The latest Creators and Makers lunch welcomed garden designer, author, and stylist Richard Unsworth, hosted by Brisbane arts writer Alison Kublar. Guests gathered under the canopy at Wild Canary to listen, learn, and be inspired.
We were all reminded that amidst all the noise and speed of modern life, especially in a time of digital overwhelm, there remains something profoundly grounding about the practice of gardening and being in our gardens.
On Curating Gardens—and a Life in Design
Throughout the conversation, Richard wove stories from his childhood with his professional journey. Born in the UK and now based in Sydney, he grew up in a creative home where his parents were amateur gardeners and loved cooking. Homemaking creatively was a part of daily life. That influence has never left him.
We loved hearing that as a child he was endlessly changing his bedroom around. That he made pocket money from gardening. One of Richard's first jobs was doing the displays in his uncles hardware store when he was 15.
He spoke about his early days working in garden centres and visiting nurseries.
This all led to Richard launching Garden Life in Sydney, his design studio and boutique nursery. His work today spans public and private gardens, rooftop terraces, and bushland retreats.
The Influence of Pittwater: Weathered Beauty and Wildness
Richard’s property at Pittwater—accessible only by boat—became a turning point in his design philosophy. Acquiring it in a state of charming disrepair.
“It was like Miss Havisham’s house" a mansion frozen in time, the garden a true natural garden, "a bit too natural."
It was here that he started to let go of control and embraced the idea of a garden that evolves over time. Living among the bush turkeys, wallabies, and unpredictable weather changed his approach. He began to see the beauty in imperfection, in plants that struggled but persisted, and in the shapes that wind and rain had sculpted.
“You realise you’re not in charge. You’re working with the land, not against it.”
What Is a Natural Garden?
Richard Unsworth: The Natural Gardener
When prompted to define “natural gardening,” Richard was clear:
“Natural gardening is not a trend. It’s a movement. A softer way of approaching gardens and design.”
Natural gardens are not messy by accident—they’re deliberate, layered, and full of intent. He spoke about restraint, repetition, texture, and flow. It’s not about filling every corner but about allowing space for movement, wildlife, and discovery.
“It’s about structure and chaos. It’s about imperfection and abundance.”
He contrasted it with the more manicured style often associated with traditional gardening, where hedges are clipped to precision and symmetry dominates. Instead, his vision includes choosing local stone, recycled materials, and plantings that lean towards natives.
Living with Wallabies, and Making Peace with Nature
One of the more humorous moments came when Richard described trying to protect young plants from the local wallabies.
“You take the guards off plants you are trying to establish, and it’s like crack for wallabies—they just come and eat everything.”
The audience laughed, but the point was clear: gardening, especially in rural or bush settings, requires flexibility and resilience!
Patience, People, and Personal Gardens
Another key theme was the relationship between gardener and client. Over the years, Richard has grown more confident in guiding people away from “trend gardening” and toward something more meaningful.
“Sometimes you need to grow with the garden.”
He encourages his clients to be patient, to think in seasons and years rather than weeks. A good garden, like a good life, takes time to develop. And it changes you in the process.
He sees his role as part designer, part guide. The aim is not to impose a style but to bring forward the soul of a place—using colour, texture, scent and shape to tell a story.
Favourite Plant? Banksias, Always.
When asked if there’s a plant he always comes back to, his answer was quick and full of affection:
“I have a thing for Banksias… it’s the little nut faces. They’re clever plants, bird-attracting, full of character.”
Banksia robur, Swamp Banksia - great choice for Brisbane
It was a reminder that even for someone who has worked with hundreds of plant species, there is always room for passion, play, and loyalty to the ones that bring joy.
Clarifying the Natural Garden: Indigenous vs. Local
Richard made a point to distinguish between indigenous planting and naturalistic planting:
“Natural gardening doesn’t necessarily mean indigenous. It’s about working with local materials, reducing imports, celebrating what’s already around you.”
That might mean using endemic plants, or it might mean blending exotics with natives in a way that honours the local ecology and reduces reliance on excessive inputs.
Key Takeaways for Gardeners of All Levels
To close, Richard offered some gentle but practical wisdom:
Start with structure, repetition is a good thing and plant choice restraint.
Let go of perfection. Movement, shadow, and spontaneity make gardens feel alive.
Layer thoughtfully. Think beyond colour—texture, height, scent and sound matter.
Be curious. Allow the garden to surprise you. Above all, engage. Gardens are for living in, not just looking at.
“Gardening is nurturing. It’s how we care for our small part of the Earth.”
