What is good garden design?
We believe that modern garden design is all about integrating indoor and outdoor living areas that fit with the clients needs and which also reflects the broader location and environment.
Our aim is to design gardens with an “X” factor, so we try to incorporate a sculptural element into our designs. Sometimes this is achieved through the planting layout and sometimes through built structures such as decks, pergolas and outdoor art.
We often work on difficult hill properties where the challenge with levels, sun, shelter, shade and privacy combine to make interesting and unique gardens.
Your garden has to work for you. Therefore, we focus on function, aesthetics and manageability and will work with you to achieve the best result possible.
Planting
Planting is the key element of the garden that changes with time. Planning the planting to develop and grow in a way that fits with the design is key. Sometimes the planting itself is the focus of the overall garden design and sometimes the planting is combined in a way to frame views and to create shade, shelter and privacy.
Colour, texture and movement combine to provide contrast and interest in the overall garden design.
We focus on using predominantly natives species for planting as we believe it is an important role of today’s gardens to increase the diversity and habitats of our native species. Even a small garden can play its part. However, we do recognise that natives are not always the best option and that exotic species also have a part in our environment and our garden history.
Edible Garden
More and more clients are now asking for edible gardens. These can include fruit and nut trees, vegetable gardens and herbs.
There are many suitable species for the home gardener that not only produce great food, but are also stunning looking plants that add interest to the garden.
We appreciate that many of our clients have limited time for maintaining an edible garden and sometimes space is critical. Through good design and the right choice of plants any garden can produce an element of edible food.
We can offer ongoing advice on plating times for the garden, new plants that we have found to be working well, and pruning and cultivation methods. What we aim to do is integrate the edible with day to day living, making it easy for you to enjoy fresh food from your garden.