 Award-winning landscape design and construction for Hawthorn’s heritage homes, contemporary architecture and riverfront properties. Forty years of experience across Melbourne’s east — and a free on-site consultation to start the conversation.
Why Hawthorn Homeowners Choose John French Landscape Design
Hawthorn covers more architectural ground than almost any inner-east suburb. Federation mansions on Manningtree Road, contemporary townhouses near Auburn Village, Edwardian terraces stepping down toward the Yarra, compact period workers’ cottages off Glenferrie Road — every block is a different design conversation. We have been designing landscapes across Melbourne’s east since 1981, and our work in Hawthorn ranges from compact courtyard restorations to grand riverfront estates. The principle stays the same: gardens that match the architecture, suit the way you actually live, and look better in ten years than the day they were planted.
John French Landscape Design is multi-award-winning and rated five stars on Houzz. Our team handles every stage of a project in-house, from initial concept through construction and planting, so your Hawthorn garden moves from concept to completion without the handovers that stretch projects out by months.
From Glenferrie Road through to the Yarra, we design landscapes that suit Hawthorn’s full architectural range.
Four-tile feature block (small icon or image + heading + 1 line each):
- 40+ years designing gardens in Melbourne’s east
- Multi-award-winning, 5-star on Houzz
- Heritage and contemporary architecture experience
- Full design, construct and project-manage service
Speak to Madina about your Hawthorn garden — call 0419 725 344
Landscape designers for Hawthorn's Architectural Range and Heritage Streets
Most Hawthorn gardens come with constraints that less experienced designers underestimate. Heritage overlays cover significant pockets of the suburb. Boroondara Council planning requirements shape what is possible. Compact blocks demand design discipline. Established trees, neighbour boundaries and aspect all narrow the field. A designer who understands those constraints from the first site visit will save you months on the project.
Heritage Overlay and Boroondara Council Permits — Handled With Care
Hawthorn has substantial heritage overlay coverage, particularly around Manningtree Road, Lisson Grove and the streets running off Power Street toward the Yarra. Permits are often required for significant tree removal, retaining walls, deck construction and structural changes. We have worked through Boroondara’s planning process repeatedly, and we prepare landscape plans that meet the council’s guidelines first time. Where a permit is required, we manage the application and council liaison for you.
Designing Across Period and Contemporary Architecture
Hawthorn’s Federation, Edwardian, Victorian and contemporary homes each demand a different design language. A grand Federation home calls for clipped formal hedging, gravel paths and period-appropriate species. A contemporary architect-designed townhouse needs sharp geometric lines, structural plantings and a considered material palette. We design across the full range, and the consistent thread is always the same — the garden complements the architecture rather than competing with it.
Soil, Aspect and Compact-Block Design in Hawthorn
Hawthorn shares the broader inner-east clay-loam soil profile, with drainage that varies between elevated streets and the lower blocks running down toward the Yarra. Hawthorn’s particular challenge is often spatial — many blocks are smaller than their Kew or Camberwell neighbours, which means every square metre has to earn its place. A north-facing courtyard will reward layered planting with structural Buxus and Magnolia ‘Little Gem’; a hot west-facing aspect does well with drought-tolerant choices like Westringia, Lomandra ‘Tanika’ and Liriope. We choose every species deliberately, for both performance and visual character.
Our Landscape Design and Construction Services for Hawthorn Homes
We deliver every stage in-house, from concept to construction, so your Hawthorn project moves smoothly without handovers between contractors.
Custom Garden Design
Every Hawthorn home is different — period, contemporary, or somewhere in between — and every garden design we create begins with the property itself. We deliver detailed landscape and garden design plans tailored to your home’s architecture, block layout, aspect, and the way you actually use your outdoor space.
Pool Landscaping and Pool Surrounds
Pool surrounds in Hawthorn often need to deliver more in less space, making thoughtful pool landscaping essential in compact residential gardens. Neighbour proximity, limited backyard dimensions and local planning requirements all influence the design approach. We work with limestone, travertine, bluestone and timber decking, integrating planting and lighting carefully so the pool becomes a cohesive part of the garden rather than dominating the space.
Heritage and Period-Home Garden Restoration
Restoring a heritage Hawthorn garden requires both horticultural skill and architectural sensitivity. We work with clipped formal hedging, parterre layouts, period-appropriate species and existing structures to bring tired gardens back to life without losing their character.
Hardscaping, Patios and Outdoor Living
Stone paving, retaining walls, fire pits, timber decks and outdoor kitchens — the structural elements that make a garden usable year-round. We design and build hardscape that fits your home’s material language and stands up to Hawthorn’s climate over decades.
Drought-Tolerant and Native Garden Design
Sustainable design is not a trend for us — it has shaped our work since the early 1980s. Our approach to Drought-Tolerant and Native Garden Design focuses on selecting plant palettes that thrive on Hawthorn’s natural rainfall, reduce ongoing maintenance, and contribute to the wider ecology of Melbourne’s east.
Construction Project Management
Managing a landscape build involves coordinating trades, schedules, permits, suppliers and material deliveries with precision. Our landscaping construction administration service oversees every stage of the process, giving you a single point of contact from the start of construction through to the final handover of your completed garden.
Ready to plan your Hawthorn garden?
Create a stunning outdoor environment with personalised landscape design that reflects the way you live and entertain.
Call Madina: 0419 725 344Recent Landscape Projects Near Hawthorn
Our project history across Hawthorn, Kew, Camberwell and the inner east covers everything from compact courtyard restorations to grand riverfront estates. We bring photographs and references to every consultation so you can see how our approach translates to gardens of comparable scale and style. The gallery below shows recent projects from across Melbourne’s east — feel free to ask about anything you would like to discuss in more detail when we meet on site.
Explore real landscape design projects tailored to each property’s architecture and lifestyle.
See how we combine structure, planting, and outdoor living to create cohesive garden spaces.
What Hawthorn Clients Say About Working With John French
We are five-star rated on Houzz with a track record of multi-award-winning projects across Melbourne’s east. The reviews below come from real clients describing real work — design conversations, construction experience, and the way the garden has lived since handover.
What Our Hawthorn Customers Say
john walsh
We’re thrilled with the final result. The design completely transformed our home. The team at John French Landscape Design along with their installation team did a fantastic job and exceeded expectations.
Raju Singh Rathorea
When we employed them to landscape our backyard, John French came and sat with me to find out what ideas I had and how I wanted it to look. John arranged everything, he was very professional, friendly and made everything so easy. The sub-contractors he used were very nice people. There were no problems whatsoever and they did a sensational job.
John Calleja
Russell and his team did such a great job on my backyard. From start to finish Russell was professional and very easy to deal with. His hard work and high quality just showed exceptionally through my background when it was finished.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscape Design in Hawthorn
How much does landscape design cost in Hawthorn?
Costs vary widely with scope, site complexity, hardscape extent and chosen materials. Compact courtyard restorations in Hawthorn typically start around $30,000–$80,000. Mid-size garden redesigns sit in the $80,000–$200,000 range. Full estate or grand heritage restorations can reach $300,000 or more. Every property is different — book a free on-site consultation for an accurate quote.
Do I need a permit from Boroondara Council for landscaping in Hawthorn?
It depends on the scope. Heritage overlay properties, retaining walls above one metre, significant tree removal, large decks and substantial structures usually require a planning permit from Boroondara Council. Minor garden changes generally do not. We assess the specifics on site and handle the permit process and council liaison for you.
How long does a landscape design and construction project take in Hawthorn?
Allow four to six weeks for the design phase and detailed documentation, then six to twenty weeks for construction depending on scope, materials and weather. Compact courtyard projects often finish in the lower end of that range; major heritage estate work may run longer. Heritage overlay properties may add time for council approvals — we factor that into the schedule from day one.
Do you design for compact blocks, period homes and contemporary architecture in Hawthorn?
Yes. Compact urban courtyards, period restorations, riverfront estates and contemporary architect-designed homes are all part of our regular Hawthorn work. We have been delivering across that full range for forty years.
What does a free on-site consultation include?
A site walk through your garden with Madina or one of the senior team, a discussion of your brief, ideas and budget, an early view on design feasibility, and a written follow-up summarising what we have discussed and what the next steps look like. There is no obligation and no cost.
Areas We Also Service Near Hawthorn
We work across Melbourne’s east and inner east. If you live near Hawthorn, you may also want to look at our work in Kew, Camberwell, Canterbury, Surrey Hills, Balwyn, Glen Iris, Richmond or Ashburton. Each suburb has its own character and our pages for each describe how that shapes our approach.
Kew
Camberwell
Canterbury
Surrey Hills
Balwyn
Glen Iris
Richmond
Ashburton
Call Madina on 0419 725 344 or email info@johnfrenchlandscapes.com.au to discuss your landscape design project.
Studio: 3/29 Susan Street, Eltham VIC 3095.
Book Your Free On-Site Consultation in Hawthorn
Tell us about your Hawthorn property, your garden ambitions and your timeframe. Madina or one of the senior team will get back to you within one business day to arrange a free on-site consultation. There is no cost, no obligation and no pressure — just a clear, useful conversation about what is possible.
