Diamond Valley Leader

John French landscape design at Eltham South aims to create an environment that people don’t want to leave, by giving them their own piece of paradise.

Owner John French said he’d been in the landscape design business for 25 years and people now came to him when they wanted something “a bit special”.

“My focus is on project managing the designs I’m putting into practice,” Mr French said. “I’m still doing the designs, but also pricing and implementing them.

“I work with other established landscapers who are hand-picked for their quality work and relationship with clients, so that the whole thing is an enjoyable experience for the clients, landscapers and designer.”

Mr French said when he started his landscape design business, he was heavily influenced by the native gardens of Ellis Stones. “Now I design Japanese, Balinese, French provincial and all other styles of gardens, depending on what the clients want,” he said.

“With the current water shortages and the fantastic range of native plants available, I encourage clients to have a garden with low use of water, and not necessarily include lawns. I still design other styles of gardens, but clients seem to be wanting the native aspect more and more.”

Mr French said he had designed hundreds of gardens throughout Melbourne’s suburbs, including ones for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, but predominantly residential gardens.