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5 Reasons Why Plunge Pools Are Perfect For Outdoor Spaces

Plunge pools are growing in popularity for various reasons, but mainly due to the fact that they are faster and easier to install than traditional larger pools. On top of this, they are excellent for properties with limited outdoor space, which is becoming more common in Auckland. They are perfect for relaxing, wading, and water play, and share many similarities to a traditional pool. Our blog features images from Tiny Pools, a New Zealand owned and operated company who create beautiful con...

10 Balcony Garden Plants Every Home Owner Must Have

Including plants on your balcony is a rewarding endeavour that brings numerous benefits to both your living space and well-being. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, balcony plants contribute to improved air quality, reduced stress levels, and a connection to nature. Choosing the right plants can significantly simplify the care routine, making the entire experience enjoyable rather than burdensome. By carefully selecting plants that align with your balcony's specific conditions, you not only enhance th...

An 8 Step Guide To Choosing Plants For Your Bach Garden

When it comes to creating a beautiful and thriving garden for your holiday home in the North Island of New Zealand, selecting the right plants is crucial. The unique climate and soil conditions of the region call for a thoughtful approach to ensure your bach garden remains lush and vibrant year-round. In this 8-step guide, we'll take you through the process of choosing plants that not only survive but flourish in the North Island's environment....

9 Garden Trends to Transform Your Kiwi Oasis in 2024

As we embark on a new gardening era in Aotearoa, it's time to infuse fresh inspiration into our outdoor spaces. Whether cultivating a blossoming haven in Auckland or nurturing a serene retreat in Dunedin, these nine garden trends will elevate your home oasis to new heights in 2024. Get ready to dig in, Kiwi gardeners!...

10 of The Best Bird Attracting Trees

If you have been keeping up with the Sculpt Gardens blog, you will be familiar with our most recent article "How To Design A Bird-Friendly Garden". In this blog, we covered in-depth why you should consider a bird-friendly garden and the benefits of having a beautiful garden that you and our feathered friends can both enjoy.  As well as improving mental health,  the presence of birds in our gardens plays a vital role in ecology and the continuation of our New Zealand native plants....

How To Design A Bird-Friendly Garden

Here at Sculpt, we are strong believers in boosting the presence of wildlife and nature in people's lives due to the significant implications it has on our environment, wildlife and mental health. A study conducted by Kings College London found that "seeing or hearing birds is associated with an improvement in mental well-being that can last up to eight hours". Providing a suitable and safe environment to encourage native birds in your garden is an excellent way to give back to Pa...

4 Things To Remember When Designing A Garden

Designing a brand new garden, or adding to an existing one is an exciting experience! Gardens, however, come at a cost, so it is important that you invest your time & money into a garden that will grow.Whilst all gardens require regular upkeep, a well-curated plan can prevent you from making costly & frustrating mistakes. This blog identifies the 4 most important things to remember when designing a garden in Auckland so that you can be one step closer to your dream garden! ...

9 Ways To Screen Your Neighbours

Investing in a beautiful garden should mean that you can enjoy the landscape without views into your neighbour's home, overlooking windows or unappealing scenery.Our '9 Ways To Screen Your Neighbour' will provide you with the most popular methods that New Zealanders are using to add privacy to their garden. Ranging from natural to hardscaping materials, this blog will cover options to suit all needs. ...

Creating a Low Maintenance Front Garden in New Zealand – 4 Helpful Ideas

Understanding the New Zealand climate is significant when beginning the process of a low-maintenance garden design. Choosing the right plants for your location will hugely impact the time, care, and money needed to keep your plants happy. It is not as simple as visiting your local plant store and choosing pretty plants. Think about where your location is - are you on the east coast or the wet west coast? Does your soil retain a lot of water or does it dry up quickly? Is your garden sheltered fro...

Top 10 Tips To Help Your Garden Recover After Flooding

The recent floods have left many of our gardens looking the worse for wear - damaged trees & shrubs, washed away soil & mulch and sad looking lawns. Clients have been asking the team at Sculpt Gardens what can be done to help nurture their gardens back to life after these extreme weather events.  You can tell that your garden is waterlogged if it is squishy underfoot.  Excess water in the soil kills the plant’s delicate feeder roots, which are needed to intake water.&nbs...

The 5 Must-Know Garden Design Trends For 2023

You may be entering the year in a brand new home, a renovator's dream, or like many of us, in the same four walls as last. Regardless, we firmly believe that with a bit of landscaping, your outdoor space in Tāmakimakaurau (Auckland) can bring enhancements to your mood and general perspective on life. Prioritising time to immerse yourself in nature is important, and being able to do so from the comfort of your own home is the ultimate dream.After some extensive research both in the gardens and ...

Top Garden Design Tips For Your Bach Garden

Investing in land or a bach is an amazing milestone achieved. Planning, designing & maintaining a garden in a place not regularly inhabited has its challenges. Sculpt Gardens have designed low maintenance gardens for holiday homes in the sandy soils of Omaha, Mangawhai, Waipu, Matakana, Ruakaka and beyond.  We understand how to design a landscape for easy holiday living - outdoor BBQ areas, generous lawns for cricket & pitching extra tents, fish filleting sinks and an outdoor shower...

Top Tips For Perfect Pots This Christmas

Pots are an excellent, quick way to beautify your home on the North Shore of Auckland without the hassle of regular maintenance. Whether it be your front entrance or entertaining area, incorporating pots can significantly soften and create harmony between the hardscaping. By the end of this blog, you will have the knowledge to create your own striking pot arrangements that will immediately brighten and liven your home....

9 Ways To Edge Your Garden Beds

There are many types of garden edging to choose from, so there's no surprise if you are overwhelmed. We've tried to make it easy by breaking down the pros and cons of the varieties to choose from....

Your Guide To Fencing: Different Types & Costs

When choosing a fence for your backyard, there are many options to consider, which we know can be overwhelming.This guide covers some of the most popular types of fences used in the North Shore of Auckland and elsewhere, what they are used for and how much you could expect to pay.If you are going to have your fence professionally installed, consider external costs such as access to the area; whether it is sloped, the ground quality and whether anything needs to be removed....

Spa Pool Landscaping - Create Your Perfect Space

Creating a landscape that allows you to submerge yourself in nature and enjoy beautiful scenery will give you the perfect spa pool experience. With careful and thoughtful design, your spa can be a place to enjoy all year round and have you holidaying in your backyard....

5 Steps To A Modern Cottage-Style Garden

It is an exciting time for garden designers and lovers, with flowering cottage gardens making a vast return on the North Shore of Auckland. I love the display of colours and natural flowing landscapes that accompany this style.  Best yet, you do not need a cottage-like house to have a modern cottage garden. This style can be adapted and designed to complement your home.  Here are my 5 steps to help you design the modern cottage garden of your dreams. ...

Everything You Need To Know About Root Rot: Griselinia and Puka

Root rot is a condition that we frequently see on Auckland's North Shore. It is a result of water logged clay, often seen in the winter months. Root rot will kill plants if left untreated. As the first symptoms of root rot occur beneath the soil, it is often difficult to notice when the problem first arises. Once root rot establishes, symptoms display through yellowing or brown leaves or hindered growth. ...

Top 5 Tips For A Weed Free Garden

Imagine a world where you never have to deal with a single weed in your garden again…  I can’t give you that whole world, but here are my 5 top tips that will help you keep your weeds under control. ...

Grass | Real or Fake | Which is the Lawn for You?

This is such a hot topic with my clients, that I've decided to write a blog to help you answer this question. I'm afraid there isn't a 'one size fits' all answer but hopefully my 5 P's guide will help you come to the best conclusion for your garden....

The Sanctuary from Habitat Magazine - Issue 36, feature garden

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How to Enhance Your Swimming Pool With Landscape Design

When we talk about pool landscaping in New Zealand, we must consider the whole ambience of the area, including all the features that surround it. Great landscape design will not only upgrade the functionality of the area but can effectively change the whole feel of your outdoor space. Even simple changes can really add to the 'wow factor' of your home to make it the inviting area that you've always wanted to use and show off. Whether you are looking for an amazing space to entertain friends and ...

Top Tips For Looking After Your Native NZ Garden

There are many benefits to planting NZ natives into your garden including preserving native species, attracting birds to your garden and reducing the amount of care and water your garden needs.  Renowned for dramatic foliage, textures and contrasts, NZ native plants fit in well with any garden design. For hardiness, low maintenance, longevity and to add interest to the garden, New Zealand native plants cannot be overlooked. Here are Sculpt Gardens top tips for keeping your native plant...

What To Do In The Garden This December

Eating, drinking and chilling outside is what summer is all about. Make that experience a lot more enjoyable by freshening up outdoor spaces and giving your plants plenty of food and water so they look lush and healthy during the hot days ahead. Here are our top gardening jobs for December but remember if you’d rather us do it for you, book an appointment HERE to arrange that....

Garden Landscaping Tips for Beginners

A great design begins with the proper landscaping to showcase your property. Garden landscaping can seem daunting at first if you’re new to it, but really there are some simple steps you can follow to have a beautiful yard your neighbours will envy. From plant selection and placement to soil needs and light conditions - learn everything you need to know about garden landscaping. ...