It is Easter Saturday as I write this column, (I normally always write them on a Saturday morning each week) and for the last 3 days I have not watered any of my gardens or container plants – including those in my glasshouse. This is not because we have had lots of rain, in fact […]
The size and shape of planting areas are basic to the success of planting. Because of its visual softness, grass can occupy bigger areas than paving without looking bleak, but too much open grass without some definition and enclosure does give a sense of emptiness (rather than spaciousness). There are many locations where paving is […]
Sculpture and other architectural structures give the lighting designer the opportunity to work with materials that, given the right treatment, can produce dramatic and stunning night time effects. Sculptures typically serve as a vocal point and as such will generally require a greater light level than the other elements in the garden. As always there […]
Extreme conditions demand a quality solution. So when the owners of this stunning high country estate looked to highlight the outside of their magnificent brick clad home, the choice of light fixtures was simple. In this case study we take a break from landscape lighting and look at how HUNZA lights were employed to light […]
We Kiwis love our gardens. Apparently, gardening itself is still one our most popular pastimes. However, despite surveys suggesting the contrary, more and more of us are opting for the ‘do-it-for-me’ approach. We want our homes to look as smart and stylish on the outside as they do indoors, and increasingly, we’re just as happy […]
Stress in plants is very similar to stress in people. When we are under stress our immune systems are weakened and we are more likely to catch colds and have other health issues. Stress in humans comes with side effects, such as being unable to get a good night’s sleep; rushed meals or fast foods […]
March 1st is officially the beginning of autumn and a signal to vege gardeners that we are moving onto the next season. No no no! I’m not ready to start thinking about soups and stews yet! Hopefully it will be a long summer like last year. Have you noticed little brown moths on your beans […]
March is the first calendar month of autumn and a great time to garden. We are about two months past the longest day and just about four months before the shortest day, and one can certainly notice the shortening hours of daylight. This time of the year brings the autumn rain which a number of areas […]
