My Garden

I often say to clients that I should carry a photo of my own garden to put them at ease.

Not all gardens have to be prisine and neat. Some can be wild, easy and rich in biodiversity.

A wild rural garden using native plants and long grass beside transluscent conmtemporary architecture.

My garden is made of 4 things:

Densely planted, locally native trees and shrubs capable of growing above and shading out the weeds to create a maintenance free, eclogically rich garden. This supports local fauna, provides privacy and creates an atmosphere that resonates with the landscape context.
We started with 5 existing semi-mature tōtara & kāhikatea, and have since planted over 1000 native trees in 5 years. This is our favourite activity and it will never stop.
Modest cut lawn spaces for flexible family use within large meadows of long grass yet to be planted. This minimises mowing time and the use of petro-chemicals while supporting local fauna and polination of fruit trees.
Fruit and nut trees to support self sufficiency.
Covered and uncovered decks to suit any season that connect the living areas and sit above the ground requiring zero maintenance .

An outdoor scene with a grassy field and yellow wildflowers, two large trees with green foliage, cloudy sky, and a bathtub filled with water in the foreground.

Green trees against a blue sky, and part of a silver metallic building with a round, ribbed tank.

Wild grasses and flowers growing along the side of a building with a corrugated metal wall, with trees visible in the background.

The large roof of the outer shell captures rainwater stored in steel tanks for domestic use and crop irrigation.

A field filled with yellow and white flowers in front of a silver barn, surrounded by green trees and hills under a bright blue sky.

Yellow wildflowers growing next to a wooden walkway in a grassy field with trees in the background.

A honey bee on a white and pink flower, surrounded by green leaves and pink buds.

A Monarch butterfly perched on white flowers surrounded by green leaves and tall plants, with a blurred background of trees and sky.

An organic edible garden scene with apple blossom, green grass, and a cloudy sky at sunset.

Apple tree with ripe red and green apples growing among green leaves in a backyard orchard.

Green oranges growing on a tree branch surrounded by green leaves.

Sunlit grassy field with tall grass on the left and freshly mowed grass on the right, bordered by green trees in the background.

View of a wooden deck with hanging wicker chair, small yellow side table, potted plant, and lush green trees in a bright outdoor setting under a blue sky with clouds.

A grassy field with tall green grass in the foreground, a line of trees in the background, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

View from a wooden porch overlooking a lush green landscape with tall trees and a cloudy sky.

Indoor patio with wooden floor, yellow chairs around a large wooden table, a hanging egg-shaped chair, and a black and white dog walking in the foreground. The patio has a metal roof and large windows showing green trees outside.

The house was concieved by Patchwork Architecture and co-designed with me and my family to explore a low-cost alternative to traditional housing which epmhasises sustainability and connection to the garden and natural world.

A contemporary home designed by Patchwork Architects using transluscent cladding and timber pods for living either side of a large deck set against the night sky.

A modern home using translucent walls backlit with pink light, set against a starry night sky with trees in a garden designed by Mark Newdick in the background.