Discovering Botanical Colours

 

I can't believe that it has been so long since my last blog -just highlights how busy life is and how it is often hard to fit in the small moments of reflection...

I've started 2013 off with the hope of rectifying that - beginning by reconnecting with nature and the stunning beauty of the plant kingdom.  Immersed for five days in a workshop by inspirational textile artist India Flint in the moody bush and mist clad hills of Titirangi.  Not only has the workshop reminded me of the myriad qualities of plants that grow all around us but it has allowed me time to reflect on the year that has been and in particular the year to come.  

India's workshop so far has been an amazing and totally absorbing immersion in the world of plant dyes and eco-prints using only plants, water and heat.

The best way to describe the joy of discovering the incredible beauty that exists within the cells of plants is through the photos of the experiments that I have produced so far on the workshop with the gentle, funny and wise guidance of India.

Firstly we explore our local bioregion and put together a parcel of windfall plant treasures.  A bowl of dye is created using local plants ready for the parcels.

 

Heat is added and the parcels 'bubble and boil'...

Then the truely exciting part - the opening of the parcel and the discovery of what wonderful marks have been made on the fabric from the plant material - it's like opening up the soul of a plant and hearing its whispers...

Every piece of fabric is unique and utterly intoxicating in its beauty - i've fallen totally in love all over again with the botanical world and been given a unique opportunity to discover yet another reason why we should all adore our botanical cousins  - thank you India for such a special journey!

And they just keep getting better and better...

I can't wait to see what the remainder of the workshop will reveal.

King Fern Magic

A recent trip to Rarotonga showcased the stunning form of ferns when I discovered a valley on the cross-island walking track full of ancient king ferns.

The king fern Ptisana salicina is found throughout the South Pacific and Australia, but is in severe decline due to impacts of pigs and other introduced species which destroy the plants.

It is the most stunning plant, with fronds up to 5 m wide and tall enough to walk underneath - but it's the saucer sized unfurling fronds which captivate me.  I'll aim to try and grow one in my garden at home, just to be able to experience that beauty on a regular basis.

Buckleton Beach Garden Update

Six months on, the coastal garden at Buckleton Beach (which includes a living roof) has grown really well.  

The planting plan was simple and aimed to create a strong frontage of hardy, easily maintained species for this holiday home with room to park the boat and for visual interest when viewed from the deck above.

The mix of native and the occasional Australian ground cover (to link with existing large gum tree in front yard) have grown well and should in time reflect relatively well the original concept.  The photo below is a conceptual montage of what we imagined the front terrace might look like.

This photo below shows the scenario six months after planting - not bad.

The living roof is doing really well with most plants surviving the summer and spreading across the roof to create a striped carpet of hardy coastal natives.

and what a stunning location made even more special with the use of coastal species which fit with the context of the garden.

Courtyard Garden

The design concept for this garden aimed at creating a tranquil and private courtyard and entry space which leads visitors to the main house entrance while also providing a usable area for seating and play (particularly in the morning).

The concept builds on the existing strong structure of plaster walls which create individual planting beds. These create an edge to the courtyard and help to soften the hard paved space in the central area.  The planting palette focuses on a limited easily maintained range of plants which will form a strong structural element to the space.  A contrast in textures is achieved by use of the rounded shapes of the golf ball pittosporum and the strap like leaves of the Xeronema.  

These strong textures are then softened by the soft star jasmine and snow in summer plants which are interspersed throughout the garden beds.  

The colour palette picks up on the grey and white tones of the house and focuses on shades of green and grey with white flowers and occasional drama supplied by the splashes of red of the xeronema when it flowers.  

The hard surfaces are a mix of large rectangular pavers which assist in leading the visitor to the front door and white gravel mix which allows for a softening effect to the paved area while still being usable by the clients.  Feature olive trees provide a soft open screening of the bedroom spaces at ground level while still allowing light into these rooms. They also assist in delineating the movement of visitors to the steps and up to front entry rather than trying to access through the bedroom doors.  Feature pots provide sculptural form and additional softening within the hard space.  

A feature diamond trellis is provided on the timber fence and garage wall to create a further interest and to soften those hard elements.  This feature will be softened over time with the flowering star jasmine which will climb the wires and create a vegetated diamond pattern against the wall. 

Community Driven Design & Development Guide

I've been working with another local landscape architect, Geraldine Bayley on a Design and Development Guideline for our local village of Kaukapakapa.  It is a privilege to be working on a community driven project (Kaukapakapa Area Residents and Ratepayers) and to have had such great input from the local community.

The image above is of the draft concept for an entry sign for the village which I developed based on the feedback and input of locals and their desire to see the meaning of the Kaukapakapa name being used as inspiration for branding of the village.

You can find out more about the project and where it is all at the KARRA website and at the following website link on the details of the project, www.kaukapakapa-design.com

Check out this interview on my collaborative living roof research project featured on the Animal Architecture website.  This interview was a result of our team receiving an honorable mention in this International competition  ://www.animalarchitecture.org/interview-prosthetic-lizard-homes/  

Ellerslie Flower Show Inspiration

I have just come back from two wonderful days of judging at the Ellerslie Flower Show in Christchurch.  The show this year was spectacular with a variety of very different  gardens and some wonderful planting palettes which ranged from whimsical and natural to bold and joyful.  Here are some of my show highlights which will inspire future planting choices...

A riotous mix of burnt orange and deep purples is a very vibrant but effective tapestry in the garden by LA's Fiona Greig and Jocelyn Mahoney.

A soft and feathery white effect using Gaura in a garden by Sandi MacRae.

Contrasts with the silver, yellow and white of plants and glass sculptural water features.

A simple yet bold pot display.

A deep red and purple planting scheme in Xanthe Whites garden adds drama to a soft palette of Omaru Stone and pumice.

With a water feature back-dropped by a green wall.

A bold and very innovative garden by Paul Roper-Gee - I particularly liked the mix of natives and weed species as a statement about NZ's blended landscapes and feral botanical legacy.

And last but not least - my personal favorite - a 'gone to seed' vegetable garden by Rachael Matthews.

With a inspirational use of old flax flowers for tepee poles in the vege patch.