One of the biggest adjustments moving from Connecticut to Melbourne?
Losing my go-to plant palette.
In Connecticut, plant selection was instinctive.
There was even a running joke in the office:
"When in doubt, Amelanchier does the shout."
And honestly — it worked.
Surrounded by a familiar palette — Sugar Maple, Dogwood, Paper Birch.
Shrubs like Mountain Laurel and Clethra.
Perennials like Dicentra, Peonies… and my personal favourite, Hostas.
It is about letting go of familiarity — and rebuilding confidence in a different ecological context.
There are overlaps — Japanese Maple, Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, even some Ilex.
But they don't behave the same way.
In Melbourne, that kind of default doesn't exist.
Yes, you see Eucalyptus everywhere — and plants like Westringia becoming reliable — but using them well in designed landscapes is a different challenge altogether.
And I'm still learning that plant language here.
Every decision requires more intent:
- What actually survives summer?
- What truly thrives vs just gets through?
- How do native species perform in designed settings?
It isn't just learning about new plants.
It is about letting go of familiarity — and rebuilding confidence in a different ecological context.
From choosing what I know → to understanding what belongs.
And just as that started to make sense, I began to ask — what about hardscape?
For landscape architects and designers — what's a "go-to" plant you had to unlearn in a new region?