Landscape design by Kirsten Sach, Kirsten Sach Landscape Design
In Auckland’s suburb of Remuera, landscape designer Kirsten Sach was enlisted to create a thoughtfully designed outdoor space for homeowner Catherine David and her partner.
Overlooking an estuary, this garden design connects the home to its surroundings with floating circular ‘lily pad’ decks and coastal planting. Inspired by the tidal landscape, the design creates a peaceful retreat while supporting a thriving ecosystem.
With a keen eye for design — reflected in her own interior design business — homeowner Catherine played an active role in shaping the vision for the garden. Kirsten developed landscape design plans, working closely with Catherine to develop an outdoor space that complements her style and enhances the property’s green spaces.
The Brief
With the house positioned above an estuary, the homeowners wanted a garden that not only provided access to the water but also offered a peaceful spot to sit and take in the view.
The space needed to be visually appealing from the elevated perspective of the house while feeling like a natural extension of its surroundings. Inspired by the idea of a jetty, they envisioned a structure that would sit lightly on the landscape, creating an inviting pathway down to the water’s edge. Practicality was also a key consideration, with access needed for launching kayaks at high tide.
The Transformation
From the outset, landscape designer Kirsten was drawn to the organic shapes of the mossy, grass-covered islands that emerge just above the waterline at low tide. These natural forms influenced the initial design, with rounded decking that appeared to float above the native reeds and marginal water plants.
With some input from homeowner, Catherine, the concept was able to be refined even further, resulting in a series of circular decks that step down like lily pads, lightly touching the landscape while providing a unique way to move through the space. Steps lead down from the upper level to these floating decks, with the lower platform allowing easy access for kayaks at high tide.
Carefully selected planting enhances the connection between the garden and the estuary. Mass plantings of Apodasmia similis (Oioi) thrive in the salty, tidal environment, creating a natural transition between land and water. Higher up, Lomandra grasses form a soft green carpet, while yellow-flowering iris emerge in spring, adding seasonal colour.
In the warmer months, red Canna lilies bring vibrant contrast to the lush greenery, while Strelitzia nicolai and a selection of palms introduce striking vertical structure. Sculptural elements also add to the garden’s unique character, with eel sculptures woven among the reeds and grasses, reinforcing the connection to the water beyond.
The Result
The completed garden has transformed the space into a peaceful retreat, where the floating ‘lily pad’ decks provide the perfect spot to unwind among the reeds and marginal plants. From the elevated house above, the design naturally draws the eye — and the onlooker — down through the garden towards the water’s edge, creating a strong connection between the home and its surroundings.
Beyond its visual appeal, the garden has also fostered a thriving ecosystem, attracting birds and insects — with the perfect place to sit, watch and listen to all that goes on in the garden.
Key Plant List:
- Apodasmia similis (Oioi)
- Canna ‘Panache’
- Coprosma repens ‘Poor Knights’
- Lomandra ‘Tanika’
- Macropiper Melchior (Offshore Island Kawakawa)
- Muehlenbeckia complexa ‘Pohuehue’
- Iris
- Canna ‘Rangitoto’
- Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise)
