For the love of garden design
The Little Big Tree Company is Canterbury’s premier supplier of high-grade plants and trees, large and small.
Part of Lifespace HQ which also includes Goom Landscapes, Compass Pools Christchurch and The Little Big Trellis Company.
Established over a sprawling 10 acres on Sawyers Arms Road, the nursery not only has a huge range of plants and helpful knowledgeable staff- but also a very talented designer, Lorraine Parry. We caught up with Lorraine to discuss her love of garden design.
When did you discover your passion for garden design?
As a child, my grandfather was a breeder of chrysanthemums- one of my earliest memories was taking these to the county shows. As kids, we would sit with vases of chrysanthemums between our knees. Granddad, in his broad Lancashire accent would say ‘mind’t flowers’. I grew up around flowers and that’s where my passion began.
After marrying and buying our first home, I became excited about the luxury of designing my own garden. We eventually built on Sawyers Arms Road in the early 2000s- my husband and I planned the layout and Chris Goom came to give me some advice. He walked around my garden, arms crossed, contemplating then said, ‘Huh- what do you need me for?’. At the end of the consultation, he offered me a job. He went on to teach me so much about garden design. I worked for Chris before his retirement and then had a hiatus for several years helping in my husband’s building business- switching to designing homes instead of gardens.
After a stint in Nelson my passion for garden design was reignited. As a test, to see if I still ‘had it’ I was asked to create a plan for a fictional client of the nursery. Ever since, I have been happily working here, meeting with clients and creating garden designs.
Do you have a particular garden design style?
No, every house and client is different and so I consider all of those factors (including architecture of the home, aspect of the site, whether low maintenance is important or whether they are avid gardeners etc) as part of my design.
Do you prefer urban or rural garden design?
I live on a 10-acre lifestyle block, so I am very familiar with how to get the most out of a block that size without too much work. However, I can get very excited about the smallest Courtyard as these create some wonderful opportunities to display great design in a limited space.
What services do you provide at The Little Big Tree Company?
We provide a Garden Consultation Service (fee on application). This involves an on-site visit, where we leave the client with a sketch and a list of recommended trees and plants. Sometimes this might suffice for a client to move forward but if a more detailed plan is required, we can provide a full ‘to scale’ landscape layout and planting plan. Clients are also welcome to visit the nursery (with their photos or ideas) so they can be guided around the nursery to discuss the different options available.
I am a practical person who is mindful of budgetary constraints and like the challenge of working within these parameters using my life skills and in-depth gardening knowledge. If you would like to reinvigorate your existing garden, create a new one or you are a builder of spec homes or a developer, get in touch with The Little Big Tree Company.