Balancing visual and environmental performance is no easy feat – but Blue Mountain Nurseries has some tips! Trees have always done the heavy lifting in any landscape. They provide structure, shelter and a sense of permanence that smaller plants can’t match. Increasingly, they’re also being considered for what they contribute environmentally as well as visually. For landscapers, that doesn’t mean changing direction. It’s about being deliberate with the trees we’re already usin

Trees are integral to our health and the environment. They stabilise the soil, support wildlife and sequester carbon – as well as adding colour and interest to outdoor spaces in all seasons. In this article, horticulture expert Rebecca Hughes from Blue Mountain Nurseries discusses the best trees for small spaces Firstly, trees of all sizes are best planted in autumn and winter. However, if water is available, you can plant all year round. That being said, there are a few thin

A friend from the South Island recently asked me about planting near pools, as her partner was in the process of building one on their property It got me thinking. In this case, the pool is surrounded by large evergreen native trees. While we often think of deciduous trees as big leaf droppers, all trees drop leaves to varying degrees. One example is Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa). While you shouldn’t have these trees anywhere near buildings or structures due to their ver

The Kiwi backyard is a space for bringing people together to play, relax and eat. In Part 2 of this series, Rebecca Hughes looks at apple trees – an all-time favourite for adding life-enhancing sustenance to outdoor spaces There are a wide variety of edible fruits to pick from, but none as dependably delicious as the apple (Malus domestica). Apples first came to New Zealand with the missionary Samuel Marsden in 1819 and now there are thousands of varieties available. While o

Choosing trees is as much about foresight as it is about aesthetics. In this expert guide, Jon Muller explains how selecting the right species – and siting it carefully – can turn potential problems into long-term landscape assets When I visit more established gardens, there are often large trees on site. However, they are regularly not suitable for the location in terms of their size and position in the landscape. Estate agents love to say ‘location, location, location’ – an

The Kiwi backyard is a space for bringing people together to play, relax – and eat. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Rebecca Hughes...

Invasive weeds can destroy the most carefully planned and executed garden – and blight the whole neighbourhood! In this article,...

While we tend to think of landscaping as a purely visual aesthetic, interpreting layers of colour and texture, our sense of smell can...

Gardens can be created from a wide or limited colour palette. In this article, Rebecca Hughes from Blue Mountain Nurseries shares some...