottle trees and sustainable water features.

‘In Ratio with Africa’ – a show garden by Matt York

“I’m excited to showcase how resilient design principles from around the world can make a meaningful impact by thoughtfully considering deep soils, podiums and sustainable water features, and even small garden spaces can support the growth of large trees and help to cool our city as we expand to a population of 8 million.”

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'In Ratio with Africa'

Director: Landscape Architecture, Matt York, returned to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), presenting his show garden ‘In Ratio with Africa’.

Drawing on his extensive experience working on international projects across Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, Matt York brought a truly global perspective to this year’s show garden.

In Ratio with Africa delves into the universal patterns that shape outdoor living—examining how different cultures use light, space, water, and plants to create meaningful, functional environments.

The show garden design includes the sustainable reuse of water to cool the urban space and enhance the sensory experience.

A key feature of the cross-cultural garden is the inclusion of three rare Queensland bottle trees (Brachychiton rupestris), inspired by Ghana’s Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) and the deep cultural connection that Australian First Nations and Ghanaian communities have with their respective bottle tree species.

Key contributors to the show garden include lead contractor Stewart BuildCo, Cosh Living, Warners Nursery, Kuranga Native Nursery, BioGro, RocksPlus, Robertsons Building Products, Krause Bricks, Gardens at Night, I’m Diggin It Landscapes, Speciality Trees, Palm Life, Coolabah Turf, Shapescaper, Nero tapware, Fuegos JL, and Surefire hot tubs.