How do you create an outdoor space that works in all seasons - and still looks great?

This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who are currently working in the industry

ONE SQUARE RATE

Interviewee: Celia Popkin – Design Manager

Location: Christchurch

Staff: 32

It’s important for an outdoor space to be visually appealing but also practical. Both these principles (form and function) need to be considered regarding the seasons. It’s also important to try to design a landscape that’s as climate-adaptable as possible, especially with variable weather patterns.

Aesthetically speaking, autumn and summer colour, winter structure and spring flowers are key seasonal elements to use in a garden.

It’s important to be able to enjoy the spaces, ensuring outdoor living areas are protected from the harsh New Zealand sun and prevailing winds, and that visual links are created from inside the home to outside.

Water use is also an increasingly significant factor that needs to be considered, as is choosing climate-appropriate plant species.

As section sizes reduce, it is harder to balance enough soft landscaping areas with hardstand areas. People still want hardstand areas for outdoor living, which is where decking or permeable concrete or paving is beneficial.

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JUNIPER LANDSCAPES

Interviewee: Matt Bodnar - Director

Location: Wellington

Staff: 4

I always say that planting has a huge part to play in making outdoor areas suitable for all seasons.

What you plant will vary from region to region – but it’s always a safe bet to work with a lot of natives, as they’ll blend well with most environments.

If we’re building decks, we’ll sometimes use a composite timber to save on wear and tear to keep it looking great for longer, but that can get hot in summer.

To combat that, we’ll make sure the deck receives enough shade, so it doesn’t get too hot. If that’s not possible, we’ll use a hardwood timber such as kwila.

We also like to design pergolas or use hedging to provide shade and act as a windbreak, which is especially important in Wellington.

On every property, the work is a little different – because you need to take into account where the sun starts and ends the day and whether there’s

a predominant wind.

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BY DESIGN CONCRETE Interviewee: Peter Robinson – Sales Director

Location: Auckland

Staff: 35

Firstly, you listen to your clients’ requirements for what they are expecting from the space in all seasons – as all areas are unique and so is the way people use them.

You base your design around that, focusing on all the elements and surroundings.

In Auckland, we are experiencing heavier rainfall, which has influenced our design choices – particularly regarding drainage and water runoff.

This is what led us to introduce Permcon permeable concrete to New Zealand, which Firth manufactures under licence for us. We also use a select range of permeable paving in our work.

We’re seeing a growing trend, where clients expect more elaborate, customised design work to use all year round that reflects their unique vision and the character of the space.

Again, we just listen to the customers and, because we have many years’ experience, as well as current market knowledge, we are well equipped to deliver great landscaping choices that the client may not have thought of.