Getting back to nature with Frances Hale

Frances Hale’s childhood memories read like a series of idyllic springtime scenes. Her father’s extensive vegetable patch, a paddock of pumpkins next to her house, making daisy chains with her sisters, and afternoons spent playing in the buttressed roots of ancient oak trees.

“I wanted to be a fashion designer, but didn’t have the patience for sewing,” says the founder and principal designer of landscaping business Peachy Green. “I loved the drawing and creative side of design and had grown up in a family of green thumbs, so landscaping seemed like a good fit. I loved trees and walking in the bush in New Zealand – I didn’t really overthink it, I just enrolled in horticulture and landscape design in New Zealand after school and it turned out to be a great life choice for me.”

Frances’ first job was at Eugene Gilligan Garden Design in Victoria, a role she says taught her a lot about residential garden design and gave her the skills she needed to undertake architectural drafting, interior design and landscape design positions in London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. 

“I learnt to listen to what people are really saying, even when they’re not sure exactly what that is yet, and to tease out the heart and mission of a project," says Frances. “Working with talented people is fun, inspiring and rewarding, and I’m always appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate and build long-term professional relationships that get better with time; I’ve learnt that taking the time to make sure things are always done the right way, to incubate ideas, will always bring you the best outcome, so don’t rush things!”

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Frances eventually returned to Melbourne and founded Peachy Green, her landscape design business, in 2011. “I felt I had enough experience under my belt to run projects, and I wanted the flexibility to work my own hours so I could start having kids and the freedom to create gardens my way. I started small and Peachy Green grew organically with wonderful clients that recommended me to their friends,” says Frances. 

As the business grew, so too did the demands and stress associated with it, and while Frances now enjoys tackling the technical aspects of running her own show, it was a skill she acquired through perseverance. “It took a couple of years of learning from others, figuring out what worked for me and implementing systems that enabled me to employ staff, grow a team and feel confident,” says Frances.

Sustainability and working with nature, rather than against it, comes naturally to Frances. “It’s about building robust landscapes that will age beautifully using natural materials, local stone and timber, and planting lush but water-sensitive and hardy species that will thrive in the aspect and soil type while providing shade and protection for the house,” says Frances. “We look to improve the soils by cultivating and enriching the existing microbiome with composted organic matter and organic mulches, and harvesting water wherever possible to irrigate the garden.”

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Like any creative pursuit, the path to success requires careful cultivation of innovative ideas and beautiful solutions that represent one's own values and style, and Frances finds her inspiration in nature. 

“We’re slightly obsessed with plants here at Peachy Green! We find so much joy in discovering new combinations or rethinking the way we use more traditional plants. We get to visit rare plant nurseries and spend a lot of time considering the various textures and colours in the plant world and how we can amplify the effect of our planting combinations," says Frances. 

“Materiality is of great inspiration to me; I’m often inspired by an old brick wall, textured stucco or retro details I see when out walking. We often discover existing materials on site that we can really embrace and enhance through our design. We work with some incredibly talented architects and as we feel that the garden should be an extension of the house, we are equally inspired by their vision for the project.”

For Frances, the most fulfilling aspect of building Peachy Green and working as a landscape designer is the surprise and delight experienced by her clients when their new garden comes into its own. 

“Going back a year or two after the garden is complete and being astounded by the way nature has taken over, how the plants have woven together and transformed into a lush leafy space is so fulfilling. That and receiving photographs from clients who also delight in watching it grow – especially when surprises pop up as the seasons bring flowers, autumn colour, new leaves and climbers shoot up and cover the walls,” she says. “I love what I do everyday and I’m forever grateful I ended up here.”

See more work by Peachy Green or find a landscape designer near you on ArchiPro.