Leafy Place Garden Design

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Professional landscape design in New Plymouth. On-site consultations, garden concepts, scaled drawings, planting plans, planting and maintenance services.

We'll help you create a more beautiful and functional garden.

01/10/2026

Let a tree take centre stage! Every garden needs a star and two of my favorites for a spring flower show are Rhododendron Arboreum and the Kowhai tree. A tree's canopy creates a feeling of sanctuary, and the flowers - wow. They put on a show you'll look forward to every year. This Kowhai (Sophora Microphylla) is the first thing I planted at my home in New Plymouth seven years ago, and will likely grow another few metres tall. Tuis love the nectar of their golden flowers, attracting quite a few birds to my garden. The Rhododendrons, a small tree originating in Asia, like our cool temperate climate in Taranaki. These bloom profusely in Pukekura Park.

25/08/2026

Spring garden flower combo of the month: fragrant white flowers of this Michela Bubbles tree brighten a shady corner. It's charming next to the creamy flower clusters and gold new leaves of a Pieres Temple Bells. In time the tree will screen the view of the neighbour's shed - a big advantage in a suburban New Plymouth garden! Got a garden needing a freshen up? Message us for a garden design or some tips with your planting scheme.

05/08/2026

Dress your garden to impress!

With masses of colour, this new garden provides a cheerful welcome to a retirement home. The original hebes were looking a bit tired and I was asked to freshen up the space. The residents love flowers, and the corporate guidelines specified neat borders and dense plant spacings for impact. Winter limited the options, however cyclamen were available in abudance. The design encorporates 150 Cyclamen in bright pinks and whites, blue pansies, young Pittosporum balls flanking a new hedge of Eunonymus emerald gem, plus a few Agapanthus agapetite for texture.

If you are looking to improve your garden with thoughtful design, please let me know at [email protected]

03/07/2026

Right plant right place – choosing plants for our climate
How did your garden fare in the storm? We’ve seen plenty of damage in New Plymouth from the winds. Last month I’d luckily removed a couple overgrown Magnolia teddy bear trees that were uncomfortably close to the house. It’s sad cutting down a healthy tree, but those crazy winds are a reminder that the best policy is right plant, right place – choose plants that can tolerate the conditions and keep to a manageable size. In our temperate Taranaki climate, plants can get big fast, and it’s very labour intensive and expensive to keep them under control.
If you’d like help freshening up your garden let me know. And here’s a tip – coastal natives are well suited for our climate and easy to maintain. Think Manuka, Coprosmas, various sizes of flaxes, native tussocks and shrubs like Corokia, Griselenia, and Pittosporums.

30/05/2026

Need some seasonal colour in your garden? Take some inspiration from the photos below, from the Te Henui Cemetery garden in New Plymouth. As a garden designer I often check out gardens like this for ideas! Shout out to the volunteers and staff who tend this garden gem. Starring this month are maple trees, chrysanthemums, and Mexican feather grass, backed by the stately evergreen yews and Kauri trees.

03/05/2026

Most New Plymouth gardens have a small area that is easily transformed with a bit of colour and structure. Here are a few ideas. The bronze leaf begonias and pink New Guinea Impatiens have bloomed for months in dappled shade. A pittosporum in a tall pot graces a narrow spot by the garage. A narrow hedge of boxed Abelia grandiflora pairs well with Corten Steel garden ornaments.

20/04/2026

A change of plants refreshed the entry to this home with texture and colour. In the before picture, the plants are too low and scruffy to feel welcoming. In the after photo, a palm and light green Pittosporums contrast nicely with the darker leafed Hebes and Loropetalum. Varied heights also add interest, with taller plants flanking the doorway. I enjoy creating a whole new look for a garden, and this is a good example of doing so without costly structural changes. A couple of these plants will eventually outgrow the space and will be updated with smaller specimens. Everything grows so fast in Taranaki!

Address

Fitzroy Road
New Plymouth
4312

Telephone

+64211789770

Website

http://www.leafyplace.co.nz/

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