The Hawke's Bay ‘paradise garden’ with a pronounced Spanish influence

On the outskirts of Hastings, in the shadow of the shaggy slopes of Te Mata Peak, sits Southland Home. Steeped in history, the house – originally built in the 1950s with a decidedly Spanish influence – recently underwent a renovation, updating its dated form in favour of a fresher feel. 

It was a significant alteration – the clients wanted to revitalise almost everything – so naturally, this extended to the landscaping. The existing garden was especially tired, and was not adequately serving the needs of the household, so Espaso Verde, a renowned mainstay within the Hawke's Bay landscaping industry, was brought on board to totally redesign and renovate the garden.

Charlotte Pedersen, a landscape designer and the Creative Director of Espaso Verde, says the landscaping was intrinsically tied to the architectural design of the home's renovation; it was crucial that the home and garden were in keeping with one another.

"Every project has a brief with several strict components, and for this project, connecting the architecture with the garden was the most important thing," says Pedersen. "There were some specific elements the clients wanted to include, for example, the owners wanted to ensure they retained their stunning views out of the house into the garden and broader landscape.

"But other than that, we were given free rein in regards to the development of the design."

The garden was the final piece of the puzzle, the last thing to do in the renovation – so there was plenty of inspiration to take from the home's architectural design. When Espaso Verde's work eventually began in 2021, the first phase was simple: cull.

"We essentially removed everything except a number of stunning medium-to-large specimen trees and worked the design around them," says Pedersen. "These trees provided the bones of the garden and the primary basis of the design, along with the home's overall Spanish influence."

Historically, Spanish gardens often take heavy inspiration from the paradise gardens of the ancient world. Originating in civilisations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, and the wider Islamic world, paradise gardens featured lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, water features, and a serene atmosphere.

Their popularity eventually spread further afield, reaching as far as the Iberian Peninsula, where the Spaniards adopted and adapted them to suit their climate and needs.

Pedersen and the Espaso Verde team took no small amount of inspiration from such paradise gardens. "The final product of the landscaping has some of those elements included in the design," she says. "We have combined structure with a sense of softness to achieve a garden with a sense of place and a style of its own. The intent was to create a series of spaces that connect around the site, creating a feeling of the garden being larger than it is."

The warm Hawke's Bay climate also lent itself to Mediterranean-style landscape design. In addition to providing an anchor and forming the perimeter of the courtyard, the established trees were integral to creating lovely shaded areas for a respite from the sun in the summer.

Then there were the complex landscaping elements. "To give the garden a feeling of longevity, we used recycled red bricks and other aged materials, which helped to make the garden feel like it had been there for as long as the house," says Pedersen. 

"Within the walled courtyard, we installed a brass water feature; beyond that, the formal lawn and gravel pathways link the courtyard to the wider spaces, and these are edged with perennial borders; and then some cypress trees anchor the house to the garden."

There was also a need to provide an outdoor living element to the landscaping. At the rear of the property, large blue stone cut slabs weave through planting. A quaint redwood seat, milled specifically for this project, is placed at the end of the petanque piste, providing an oasis away from the hustle and bustle. 

"Finally, the edible garden provides a connection to the past (formed from concrete pipes); all this combines to form a garden that invites and holds you."

The landscaping work was completed last year, and the result speaks for itself, Pedersen says. The Espaso Verde team regularly returns for maintenance visits, ensuring it looks its best. 

So, looking back just under a year later, what was the highlight of the project?

"Honestly, having very happy customers," says Pedersen. "Gardens and landscapes change people's lives – they provide spaces to entertain, enjoy time with family, rest and relax, heal, grow food, and have fun; they allow creativity and provide a sanctuary. 

"The highlight for me is always providing all this to our wonderful clients. The most important thing is to provide the customer with a garden they can enjoy—while connecting to the architecture."

Learn more about Espaso Verde and its other recent projects.