It’s not every day you get to start a garden from scratch - the upshot of a new build is you get to create a look that fits perfectly with your new home. To transform a blank slate into instant lush vibes (and make your neighbour’s green with envy) follow these landscaping tips:
Establish structure
The first place to start is creating structure with hard-landscaping such as pergolas, retaining walls and pathways. It’s the base layer that creates a functional garden and also makes a home feel more established and lived in.
Invest in statement trees
A few carefully selected mature trees can make your home feel like it’s always been there. Plus, it’ll give you a good head start on providing shade for summer.
Large Foliage Plants
Incorporate large leaf plants such as banana trees or elephant ears that make the garden feel exotic and dense. Full-bodied bushy plants such as hydrangeas add depth.
Layer up
Create a depth by combining tall plants with mid-height grasses and lower-level ground cover. Working with three layers is a good rule of thumb for creating visual harmony.
Create privacy
Choosing fast growing plants, such as griselinias, for hedging is important in new subdivisions. Climbing vines fill vertical spaces creating a lush backdrop and privacy.
Accessorise baby!
Extra-large pot plants clustered together add fullness and dimension. Feature rocks, water fountains or fire pits add instant ambience.
Local insights
Most importantly, work with mother nature by selecting plants that are suited to your region – this will give you the best chance of producing an established look faster.
Generation Homes offers each build a ‘starter garden’, which gives you the option of working with a landscape designer to personalise your garden.
Customers: Larry & Rosie Graham, Taupo