Melbourne Arts Precinct Plant Trials set new standards for urban landscapes

Rigorous horticultural research is reshaping how major urban landscapes are designed.

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Plant Trials, now underway at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus, are directly informing Hassell’s design for Laak Boorndap — a landmark 18,000 sqm urban garden at the heart of the Arts Precinct Transformation. Over 1,000 individual plants across more than 125 species are being assessed in conditions that simulate the challenging urban environment they’ll eventually inhabit.

Spanning three years, the Burnley Plant Trials are structured to test how varied species and mixes of plants perform in hot, exposed conditions and shallow soils, all while receiving minimal irrigation. Advanced monitoring — ranging from drone imaging to real-time soil sensors —is central to gathering critical data on plant survival, growth and long-term resilience.

This scientific, evidence-based approach is shaping the foundation for a selection of robust, adaptive plant species that will ensure Laak Boorndap is both ecologically diverse and visually engaging year-round. The research is also advancing understanding of urban biodiversity and climate-ready garden strategies.

FEDERATION SQUARE TEST GARDEN

A pop-up Test Garden has also been established at Melbourne’s Federation Square, offering the public a first-hand glimpse of naturalistic planting styles being considered for Laak Boorndap. The Test Garden provides a platform for ongoing research, community participation and educational programming. It acts as a living laboratory, where garden enthusiasts and curious visitors alike can observe planting combinations, track seasonal change and engage with the future of the city’s landscape.

By embedding research and design at every stage, the Melbourne Arts Precinct Plant Trials and Test Garden are setting a new standard for green space in the city —ensuring Laak Boorndap will become a thriving, climate-responsive landscape for generations to come.

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Plant Trials is a partnership between The University of Melbourne (Burnley Campus), Hassell, MAP Co, Development Victoria, Super Bloom, James Hitchmough and Nigel Dunnett.