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March in the garden Autumn is really here now, although last week it felt like winter. I have always said autumn is the best season for gardening, so let’s hope I am still right. I am having trouble countering my smart relatives in Auckland, who tell me every day there is sunny and balmy at…

New garden in harsh Wellington coastal conditions includes succulents like blue Senecio, Agave attenuata; Mediterranean plants like lavender, rosemary and olives; and NZ natives like a cabbage tree. Always use a good quality container mix and a watering system plus use spacers underneath the containers to help with drainage.

This site was typical of Wellington, with a sloping bank above the house. The clients wanted to build a garage and we were there to build walls, fences, gates, steps, pathways, and gardens. There were numerous holdups including getting the digout done, issues with boundaries and neighbours and revised plans via council – all to…

I designed this front entrance, and the clients managed the build based on the plan & specs. The entrance is now clearer and secure, and looks very smart.

This is a garden we planted three years ago in a coastal area in Mana. Note the Echium candicans with blue spike like flowers is looking spectacular, as are the Ligularia, tractor seat plants with the large glossy leaves to the left. Once the echium flowered they needed replacing, as even though a perennial (…

Now its winter, what can you do in the garden?   Frosts: Your frost tender plants will need protection. Vegetables can be covered in a cloche, while tender ornamentals can have frost cloth put over them. Ideally build a greenhouse! I have just built mine. General: You can use old leaves make an excellent material for…

Using well constructed coloured aluminium planters made by Ulrich Aluminium with matching pots. Hrdy natives have been used eg Hebe, Grisleinia, Lobelia, Xeronema, Senecio. Automatic irrigation has been used and spike lighting in the pots.

Spring Newsletter: Attracting Birds in the garden Since we have been locked down recently and last year a common comment is the bird life seems to be more active. It may be because there is less background noise or the birds feel freer to move about. A lot of my clients ask how can I…