Designing with Nature: Jocelyn Bennett on Native Gardens & striking Gold at MIFGS | The Front Garden EP124

In this episode…

Our host, Chris Weiss, chats with Jocelyn Bennett from Earthcore Landscapes, the design force behind the gold-winning Boutique Garden at the 2025 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.

Jocelyn shares her unconventional path from engineering student to landscape designer, the challenges and triumphs of showcasing a native garden at MIFGS, and the power of design and construction working hand-in-hand. 

She reflects on the steep learning curves of running a small business, setting healthy work boundaries, and the importance of reusing materials and designing sustainably.

With honesty and insight, Jocelyn reveals the highs and lows of building a business with her partner Liam, why native planting inspires her, and why landscape design is as much about problem-solving as it is about creativity.

Key takeaways:

• The value of having in-house construction insight during the design process
• Why native planting and sustainability go hand in hand
• How to manage client expectations and screen for project fit early
• What it takes to prepare for (and survive) a MIFGS build
• Advice for other designers considering Boutique Gardens

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👁️‍🗨️ About Jocelyn Bennett

-        Website earthcorelandscapes.com.au

-        Facebook Earthcore Landscapes

-        Instagram @earthcorelandscapes

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