Patrick Blanc in Melbourne

Hotel du Département [government headquarters] in Hauts-de-Seine, France

Marché des Halles in Avignon

In case you missed it, the incredible green-thumbed Patrick Blanc (of 'Vertical Garden' fame) is coming to Melbourne. It would be highly unlikely that anyone could have missed this actually, as his visit is getting more publicity than you'd expect if the Pope were coming to town. (Although, I for one, am waaaay more excited about Monsieur Blanc's imminent arrival than I would be about a Papal visit).

Patrick Blanc's incredible soil-less, sustainable and often permanent Vertical Gardens are famous for injecting biodiversity into built-up environments across the globe. The results are always spectacular.

We're very lucky that someone clever at the Melbourne International Design Festival (or, probably more likely, someone clever from the Melbourne Central marketing dept.) has coaxed Mr Blanc out here, and that the Melbourne CBD will host one of his incredible installations. Melbourne Central will proudly display a living, breathing vertical garden from July 17.

Also The National Design Centre is hosting a lecture with Patrick Blanc on Friday July 18 at Fed Square as part of the festival. Tickets are only $10 - so book early!

ps) There's a great article with more info on Patrick Blanc's incredible work at PingMag here. (all images here from PingMag)

Musée Du Quai Branly

'organic wallpaper' in a private home

Mr Lincoln

Mr Lincoln

Sarah and Louise in their brand new shop

stunning posies on display

100% biodegradable flowerpots made from cane - plant them in the soil, and they'll break down completely in 24 months.

Mr Lincoln is a variety of red garden rose. It's also Fitzroy's newest florist, at 102 Gertrude st Fitzroy.

Sarah Nolan and Louise Cooper opened their little shop on Feb 11th. They're both experienced florists who've worked here and overseas for many years, but Mr Lincoln is their first shop of their own. It's a gorgeous little place, and I've no doubt we'll be hearing a lot more about them soon enough...

What sets Mr Lincoln apart is their focus on sustainability. Sarah and Louise have set Mr Lincoln up to be a completely environmentally friendly business. They avoid excess packaging at all costs - they'll wrap your flowers in unbleached fabric (which you can return for recycling), and they refuse packaging when buying their stock at the wholesale markets. They recycle all their green waste, and almost all their stock is local (ie from Victorian growers), to minimise the carbon footprint that comes with stock transportation.

Considering all the packaging that most florists use - cellophane, papers and ribbons etc, its no wonder these two likeminded florists have banded together to offer something different. It's such a great idea, and something I'm sure locals will embrace.

Mothers day is the second Sunday in May - which seems a little way off I know... but it'll creep up before you know it, and when it does, remember to pay Sarah and Louise a visit!

ps) must apologise for the photo quality... can't understand it. I think my camera must have been on a strange setting. whoops.

Top 5 Florists

Guess what? It's Valentine's day. Yeah, yeah... it's all a Hallmark conspiracy to make you buy stuff. Whatever. Personally, any excuse to buy a beautiful bunch of flowers is good enough for me.

My favourite florists aren't pricey, snobbish places where you have to be embarrassed about your $20 budget. The following 5 places are all friendly, un-pretentious small businesses that can put together something stunning on any budget. The staff are patient and lovely and you'll be sure to leave with something that'll make that special someone feel extra special.

In no particular order...

Pollon Flowers

Pollon Flowers is operated by Nichola Minton-Connell. It's a tiny (but well-stocked) shop in the most beautiful location - framed by an arch at the rear of St Pauls Cathedral (that's the big Church opposite Fed Square). The staff are so lovely too... it's all smiles in there. :)

Pollon Flowers
Shop 1/199 Flinders Lane
Melbourne 3000

9663 8232

The Fresh Flower Man

The Fresh Flower Man is Ian Sparkes. His shop has an incredible range... and every single stem is stunning. I don't know what they do here with the slightly droopy, seen-better-days, week-old flowers... but they certainly don't discount them and put them out the front. I think they must cull a good percentage of their stock daily. I have never seen a less that perfect bloom once in this shop. Honestly. If you're feeling generous, they do a stunning bouquet... They used to do all the flowers on Thank God You're Here (Channel 10) and every single arrangement was faultless. Also... they're cheaper than you'd expect. I mean - they're posh... but the prices are completely reasonable. I think. (Of course if a bouquet is a little out of your league you can still pick up a bunch of something gorgeous for under $20 - the beautiful waterlilies pictured top right were $17 when I visited...)

The Fresh Flower Man
379 Malvern rd
South Yarra

9827 0255

Flowers Vasette

Flowers Vasette in Fitzroy was the clear front-runner when I was asking people their favourite florists last week. Vasette do have a great range, at good prices... they're always busy... and there's a 15 minute un-metered park out the front. I'd say that they're not quite as good value as they used to be... but still definitely up there amongst my favourites.

Flowers Vasette
247 Brunswick st
Fitzroy

9419 4988

Art Stems

Art Stems in Lygon st, Carlton used to be open 24 hours! I would often go in late for that last-minute gift, and chat to the night-shift guy, Andy... and wonder how on earth they could justify being open all night! Now Andy's overseas and no one else seems keen on the graveyard shift... so they do close at night these days. However, they're open 7 days til late and they have a fantastic, very affordable range of flowers. Again, super friendly staff, and gorgeous bunches starting at under $10.

Art Stems
1018 Lygon st
Carlton North

9387 0566

Albert Park Fruit Palace

Albert Park Fruit Palace isn't a florist. It's actually a slightly over-priced grocery shop. However... whilst the fruit and veg is on the pricey side, the flowers are cheap and cheerful, and their selection would rival most small florists. They won't do a bouquet, and they won't offer you a selection of nicely coloured tissue paper... but their range is great, and they always have interesting tall branchy things like willow branches, cherry blossoms, fruit tree branches etc etc... very sculptural - and way cheaper than they would be at an actual florist.

Albert Park Fruit Palace
91 Dundas Place
Albert Park

9690 4383