top of page

23-24 NOVEMBER 2024

2022 Garden 11 - Mt Eden

Location

Mt Eden

Designer(s)

Design Brief

Being an artist, my Client had a vision, her brief to me at our first meeting was… “I want a Wild Garden”.  I swallowed and thought okay!  We gelled immediately, I could see her vision - colour, texture and layers.  We used billowing perennials and big bold colours, a long way from the lush cool greens and clean lines of my other designs…  My goal was to create a garden that reflected her vibrant beautiful personality.


A wedding for their Son and his fiancé was on the horizon, March 2020.  When I visited in August 2019, the existing rear garden was bland and tired, the deck that lead from the family areas was narrow and not usable for entertaining.  The interior of the house was a complete contrast.  Bright, warm and welcoming.


Art played a huge part of this design, the garden evolved around and is based on the art.  New artwork was positioned strategically so it could be enjoyed from various aspects, from inside the house and the garden.  I designed a paved area outside the family kitchen to entertain, eat meals alfresco or just to relax.  A connection between the garden, the outdoor space and house was made.   Slightly more formal planting was planned in this area, Salvia Black and Boom, Buxus Balls and soft geranium Rozanne.   The Wild Garden Diane wanted, vegetable planters and a bird bath was to be positioned at the end of the lawn but needed to be viewed and enjoyed from the entertaining area.


Many plants were kept from the original garden, particularly special plants from family gardens.  Vegetable planters positioned near the clothesline, this left plenty of space for cricket on the long lawn.  


Malus and Prunus Trees were added, masses of bellowing perennials along the northern boundary.  In the Wild Garden we transplanted goodies from the old garden, the neighbouring house was screened by using huge colourful cannas and contrasting Taro, Vireyas and structural Artichokes.


Overtime we have made changes to the balance of the gardens, added Ligularia reniformis and Philodendron to the southern side and in the western garden we have replaced some old flax with a lovely mass of Oioi.


Sadly, the wedding was postponed due to the pandemic.  Though, the garden is well loved and enjoyed daily.


The garden was featured in a story about Resene colours used in gardens - check out this link: 


https://www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/news-articles/explore-some-of-aucklands-best-gardens-at-the-auckland-garden-designfest



Design: Val Puxty Landscape Design.

Installation: Val Puxty Landscape Design. Harrison Landscaping.

Plants: Palmers Gardenworld Remuera


Photographic Images: Carme Aguayo Photography