A well trimmed hedge, new patio or flower bed can help make a house a home. In this feature we meet at some of Canberra’s landscaping experts.

Clear communication wins big award

Taking out Business Person of the Year in 2024 at the Canberra Region Local Business Awards, In-Depth Landscape Construction CEO Sarah Bateman says their success is due to their clear and consistent communication.

“We take great pride in offering a complete in-house service from design-to-build, handling all aspects to do with your yard and landscaping under the one roof,” she says.

“Unlike other contractors who may only focus on one aspect of the process, we can provide a seamless transition from concept to completion.

“Our highly consultative approach ensures that each project is uniquely tailored to the client’s vision, functional requirements and property characteristics.”

Adhering to strict industry regulations, guidelines and best practices, Sarah says her team only uses quality materials and her project manager conducts thorough site inspections at every stage of a client’s project to guarantee durability and excellence.

Offering design packages and personalised and structured approaches to the design process, Sarah says they work hard to ensure their clients feel heard and are confident throughout the design process.

“From the initial consultation with our designer to the final site walkthroughs with our project manager, we keep our clients informed every step of the way,” she says.

In-Depth Landscape Construction. Unit 3/1 Sawmill Circuit, Hume. Call 6293 2257 or visit indepthlandscaping.com.au

Shannon can’t imagine life without gardens

Only four years into owning her own landscaping business, Panacea Landscapes owner Shannon Blackbourn has already won a couple of awards.

She scored first prize at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in the Balcony Garden Competitions in 2024 and secured third place in her 2025 submission.

Working in the landscaping industry since age 16, Shannon says owning her own business has been “a rollercoaster, but one I wouldn’t have any other way”.

“My introduction to horticulture was as a young child, in my Grandma Shirley’s garden,” she says. “All the places Shirley lived were full of beautiful flowers and although I didn’t realise it at the time, it would be my chosen path.”

Leaving school at 16 to begin her work in landscaping, Shannon says she is thankful for the local gardener and landscaper who took a chance on her despite her lack of experience.

“He took a chance on me even though I didn’t even know how to mix two stroke petrol or that there was even more than one type of grass!” she says.

Now working on projects from tiny gardens to large estates, Shannon says she can’t imagine a life without gardens.

“I didn’t get the chance to think about juggling a business and family, it all just happened at once,” she says.

“I plan to keep going and hope one day to mentor other young people in the industry and give back the opportunities and guidance that was given to me.”

Panacea Landscapes. Visit panacealandscapes.com or call 0498 287789.

Attentive care for beautiful gardens

Combining design with skilled construction and attentive garden care to deliver a full-service experience, Manuka Gardens business manager, Victoria Davies says their success can be attributed to their personal approach and clear communication.

“We take the time to understand each client’s vision and offer tailored solutions that blend creativity, practicality and craftsmanship,” she says.

“Reliability is the foundation of our work and we pride ourselves on doing what we say we will do, when we say we will do it.”

According to Victoria, safety and quality is non-negotiable and says the team follows industry best practices and invests in training and professional development to keep skills sharp and standards high.

“Every project is overseen by experienced managers who perform regular site inspections to ensure workmanship, materials and safety protocols meet Australian standards.”

Starting with a thorough consultation to discuss visions, goals and lifestyle needs, the team offers advice, guidance and transparent quotes to ensure clients are on the same page.

“Throughout design, construction and maintenance, we check in regularly, offering opportunities for feedback and adjustments so the final result reflects exactly what the client envisioned or better,” says Victoria.

Set apart from other landscapers by their strong plant focus, Victoria says they design gardens that aren’t just built, but grow, evolve and thrive, creating living spaces of beauty and seasonal interest.

Manuka Gardens. 6/66 Maryborough Street, Fyshwick. Call 6147 6733 or visit manukagardens.com.au