"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of life are never alone,or weary of life. Those who contemplate the beauty of Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." Rachel Carson - The Sense of Wonder 1965
Themed Gardens...
Themed gardens are great! They give us a feeling of being in a different place, there are many ways to be creative and creating a themed garden makes gardening a wondrous journey.
Obviously the climate you live in and the soil you are dealt with will have a major part to play in how wild you can go with your themed garden, but there are always ways around things, and there are always similar looking plants that can have the same effect. That’s where it is important to know your plants, your soil type and whether you can create a micro-climate area in your garden to grow something a little exotic....
Over the years we have designed and implemented, both independently and co-creatively a wide range of different themed garden which has included the following:-
Obviously the climate you live in and the soil you are dealt with will have a major part to play in how wild you can go with your themed garden, but there are always ways around things, and there are always similar looking plants that can have the same effect. That’s where it is important to know your plants, your soil type and whether you can create a micro-climate area in your garden to grow something a little exotic....
Over the years we have designed and implemented, both independently and co-creatively a wide range of different themed garden which has included the following:-
Native, low maintenance, edible food gardens, children's gardens, japanese, coastal gardens, balinese, water gardens, rock gardens,english country, series of rooms, meditation gardens...
NATIVE:Using plants that are endemic to the area, usually areas with poor soil types can have a wonderful looking garden utilising native plants. Care will be taken to ensure climatic conditions are taken in account. Plants that grow inland in the shelter of the forest wouldn’t fair as well out in the salty air of the west coast.
LOW MAINTENANCE:
Plants that thrive with the least amount of care. Owner’s that are particularly busy or have no real interest in gardening, but still enjoy the serenity offered by having an outdoor space. A note here, there will always be an element of maintenance to even a low maintenance garden, whether it is a slight prune or a spray or fertilising of the soil...however when the garden is implemented at the start, extreme care is taken to prepare the soil, whether it is weedmat, mulching, composting and edging, so that it will be a considerable time before any major work is needed to be done.
EDIBLE FOOD GARDENS:
There has been an upsurge in interest, in the growing & harvesting of our own food. People are becoming more responsible for what they eat, as well as the rising cost of food being a contributing factor. There is something really therapeutic about harvesting one’s own produce, and having the knowledge of what went into the soil and onto the plant.
Community gardens are becoming popular in the city where space is at a premium, and people are coming together to share their bountiful crops with each other.
I like to combine fruit trees within the exotic or native garden border, herbs do well as companion plants. Grape vines or passionfruit make a great climber over a pergola... Installing a worm farm or compost heap is vital to recycle the vegetable cuttings and fallen fruit. Having your own edible food garden is a step in the right direction in taking charge of your families health.
CHILDRENS GARDEN:
Children like to believe in the magical and the mystical... they also like to plant their own veggies and make flower altars for their fairy friends and their little animal friends. Depending on the age and the special needs of the child, creating a special little sanctuary for your little one’s can create a happier healthier child, where they can express their creativity or nurture something of their own, whether it’s a little bunny rabbit or guinea pig, a couple of chickens for eggs or their own little veggie patch where they can grow berries, and little quick growing veggies. Sand pits, swings and little wandering tracks can be created, a teddy bears picnic spot, with table and chairs, or a cubby house in a sheltered spot in the garden...the idea’s are endless .
Having a worm farm is fun and educational! It’s great to see the excitement when their worms are multiplying and eating up all the scraps, having a little space set aside within your own garden for the children will set them up to have a healthy responsibility towards the environment, they will be more likely to eat their own harvested veggies too. It’s a win -win situation.
Care is taken to ensure plants used are edible, equipment built using non-toxic materials.
JAPANESE:
Japanese gardens are very serene and combine all the elements, feng-shui principles are taken into account, gravel is used in the landscape as well as plants that are seasonal, showing the changes of season in colour. Water features are usually one of the major elements in a Japanese garden. They are quite suited to the New Zealand climate
COASTAL:
Coastal gardens can be very challenging, but with a bit of preparation and some hardy well thought out plant combinations, a very pleasing garden can be created. There are more than a few NZ Natives that thrive in coastal conditions and can take the full brunt of gale force and salt laden winds.
TROPICAL/BALINESE STYLE:
Having a tropical garden can make your home feel like a holiday resort, Palms, cycas, cannas, bromeliads, lilies, crotons, cordylines, frangipani’s, jasmine, and bougainvillea and a well placed garden sculpture are just a few of the ingredients needed to invoke the feeling of relaxation in a tropical setting
ENGLISH COUNTRY:Wild and abandoned! is the image one gets of an English Country Garden, probably one of the most labour intensive gardens, so I only suggest planting up a country garden if you absolutely love gardening yourself or you have the help to keep it looking good...the maintenance chores in a country garden are endless. They are my favourite kind of garden, with Roses, Herbs, Clipped hedges, statuesque specimen trees, a good compost heap and worm farm is a pre-requisite to keep the soil health ticking along nicely....
A SERIES OF ROOMS:
Creating a garden in a series of rooms is a great idea, when you just can’t decide on a theme. This way you can have a new theme in each room. A few benefits of this, micro-climate’s are created , soil types can differ from one area of the site to another, the needs of individual family members can be taken into account. One can have a children’s garden, a teenage area, edible food garden, a meditation garden, rose garden, acid soil garden, place to hide things...like dustbins, worm farms, washing line, compost etc the options are endless and only limited to your imagination.
MEDITATION GARDEN:
Fill this garden with your plant allies...chamomile, rose, rosemary, sage, valerian, lavender even a little water feature to flow peacefully over rocks. This is where you can rejuvenate, greet the new day, practice your yoga or tai chi, read a book , this is a place where you can just “be”. Surrounded by plants that suit you and nurture your soul.
ROCK & WATER GARDEN:Dry river beds or Water gardens, Bog Gardens or Rainwater gardens or Riparian
Any thing is possible, wildlife retention, beneficial insects, frogs, fish,
Attention to detail and the specific needs of the family are taken into account. Wildlife retention is always paramount, and sustainability is especially important.
Plants are selected individually and eco sourced. Particular attention is focused on the health of the soil, prior to the plants being installed into their new home, so ensuring their longevity.
An after-garden-maintenance programme can be arranged, to ensure the continued health and care of the garden which will include the seasonal maintenance chores.
Call us for a chat.
LOW MAINTENANCE:
Plants that thrive with the least amount of care. Owner’s that are particularly busy or have no real interest in gardening, but still enjoy the serenity offered by having an outdoor space. A note here, there will always be an element of maintenance to even a low maintenance garden, whether it is a slight prune or a spray or fertilising of the soil...however when the garden is implemented at the start, extreme care is taken to prepare the soil, whether it is weedmat, mulching, composting and edging, so that it will be a considerable time before any major work is needed to be done.
EDIBLE FOOD GARDENS:
There has been an upsurge in interest, in the growing & harvesting of our own food. People are becoming more responsible for what they eat, as well as the rising cost of food being a contributing factor. There is something really therapeutic about harvesting one’s own produce, and having the knowledge of what went into the soil and onto the plant.
Community gardens are becoming popular in the city where space is at a premium, and people are coming together to share their bountiful crops with each other.
I like to combine fruit trees within the exotic or native garden border, herbs do well as companion plants. Grape vines or passionfruit make a great climber over a pergola... Installing a worm farm or compost heap is vital to recycle the vegetable cuttings and fallen fruit. Having your own edible food garden is a step in the right direction in taking charge of your families health.
CHILDRENS GARDEN:
Children like to believe in the magical and the mystical... they also like to plant their own veggies and make flower altars for their fairy friends and their little animal friends. Depending on the age and the special needs of the child, creating a special little sanctuary for your little one’s can create a happier healthier child, where they can express their creativity or nurture something of their own, whether it’s a little bunny rabbit or guinea pig, a couple of chickens for eggs or their own little veggie patch where they can grow berries, and little quick growing veggies. Sand pits, swings and little wandering tracks can be created, a teddy bears picnic spot, with table and chairs, or a cubby house in a sheltered spot in the garden...the idea’s are endless .
Having a worm farm is fun and educational! It’s great to see the excitement when their worms are multiplying and eating up all the scraps, having a little space set aside within your own garden for the children will set them up to have a healthy responsibility towards the environment, they will be more likely to eat their own harvested veggies too. It’s a win -win situation.
Care is taken to ensure plants used are edible, equipment built using non-toxic materials.
JAPANESE:
Japanese gardens are very serene and combine all the elements, feng-shui principles are taken into account, gravel is used in the landscape as well as plants that are seasonal, showing the changes of season in colour. Water features are usually one of the major elements in a Japanese garden. They are quite suited to the New Zealand climate
COASTAL:
Coastal gardens can be very challenging, but with a bit of preparation and some hardy well thought out plant combinations, a very pleasing garden can be created. There are more than a few NZ Natives that thrive in coastal conditions and can take the full brunt of gale force and salt laden winds.
TROPICAL/BALINESE STYLE:
Having a tropical garden can make your home feel like a holiday resort, Palms, cycas, cannas, bromeliads, lilies, crotons, cordylines, frangipani’s, jasmine, and bougainvillea and a well placed garden sculpture are just a few of the ingredients needed to invoke the feeling of relaxation in a tropical setting
ENGLISH COUNTRY:Wild and abandoned! is the image one gets of an English Country Garden, probably one of the most labour intensive gardens, so I only suggest planting up a country garden if you absolutely love gardening yourself or you have the help to keep it looking good...the maintenance chores in a country garden are endless. They are my favourite kind of garden, with Roses, Herbs, Clipped hedges, statuesque specimen trees, a good compost heap and worm farm is a pre-requisite to keep the soil health ticking along nicely....
A SERIES OF ROOMS:
Creating a garden in a series of rooms is a great idea, when you just can’t decide on a theme. This way you can have a new theme in each room. A few benefits of this, micro-climate’s are created , soil types can differ from one area of the site to another, the needs of individual family members can be taken into account. One can have a children’s garden, a teenage area, edible food garden, a meditation garden, rose garden, acid soil garden, place to hide things...like dustbins, worm farms, washing line, compost etc the options are endless and only limited to your imagination.
MEDITATION GARDEN:
Fill this garden with your plant allies...chamomile, rose, rosemary, sage, valerian, lavender even a little water feature to flow peacefully over rocks. This is where you can rejuvenate, greet the new day, practice your yoga or tai chi, read a book , this is a place where you can just “be”. Surrounded by plants that suit you and nurture your soul.
ROCK & WATER GARDEN:Dry river beds or Water gardens, Bog Gardens or Rainwater gardens or Riparian
Any thing is possible, wildlife retention, beneficial insects, frogs, fish,
Attention to detail and the specific needs of the family are taken into account. Wildlife retention is always paramount, and sustainability is especially important.
Plants are selected individually and eco sourced. Particular attention is focused on the health of the soil, prior to the plants being installed into their new home, so ensuring their longevity.
An after-garden-maintenance programme can be arranged, to ensure the continued health and care of the garden which will include the seasonal maintenance chores.
Call us for a chat.
