Bespoke Landscape Design for Melbourne Homes

Creating Gardens That Tell Your Story

Every plot of land has a story waiting to be told. At David Claude Landscape Design, our mission is to amplify that narrative through innovative, organic design that respects both the natural terrain and your unique lifestyle.

With over 30 years of experience transforming Melbourne properties, we understand that exceptional landscape design goes far beyond placing plants in the ground. It’s about creating an outdoor extension of your home that evolves beautifully through the seasons and matures gracefully over the decades.

Our Design Philosophy

We believe the best gardens feel like they’ve always existed - as though the hand of nature itself shaped them. This philosophy guides every project we undertake, from compact inner-city courtyards to sprawling suburban estates.

Our approach blends:

• Organic Design Principles - Working with the natural contours and characteristics of your site
• Architectural Integration - Ensuring your garden complements and extends your home’s design language
• Horticultural Expertise - Selecting plants that will thrive in Melbourne’s unique climate
• Sustainable Practices - Incorporating water-wise design and native species where appropriate

The Design Process

Initial Consultation

Every project begins with an on-site meeting where we walk the property together. This isn’t just about measuring boundaries - it’s about understanding how you live, how light moves across the space throughout the day, and what stories the existing landscape might be hiding.

Concept Development

From our initial discussions, we develop preliminary concept plans that explore different approaches to your site. These aren’t rigid blueprints but conversation starters - visual tools that help us refine the vision together.

Detailed Design

Once we’ve agreed on the direction, we create comprehensive design documentation including:

• Detailed planting plans with species selections suited to Victorian conditions
• Hardscape specifications and material selections
• Lighting concepts for evening ambience
• Construction documentation for council permits where required

Implementation

Unlike many designers who hand off plans and walk away, we offer complete project management through to completion. We coordinate all trades, ensure design fidelity throughout construction, and don’t consider a project complete until you’re delighted with the result.

Why Choose Professional Design?

Many homeowners wonder whether professional landscape design is necessary or whether they can simply work directly with a landscaper. While this approach might work for simple projects, professional design adds significant value for most properties. Curious about what landscape design costs? Our transparent pricing guide breaks down typical fees.

Avoid Costly Mistakes - Poor plant selection, drainage issues, and spatial problems can cost thousands to rectify. Professional design addresses these issues before a single plant goes in the ground.

Maximise Your Investment - A well-designed garden can add 10-15% to your property value. More importantly, it transforms how you experience your home every single day.

Long-term Vision - We design with decades in mind, selecting plants at appropriate sizes and positioning them for mature growth. Your garden should look better in ten years than it does on completion.

Melbourne’s Unique Design Challenges

Melbourne’s climate presents both opportunities and challenges for garden design. Our famously changeable weather, periodic droughts, and clay-heavy soils require specialist knowledge to navigate successfully.

We’ve developed deep expertise in:

• Drought-tolerant design that remains beautiful through water restrictions
• Native species selection suited to specific microclimates across Melbourne’s suburbs
• Soil management for the challenging clay soils common in the eastern suburbs
• Steep block solutions for hilly areas like Eltham, Templestowe, and the Yarra ranges

Ready to Begin?

Your garden’s transformation starts with a conversation. Contact us to arrange your complimentary design consultation and discover what’s possible for your property.