Our Team
Founded in 2003, Cadogan Gardens currently comprises of Michael Rawlinson and two employees and draws upon a range of specialist subcontractors and suppliers.
Michael Rawlinson
Proprietor / owner
Michael Rawlinson
Proprietor / owner
My origins are in the provincial United Kingdom where as a young man I was involved in the nursery and gardening industry. Upon emigrating to Australia I again became involved in the nursery industry. I also gained experience in the housing construction and landscape construction industries. I have attained my Advanced Certificate in Horticulture and Certificate IV in Building & Construction since residing here in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
My vision was always to launch my own Landscape services company. One that would ultimately bring together the fantastic lifestyle opportunities that I found here in Melbourne, with aesthetic excellence and wider environmental philosophy.
Our Philosophy
Care, Craftsmanship, and Commitment
Holistic
Whilst we design a very small piece of environment we take our cues from and consider the needs of the wider environment. Practically we know this is better environmental practice, but importantly this philosophy leads us to make a space more in context aesthetically.
Our work is always founded on good horticultural science. Lots of happy organisms coexisting!
Cadogan Gardens is a proudly certified member of ECLIPs (Environmentally Certified Landscape Industry Professionals).
Contemporary
Our landscapes are progressive by design.
Free to rethink a space, we understand the urban lay-out is conservative, as are most buildings, but now let’s do something else.
The antidote to square, to concrete and asphalt.
Australiana
Landscape design is an opportunity to celebrate antipodean biota. We have a wealth of rocks, timbers and flowering plants around us. The uniqueness and diversity of Australian materials is unrivalled.
- When it comes to Aussie gardens we are antiglobalist.
- Where possible, all quarry products are local.
- All timber is harvested in Australia and native species are showcased.
- Plant schedules observe provenance specificity — celebrate Australian flora — and in some cases feature endangered indigenous species.
This all helps to bring together a finished job that loves being Australian, reduces the carbon footprint, and supports the local economy.
Testimonials
Trusted by Our Community
“I just had to write a short note to say how very pleased I am with your landscaping work you completed before Xmas. Your choice of natives, the placement, type of plants, etc, was perfect.
Two months on, everything is surviving well and is looking wonderful.
My patients all admire the new garden, and sometimes I let them think it was my work, but I happily display your business cards in my waiting room.
Thank you so much again for your grand effort, I wish you all the best.”
— Ian B. Thomas, mont Albert North
“Mick built our Landscape according to a design we planned in consultation with him. We found him pleasant to deal with and very knowledgeable. He gave us great advice. The work included Castlemaine Rock Walls, instant turf, sandstone paving and replacement of our existing retaining walls. Mick helped us to select appropriate native plants that require little work from us! Value for money and excellent service.”
— P Matthews, Donvale
“We recently hired Mick and his team to make over our backyard. This included an alfresco area paved with bluestone pavers, cobblestone paved driveway, a stack stone water feature, new retaining walls and a variety of planting. We are very happy with the results and found Mick and his team very helpful and professional. And the price was very competitive! Highly recommend.”
— D Delmo, Camberwell
“We would like to thank you very much for our gorgeous garden. You did an outstanding job, and not only do we love spending time relaxing in the beautiful spaces you created, but our family and friends have all commented on how amazing our garden looks now.”
— M. & S. Bourke, Box Hill
“Dear Mick,
Just writing to let you know how delighted I am with the vegetable garden and chook pen built for us by Cadogan Gardens. We now enjoy fresh vegetables year round, supplemented with yummy fresh eggs. We grow and store all our own garlic and in summer we make tomato sauce and have plenty of salad food to share with family.
The raised vegetable beds are great. The sleepers really define the vegetable patch which means that even when overflowing with organic produce the garden still looks tidy. Without a doubt I would say after two years produce that the garden has paid for itself and we are enjoying healthier, tastier, fresher food.
Thanks again.”
— Leone Carberry, Bulleen
“Dear Mick,
Thanks so much for working with us and for us to transform our yard. The infrastructure you created has given us the framework to create a garden which I’m looking forward to doing, come autumn.
Hope your business takes off in the ways you envisage.
Once we have a few things started in the garden, we’ll invite you back to take some photos but meanwhile don’t hesitate to give us a call if you want to show prospective clients any of your work.
All the best and many thanks.”