Practice
andrea proctor landscapes is a landscape architecture and horticulture practice based in the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne and passionate about creating beautiful, functional spaces with a strong connection to their local environment and the people that use them. Our experience is wide, from small residential gardens and community spaces, to some of Victoria’s best known and loved public gardens. Our passion is for good contemporary design, and creating botanically rich and engaging landscapes, individually designed for the people who use them and the place they are in.
Our experience extends to all aspects of Landscape Architecture, meaning we can guide your project from beginning to end - from strategic landscape master plans through to post construction care. While we welcome a range of projects, we have a special focus on botanic gardens, therapeutic landscapes, heritage landscapes and play spaces. Another passion is strategic horticulture, working with botanic gardens and other land managers to guide the care and long-term management of their trees and gardens.
Our staff have been involved in the development and management of some of Melbourne’s most iconic landscapes, including the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Carlton Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Melbourne Zoo. However, we also have a special fondness for small-scale projects with a direct connection to their local community, as we have seen the difference these projects can make to the people who use them.
At apl we enjoy using design to solve problems, and have seen time and again how the right design process can create spaces which are liveable, inviting and delightful places to be. We achieve this by working collaboratively, developing strong working relationships with State and Local Government, permit authorities, residents, clients and other design professionals so we can design spaces that work for everyone involved.
As a deliberately small practice we provide personalised service which does not compromise on quality, working with you to develop practical, delight filled landscapes.
Our experience extends to all aspects of Landscape Architecture, meaning we can guide your project from beginning to end - from strategic landscape master plans through to post construction care. While we welcome a range of projects, we have a special focus on botanic gardens, therapeutic landscapes, heritage landscapes and play spaces. Another passion is strategic horticulture, working with botanic gardens and other land managers to guide the care and long-term management of their trees and gardens.
Our staff have been involved in the development and management of some of Melbourne’s most iconic landscapes, including the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Carlton Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Melbourne Zoo. However, we also have a special fondness for small-scale projects with a direct connection to their local community, as we have seen the difference these projects can make to the people who use them.
At apl we enjoy using design to solve problems, and have seen time and again how the right design process can create spaces which are liveable, inviting and delightful places to be. We achieve this by working collaboratively, developing strong working relationships with State and Local Government, permit authorities, residents, clients and other design professionals so we can design spaces that work for everyone involved.
As a deliberately small practice we provide personalised service which does not compromise on quality, working with you to develop practical, delight filled landscapes.
Projects
BOTANIC GARDENS
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HERITAGE LANDSCAPES
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SCHOOLS AND PLAY SPACES
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THERAPEUTIC LANDSCAPES
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COMMUNITY PROJECTS
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HORTICULTURE AND PLANTING DESIGN
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MASTER PLANS
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RESIDENTIAL
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People
Andrea Proctor
Andrea is a landscape architect and horticulturalist with nearly 20 years’ experience working with leading firms and Victorian institutions. For over ten years Andrea was principal assistant and collaborator working with high-profile landscape architect Andrew Laidlaw, both in his private practice, Laidlaw & Laidlaw Design, and at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. During this time she worked on a range of projects across Victoria, including many of Victoria’s regional botanic gardens and iconic public spaces such as the Melbourne Zoo. At L&LD she was integrally involved in all the firm’s significant projects, with primary responsibility for project management, design development, documentation and reports, including master plan production. Her early career work for John Patrick Pty Ltd provided expertise in aboriculture and the management of heritage landscapes and trees. From 2016 to 2020 Andrea was engaged part-time as Assistant Landscape Architect by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to work on the Melbourne Gardens 20-year Master Plan . During this time, she was also involved in the development of new projects such as the Fern Gully Wellbeing Gardens and Arid Garden. Since opening apl she has continued to work with RBGV as their heritage consultant and to assist with strategic horticulture projects such as the Living Collections Strategy and Tree Plan. In 2019, Andrea opened andrea proctor landscapes to continue the work she is passionate about, leading projects including the Albury Botanic Gardens Master Plan, Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens’ Australian Cloud Forest Conservation Garden, WalKyneton Accessible Landscape, Woodlands Playspace for Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and the new landscaping for the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Fernery. In addition to her work at apl, Andrea worked part time at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley campus until December 2024, where she held the position of Lecturer in Residential Landscape Design, teaching Melbourne’s next generation of garden designers. She has presented at many conferences and industry forums, including Global Botanic Gardens Congresses and at a workshop for the Australian Landscape Conference. 
John Arnott
John joined apl as a senior horticulturist after a long and highly respected career with botanic and public gardens across Victoria. John was Manager Horticulture at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Gardens from 2008 to 2024 with a focus on the Australian Garden and conservation horticulture activities. Prior to this he worked in several significant public gardens including at Melbourne Zoo and Geelong Botanic Gardens. In 2015 John was awarded the Australian Plants Award, presented biennially by the Australian Native Plant Societies (Australia) to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the knowledge of Australian plants. John is an active and leading member of BGANZ and a regular presenter on the 3CR Gardening Show with Emma. 
Sandra Schwarz
Sandra joined apl in 2020 as a graduate landscape architect after a previous career in visual arts secondary education. Transferring almost 20 years of design and education experience, Sandra has a particular interest in therapeutic and children’s spaces that connect people to nature. Outside of apl, she volunteers for various gardening charities including Therapeutic Horticulture Australia and Open Gardens Victoria. She has also combined her teaching and landscape skills in tutoring and lecturing at the University of Melbourne's Burnley Campus, especially in therapeutic landscapes. |
Emma Herd
Emma is a landscape architect and horticulturalist, who has built her career around plants, using these to inspire her design work. After working with medium sized firms CDA and GBLA, Emma started her own business, Little Green Landscapes, with a focus on the design and maintenance of courtyards and balcony gardens. During this time Emma also worked with Andrea Proctor and Andrew Laidlaw at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, helping to develop and document their design work for new projects including the Nature and Science Precinct, Sensory Garden and Arid Garden. Emma joined apl in 2021, bringing her horticultural and design expertise to the team. Emma is also a regular presenter on the 3CR Community Radio Gardening Show. 
Tessa Kum
Tessa is a strategic horticulturalist who joined apl part time in 2023 to assist with tree replacement, living collections, strategic horticulture, report writing and editing. While studying at the University of Melbourne, Burnley, Tessa started volunteering with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. She went on to work for RBGV, where she has assisted with the establishment of the Climate Change Alliance of Botanic Gardens and development of the Landscape Succession Toolkit, Climate Assessment Tool and Living Collections Plan. Tessa continues to work part time for RBGV, assisting the Curator and Manager Horticulture in implementing strategic horticulture projects at the Melbourne Gardens. Prior to studying at Burnley, Tessa was a professional editor. Connor Byrnes
Connor Byrnes joined apl in 2025 as Assistant Landscape Architect. Connor has a background in Architecture and a Masters of Urban Horticulture (where he studied under Andrea and Andrew). Connor's previous work included being the sole landscape designer with Cultivating Community, a not-for-profit organisation focusing on community garden design in Public Housing and other public and community spaces. As part of this work he was involved in all aspects of the design process, including leading community consultation and being a stakeholder to other clients including Architecture and Landscape Architecture firms. At apl Connor is involved in all aspects of the landscape design process and is lead draftsperson in the office. 
Collaborators
In addition to core staff, apl work with a range of associated landscape architects, design professionals and horticultural scientists to deliver larger projects. Please contact us if you would like more information or see our Instagram account @andreaproctorlandscapes |
andrea proctor landscapes
horticulture | landscape architecture | heritage
www.andreaproctor.com.au [email protected] +61 411 037 886
we are grateful to laidlaw & laidlaw design for allowing us to share projects we completed together
horticulture | landscape architecture | heritage
www.andreaproctor.com.au [email protected] +61 411 037 886
we are grateful to laidlaw & laidlaw design for allowing us to share projects we completed together