From the gully to garden | Creating a native haven at home in Wellington

Landscape architecture by Louise Dunning Morrow, Noble Fox.

Inspired by the regeneration in their neighbouring gully, a family have set out to transform their garden into a sanctuary for native birds and plants. They envisioned a space where nature thrives alongside daily life, bringing the serenity of the wild right to their doorstep.

To achieve this, Louise from Noble Fox, and her construction team, tackled several challenges head-on. They integrated a central fireplace as a welcoming hub for family gatherings and discreetly incorporated a spa pool into the landscape. Navigating the property’s sloped terrain, they constructed retaining walls and pathways, creating functional areas for a vegetable garden and clothesline while maintaining a natural flow.

The result is a blend of beauty and practicality that honours the original 1950s character of the home. Native plantings now flourish throughout the garden, attracting birdlife and creating a peaceful retreat that perfectly suits both the family’s lifestyle and their love for New Zealand’s natural heritage.

The Brief

These New Zealand homeowners envisioned their garden to be a sanctuary for native birds and plants. They loved the natural regeneration occurring in the adjacent gully and the presence of bird life there. So they wanted to have a garden that would attract such species into their own garden, and be a home for them to thrive in.

A fireplace was to be at the centre of the backyard – a social hub for family and the children’s friends to spend time. Some careful consideration was required to integrate a spa pool into this area in a subtle and natural way.

Adjacent to the social vibe of the back garden, the homeowners wanted their front garden (the entrance to the property) to feel more secluded and designed to be a safe enclosure for their dog.

The sloped terrain in the back garden posed a design challenge for Louise and her team, along with the inclusion of a vegetable garden, clothesline, and a retaining wall that descended into a gully.

The Transformation

For the construction and development of the garden, Sole Landscapes were in charge, starting from the back and moving to the front. They established multiple retaining walls and installed stairs that integrated with the existing structures, forming a deck and tiled terrace, which achieved a flat lawn space. Large concrete slabs were laid to create a path that seamlessly guides visitors throughout the garden.

Native plant species were introduced to encourage native species to inhabit the garden. These plants were carefully selected, with the placement of them planned for in a way that also complemented the style of the home and did not appear out of place.

The garden and design features have evolved the space to something that now aligns perfectly with the house layout, featuring more logical circulation and an updated design from the original 1950s style.

The overall style of the garden is sophisticated, maintaining the character of the house in a contemporary classic manner.

The Result

Louise shares that the owners are thrilled with the transformation and overall feel, enjoying the garden’s beauty and manageability, making it a delightful space for both relaxation and gardening.

The entire area now boasts a cohesive layout, with plantings and design features that perfectly align with the house’s charm and style. The garden has evolved from its original 1950s design to a contemporary aesthetic that meets the homeowners’ visions and complements the property’s overall character.