Castle Rock: Landscape Design & Planting Project
Location: Castle Rock
Designer: Chris Ballantyne - Second Nature
Implementation: Second Nature
Completed: 2020
Sustainability and a desire to restore the integrity of the local environment shaped Second Nature's approach to this landscape project in Castle Rock. What was once a barren, neglected landscape became a vibrant coastal native garden through our in-house design and planting teams. This project brought the client's vision to life and marked the beginning of a long rehabilitation journey.
Situated on the edge of Whangarei Harbour, the site enjoys a view of Mount Manaia to the north. An old Pohutukawa rests at the peak. As an ancient but living reminder of the coastal forest that once defined the environment there, Second Nature faced the ambitious task of rejuvenating the landscape. In addition to supporting the broader environment, the refreshed landscape would need to complement the house's architecture and provide shelter and privacy.
The planting design required extensive planning to build and sustain a native revegetation project and craft a more domesticated native garden. A mix of native trees and large drifts of native shrubs and groundcovers created organic boundaries. The garden was planted in layers, creating a canopy that allows a natural humus layer to form, an important foundation for future flora and fauna to thrive. In years to come, biodiversity will continue to return.
Bringing nature into the garden
Second Nature's work began with an assessment of the land. Stripped bare by decades of farming on unstable and poorly compacted clay soils, this project's scope required significant earthworks. After the site was reinstated following the construction phase, precise contouring was required to restore natural landforms and prepare the site for creating pedestrian pathways. One of the client's key priorities was facilitating easy access to key destinations, such as the beach nearby. These pathways were informed by the routes taken by livestock, which, over the years, chose the most convenient way to navigate the land.
One of the most important paths established was between the carpark and the house overlooking the harbour. The clients wanted to gradually immerse themselves in nature and leave their professional lives behind on a barefoot nature walk to end the day.
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Creating gardens that support biodiversity and restore the environment
Registered Master Landscapers
Second Nature are Registered Master Landscapers, which provides assurance to our clients that our work and business practices have consistently achieved the required best practice and adhere to the Registered Master Landscapers code of conduct.
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