Root & Rise - Gardens & Design

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day… is by no means a waste of time.” — John Lubbock

Some of the most amazing gardens in the world are right here on our doorstep 🌿 Garden Marlborough’s tours have been a real treat, and Ultimate Escapes is just stunning.

A blue couch tucked under a beautiful old tree, and a quiet invitation to sit, breathe and take it all in. Sometimes the best thing a garden can do for you is slow you right down. 🌻

09/11/2026

November is here, and it’s lovely 🌹

As spring turns into summer, the roses are about to put on their big show. It’s a great time to give them a little love before they really start pushing out.

A quick heads up: aphids are out in force right now. Keep an eye on new growth and buds, because that’s where they love to cluster. A few things I like to do:

🌿 Give them a gentle spray to knock the aphids back
🌿 Or just go through and pinch them off by hand. It’s oddly satisfying!
🌿 Check every few days so they don’t get away on you

And don’t forget to water early in the morning while it’s still cool. Your roses (and you) will thank you for it.

Enjoy your November, everyone 🌻

ipreview via Your Instagram Feed Planner

05/11/2026

It’s spring in Nelson and everything’s waking up at once 🌱

If you haven’t got your seeds in yet, you’re not behind. The garden doesn’t run on a deadline, and neither do you. Get them in now, water them in the morning, and leave a wild corner for the bees.

Then slow down and notice the little things: the first flower on the tomatoes, the dew on the leaves, the bumblebee that’s found your messy patch. That’s all the garden is really asking of us 🌻

What are you planting this week?

07/10/2026

A gorgeous early morning at 102 Franklin, home of Nelson Eye Surgeons. 🌿

This planting was designed as a soft Carex meadow beneath a developing native canopy of kōwhai, rōroro and tikoki, with a single established rimu retained from the original site.

The grasses and sedges were selected to suit the changing moisture conditions across the landscape, creating plenty of movement and softness through the planting.

It’s already such a beautiful space, and it’s only going to get better as it settles in.

Mornings like this make me feel pretty lucky to do what I do.

21/06/2026

The Truth About WeedMAT — what works, what doesn’t, and the mistakes quietly ruining Nelson gardens. Chelsea from Roots & Rise explains how to use weedmat wisely (and when not to). Link in Bio

09/06/2026

Don’t these look so good!? 10/10 local business to work with and the hoodies are so comfy coming into our frosty winter season now! 🧊

26/05/2026

POV: you blink and suddenly the pittosporum golf balls are crisp again ✂️⛳️
Honestly, one of the most satisfying jobs in the garden. Sun out, hedges fresh, driveway looking sharp — today was a good day 🌿

19/05/2026

Creating a creeping thyme pathway has to be one of the loveliest ways to bring softness and scent into a garden 🌿

If you’ve ever wondered what to plant between pavers, creeping thyme is one of the best options. It stays beautifully low, handles light foot traffic well, and gently spills over the edges to soften hard concrete lines and make a walkway feel far more natural and established.

For this thyme walkway, I’ve used a mix of thyme varieties to create subtle changes in texture, colour, and flowering throughout the path. Come summer, the entire area will smell incredible every time it’s brushed past or walked on ✨

Low maintenance, practical, drought tolerant, and beautiful — such a simple planting choice that completely changes the feel of a garden 💛

What would you plant between pavers?
Creeping thyme, lawn chamomile, or Leptinella/plants like NZ brass buttons? 🌱

pathwayplants

15/05/2026

Your garden deserves a glow-up this winter 🍂

Before → After. Same garden. Same space. Just a little Root & Rise magic. 🌻

Winter is actually the perfect time to get your garden sorted — while plants are dormant, we can prune, prep, replant and set your outdoor space up to absolutely thrive come spring.
Whether it’s a full seasonal tidy, new planting, or ongoing maintenance — we’ve got you covered across Nelson & the surrounding area.

👉 Fill out our quick enquiry form and we’ll be in touch to chat about what your garden needs.
📍 rootandrise.nz