• Before
• After
• The plan
• Plant Schedule, Garden and Construction note

As an example, Jon was asked to come up with a concept and planting plan for Dean & Barbara Winyard in Normandale. They had made a start to develop their garden, but were stuck on what to do with the back part of the section, and had differing points of view.

The back part of the section is on the southern part of the section, with excellent sea views to the south, and views to the river and hills to the east. It is mostly flat, with a bank at the back. The soil was exposed greywacke on the bank.

It had an existing shade house on site. The house had a Tuscan colour theme, and the existing planting had that feeling to it, with clipped hedges, and Mediterranean plants.

We decided that the shade house was ideal to use as a restful outdoor room to sit in, and have hanging baskets and tubs.

The garden as a whole needed a focal point, and a water feature was decided upon. A seated area next to the water feature made from similar coloured rocks was used as a tranquil setting.

There needed to be a connection between this part of the garden and the lower gardens to the left, so a path was included to go to the left. To make use of the sea and river views, a seat on the higher area at the back was suggested.

The paths were made using brick edges and lime chip and shell infill. The paths, garden edges and seat were built by Horokiwi paving.

Lighting was incorporated near the water feature, seat, shadehouse and pathways. This was installed by Water Dynamics, along with the water feature.

The planting was predominantly Mediterranean in style, with plants such as rosemary, lavender, salvia, and santolina. To link with the existing clipped plants, a box and corokia hedge were used, and a standard olive, willow and kowhai were planted.

Jon helped the client buy good quality locally grown plants, laid them out, and the client planted them.