The garden that followed them home
— Point Wells, New Zealand
A magical garden finds a balance between endless imagination and limitations. The conversation between client and designer sets these boundaries.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
Floating ramps of Paradise Stone work with the contours of the site to create seamless transitions.
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
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