Garden makeover A floral facelift and a spa-pool area just for Mum
This functional family garden would look fabulous with a spa-pool area and
a floral facelift so a single mum can enjoy some well-deserved time out
Dear Carol,
Our house is a cottage of around 120 square metres with a large deck and a boring garden, which I would like to utilise more. We are probably 300m from the sea but the house faces west, which means we don’t get the salty onshore wind in the garden. The garden has a slight drop and is reasonably well drained.
The deck is very sunny as it faces west. The house is really modern inside and a pleasure to live in.
The main things I want to achieve are a spa-pool area with a path leading to it from the deck stairs, an area of ‘picking’ flowers, and to generally make my garden more interesting.
I am a single mum with two boys aged 5 and 11. My garden already has a trampoline, shed and playground areas for them. It’s time for something for me!
Adele Marshall, Rothesay Bay, Auckland
SUGGESTED PLANTING PLAN
1 PLANT SCREEN TREES along northern edge of spa area to create privacy from neighbours. Plant same trees along eastern boundary, too. Trim to 2-3m in height to ensure light can still enter garden without compromising privacy. This also ensures foliage remains at the height you want.
2 BUILD A PLATFORM for spa pool connecting directly to deck via steps (as shown) or via steps from the garden (not shown). Accessing spa from deck is the most convenient option. Make platform no higher than 1m so there’s no need for a railing. Screen under platform with horizontal trellis.
3 ADD PLANTERS to edge of platform to disguise spa and help it blend into the garden. Plant climbers to climb through deck railing for same reason.
4 CREATE GARDEN BED from plum tree to end of spa platform for picking flowers. Surrounding plum tree with planting anchors it into the garden rather than having it sitting isolated in the lawn. It also makes mowing the lawn easier.
5 MAKE A PATH from base of deck stairs to access spa (if required) and picking garden. Use large concrete pavers, poured concrete or gravel (with retained edges).
6 PLANT SHADE-LOVING
SPECIES under deck to hide deck posts and provide interest on both sides of the path.