Welcome to the story of this Karaka family garden. A project that allowed us to blend the warmth of a countryside character villa with the practicality of a productive garden, to create an entertainers dream. From the outset, the potential to create a space that not only reflected their lifestyle but also elevated a sense of place was evident.
The design journey began with a simple backyard sketch and a conversation about what truly mattered to their family. Their wish for a relaxing environment became the foundation for every design choice. Together we shaped the role of a glasshouse and hardwood raised planters as the productive core, while English country garden specimen trees brought gentle formality to the wider landscape.
Sustainability was naturally woven through the design as we focused on replacing a diseased shelter-belt with a low maintenance native hedge, ensuring long-term resilience and a healthier ecological edge. As with all our design, build and maintain projects, client collaboration guided both the detail and the spirit of the work.
What stands today is a living, breathing extension of the families daily rituals. Cooking dinner on the wood burner BBQ has become a gathering moment, and picking vegetables from the garden brings a grounding simplicity to each day. Planting that frames views toward the surrounding pastures adds depth and calm, while the selection of deciduous specimen trees brings seasonal movement across the 1200m² planting area.
The heart of outdoor living unfolds beneath the large open pergola, where a wood burner fireplace, purpleheart decking, and a statement Liquidambar Topiary create a memorable focal point. A feature English oak anchors the lawn, surrounded by a mix of native and exotic shrubs, flaxes and grasses, alongside citrus varieties and a selection of groundcover that add softness and durability.
Multi zone irrigation supplied by bore water ensures the garden thrives with quiet efficiency, keeping this family garden flourishing year-round. Continued care is provided through GreensceneNZ Landscapes Quarterly Care Plan, supporting the garden as it matures with grace.
Photo Credit: Mark Scowen Photography