The garden that followed them home

— Point Wells, New Zealand

N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0596 web

A magical garden finds a balance between endless imagination and limitations. The conversation between client and designer sets these boundaries.

N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0478 web

It is a rare and special occasion that this relationship is transported from one piece of land to a fresh new canvas. With trust well established the opportunity to work together to layer a garden slowly over a series of growing seasons results in a garden that balances simplicity with discovery.

N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0631 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0583 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0576 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0598 web

The convention of indoor-outdoor flow from house to deck to lawn is re-imagined, with the lawn instead floating amongst the gardens borders; a room of its own. This sense of space also allows the garden to touch the edge of the deck, enhancing the living space both in and out.

N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0735 web

Even after only one Summer season since additional planting - that saw the lawn space reduced and borders filled with colourful, drought tolerant varieties - from inside the house the lawn has almost all but disappeared from view, creating an immersive experience that one recent visitor referred to as "a wonderland".

N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0726 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0628 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0494 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0549 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0515 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0649 web

Productively abundant, the garden balances a huge array of berries, fruits, grapes and herbs, with the rich colour scheme that compliments the interior of the house, a tapestry of vibrant family life. The peat soils on a limestone base required activation with organic matter to maximise productivity and growth.

N Woo Pt Wells 9 Nov20 0408 web
N Woo Pt Wells 9 Nov20 0482 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0490 web
N Woo Pt Wells 9 Nov20 0496 web
N Woo Pt Wells 9 Nov20 0473 web
N Woo Pt Wells 9 Nov20 0433 web

The plant palette in the main garden contrasts purples and blues with textural pops of bright yellow and lime, with glaucous plants such as globe artichoke, festuca and olive. Fuchsia pink lychnis, eupatorium and roses are offset by smokey miscanthus flower heads and the dark, deep reds of sedum and smoke bush.

DSCF6980edit

Floating ramps of Paradise Stone work with the contours of the site to create seamless transitions.

N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0691 web
N Woo XWD Gardens Summer2021 0703 web
Pt Wells lawn sketch

Project details

Key Plants

Achillea filipendulina, Alchemilla mollis, Canna 'Panache', Eupatorium purpureum, Euphorbia wulfenii, Festuca coxii, Foeniculum vulgare, Hydrangea 'Limelight', Limonium perezii, Lychnis coronaria, Miscanthus sinesis 'Morning Light', Olive, Santolini 'Lime Fizz', Salvia luecanthe, Salvia nemerosa, Sedum 'Bertram Anderson', Tulbaghia violacea,

Date

2016 - ongoing

Location

Point Wells
Northland
New Zealand

Maintenance

Justin Hurt

Designers

Xanthe White

Construction

Justin Hurt

Photography

Neeve Woodward

Carme Aguayo

Join Our Newsletter

XANTHE WHITE DESIGN
Auckland Studio
Phone: 09 815 1187
Email: info@xwd.co.nz

XANTHE WHITE DESIGN
Wellington Studio
Email: wellington@xwd.co.nz

© Xanthe White Design