A walk in the park smelling the roses

What: Private garden
Where: Mangawhai Kaipara/Northland
Size: 5 Acres
Soil and climate: Good topsoil, clay base. 
Windy and exposed from all sides
Aspect: North facing high up
Pests and weeds: Kikuyu, ex-farm, gorse and thistle, ink weed, rabbits.

Planted numbers: 9000 natives including grasses. 20 citrus, 80 other fruit trees consisting of apples, crab apples, plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, feijoas, guavas, avocados, almonds, persimmon, figs, and pears plus 150 deciduous specimen trees such as oaks, claret ash, and copper beeches

Design brief and overview:

With beautiful views of farmland out to the sand dunes and sea including an established Totara block and sheltered lower area.

The client wanted a large, low-maintenance, private garden that she would be able to enjoy for the next 30 years. She wanted an emphasis on orchards, avenues, and specimen trees and was seeking a ‘park-like feel’.  She is an avid gardener, loves her roses and perennials and enjoys watching things grow. It has all happened very quickly with growth from the natives up to head height in 1 year. This is an ongoing project with many more exciting ideas to come.