Acorn Landscape Design

Acorn Landscape Design Landscape and Garden Design We specialise in turning your outdoor dreams into reality. Our design style is client and site led.

Landscape design Christchurch
0278172171
[email protected]
www.acornlandscapedesign.co.nz

Are you ready to design your dream garden, but don't know where to start? Whether you're looking for a complete overhaul of your backyard or just need a few tweaks to enhance your existing landscape, we have the expertise and creativity to bring your vision to life. Based in Christchurch, Can

terbury, we also produce high quality landscape designs for projects across the South Island. Our team of experienced designers will work closely with you to understand your unique needs and preferences, taking into account factors such as your home's architecture, existing vegetation, and desired level of maintenance. We'll then create a customised plan that not only meets your needs but also enhances the natural beauty of your property. We are a small team of Christchurch garden designers, however we work on a broad range of projects varying in scale from courtyards and roof gardens to large country estates. We use your taste and aspirations as our inspiration, resulting in garden designs with a fine balance of practicality and elegance. Some of our services include:

Site analysis and evaluation
Concept development with 3D modelling
Softscape design / plant selection / garden planning
Hardscape design (paving, decks, walkways, etc.) Structure design (embankment, retaining walls, pergolas, etc.) Garden lighting design
Garden irrigation design
Garden feature design
Garden maintenance schedules
Sustainable landscape design

The middle layer of your garden is what ties everything together. Think of these plants as the bridge between the low, s...
27/01/2026

The middle layer of your garden is what ties everything together. Think of these plants as the bridge between the low, soft planting at the front and the taller structure behind.

1. Height

Plants in the middle should generally sit over 60cm, ideally around 70–90cm, so they rise above front-of-border planting without dominating the space. You can absolutely add a few taller plants for interest, just make sure they’re light, airy, or spiky so you can see through them. One of my favourites for this is Verbena bonariensis, which adds height without heaviness.

2. Repetition

Repetition is key to making a garden feel calm and intentional. Choose a plant you love and repeat it at least three times along the length of the garden bed. This creates rhythm and draws the eye naturally through the space.

Plants I Love for the Middle of Sunny Garden Beds:
Echinacea
Salvia
Achillea
Rudbeckia
Euphorbia
Perovskia
Verbascum
Helenium
Ornamental grass
Daphne
Roses
Pittosporum (great for winter structure)

Let me know what you'll be planting in yours in the comments!

I’ve been thinking a lot about why life feels easier on holiday.It’s not that responsibilities disappear, you’re still m...
06/01/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about why life feels easier on holiday.

It’s not that responsibilities disappear, you’re still managing kids, meals, plans, and logistics.

But everything feels lighter.

I don’t think it’s about having more free time.
I think it’s about friction.

On holiday, the spaces around you give something back. They’re easy to move through, easy to use, and easy to enjoy without effort.

At home, most of us are living very full lives in spaces that were never designed for that reality.
They work on a quiet Saturday, not on a tired Tuesday.

I see this a lot with gardens.
They look fine, but they don’t really support everyday life.
They ask for maintenance, decisions, and energy - instead of quietly making things easier.

So this year I’ve made a small shift to the way I run my one-off design sessions, keeping them really simple and focused on reducing friction. One clear session, a practical, cohesive plan, and no obligation to do everything at once.

The goal isn’t a perfect garden, t’s a space that gives something back, even when life is busy.

If your garden has been on your mental to-do list for a while, feel free to message me for details about January–February design sessions.

When you’re choosing plants for the very front of your gardens, there are three key things to consider:1. HeightPlants a...
28/11/2025

When you’re choosing plants for the very front of your gardens, there are three key things to consider:
1. Height
Plants at the very front should sit around knee-high or lower - anything taller will block what’s behind it. As you move further into the garden, the height can gradually step up, creating a soft layered effect (with some exceptions).
2. Season of Interest
These plants need to work the hardest visually because they’re the first thing you see. Choose varieties that offer a long season of interest, whether through flowers, foliage, or structure, so your garden looks good for as much of the year as possible.
3. Shape
Avoid very upright, spiky plants in the front layer. Instead, look for plants that mound, spill, or weave. Fan-shaped or softly mounded plants help to blur the edges of paths and lawns, creating a relaxed, inviting feel.

Great Plants for the Front of a Garden:
Hardy geraniums (e.g., Rozanne)
Achillea
Low-growing euphorbias
Alchemilla mollis
Nepeta / Catmint
Ornamental grasses like Lomandra, and Carex
Sedum (Autumn Joy )
Coreopsis

Let me know which you'll be planting in yours in the comments!

A few tips to consider when you are thinking about an outdoor kitchen:1) How you want to cook? Barbeque? Pizza oven?2) W...
22/11/2025

A few tips to consider when you are thinking about an outdoor kitchen:
1) How you want to cook? Barbeque? Pizza oven?
2) Where should it be positioned? Never underestimate convenience, proximity to the kitchen is key (or you'll use it way less). Consider views too, if you can manage it, it's often nice to place it somewhere in the garden.
3) What you want it to look like? What will work with your house and garden? Think about materiality and remember to chose a wipeable surface.

This recent design has me excited for barbeque season in NZ, and is a real focal point in the garden.

Got questions?? Pop them in the comments.

If you do one thing to improve the look of your garden this year, let it be this! (Bonus - it’s completely free!)By lift...
20/11/2025

If you do one thing to improve the look of your garden this year, let it be this! (Bonus - it’s completely free!)

By lifting and dividing your perennials, then planting them in larger groups and repeating them through your garden, you’ll instantly create a more cohesive feel. You won’t find a professionally designed garden without planting repetition, and if you didn't do it in autumn, now is the perfect time to get stuck in. Just grab a spade and start dividing!

But there’s one more important step:
We don’t just repeat plants around the garden, we repeat clusters of the same plant. It’s unusual for garden designers to plant a single perennial on its own (unless it’s a big statement plant), we typically plant in threes, fives, or even sevens to create the same level of mass.

When you lift and divide a plant, consider replanting it as a cluster rather than scattering individual plants throughout the garden. Then repeat that same cluster elsewhere in the garden to create a sense of harmony and intention.

Perennials you can divide now include:
• Agapanthus
• Aster
• Delphinium
• Euphorbia (non-woody types)
• Geranium
• Hosta
• Ornamental grasses
• Salvia
• Sedum
• Verbena

So before you rush out to buy new plants, take a look around your own garden, you might already have everything you need.

There are lots more, if you’re unsure about a plant, pop it in the comments below and I’ll give you a thumbs up or down

P3of4 Garden Design Principle Series. Let's delve into the second principle of garden design: Balance and Proportion.Thi...
15/03/2024

P3of4 Garden Design Principle Series. Let's delve into the second principle of garden design: Balance and Proportion.

This is when a garden feels balanced and proportional to the space. Here are my top three tips:

1. Symmetry and Asymmetry: Balance can be achieved through both symmetry and asymmetry. Symmetrical designs feature identical elements mirrored across a central axis, creating a strong sense of formality. Asymmetrical designs, on the other hand, rely on varied elements to create balance through visual weight and distribution. For example, in an asymmetrical garden, a large tree on one side may be balanced by a grouping of smaller dense shrubs on the other, creating equilibrium without mirroring exact features.

2. Proportionate Plantings: Choose plants of varying heights, shapes, and textures to create a balanced composition. Taller plants can be used as focal points or to create vertical interest, while lower-growing plants provide a sense of grounding and cohesion. Remember to consider all seasons when selecting plants.

3. Structures: Structures, and how they relate to each other, need to be balanced and in proportion, for example, avoid overpowering the space with structures that are too large. Consider adding vertical elements like pergolas or arbors to create balance and draw the eye upward. Utilise the principles of the golden ratio to guide the placement and size of structural features. For long narrow gardens, I like to break up the space with strategically placed plantings.

Follow for the next installment, where I'll explore the third principle of garden design: Rhythm & Repetition.

Share with someone who might benefit from seeing this too!

P2of4: Garden Design Principle Series. Let's delve into the first principle: Unity and Harmony.This is when all the diff...
22/02/2024

P2of4: Garden Design Principle Series. Let's delve into the first principle: Unity and Harmony.

This is when all the different elements that make up your garden are cohesive and convey a sense of oneness. Here are my top three tips:

1. Consistent Theme: Choose a theme that resonates with you and maintain it consistently throughout your garden. Whether it's a formal English garden or a rustic cottage vibe, coherence fosters a sense of unity.

2. Plant Selection and Colour: Select plants and colours that complement each other, and your overall theme. Use a colour wheel to find complementary schemes, and choose a limited plant palette to allow for repetition. Mix evergreen and deciduous plants for year-round interest, all with different sizes, shapes and textures.

3. Integrating Structural Elements: Any structural/hardscaping elements need to align with your garden's theme. For example in a Mediterranean-inspired garden, you might include features such as terracotta pots, natural stone paving and gravel.

Ready to transform your garden into a harmonious space that reflects your personal style and vision? Let me know how you plan to use Unity and Harmony in the comments.

Follow for the next installment, where I'll explore the second principle of garden design: Balance and Proportion.

Share with someone who might benefit from seeing this too!

Ever wondered what makes a garden truly special? It all starts with three key principles:1. Unity & Harmony: Tie your ga...
15/02/2024

Ever wondered what makes a garden truly special? It all starts with three key principles:

1. Unity & Harmony: Tie your garden together with a consistent theme or color scheme for a cohesive look.

2. Balance & Proportion: Achieve visual appeal by arranging elements in a way that feels balanced and proportional to the space.

3. Rhythm & Repetition: Infuse your garden with rhythm by repeating certain elements throughout, adding continuity and interest.

Stay tuned, I'll delve deeper into each principle in the coming weeks 🌳

Share with someone who might benefit from seeing this too!

05/02/2024

This dreamy outdoor area is almost complete! I'm not sure if the natural stone paving or the drought resilient planting is my favourite. Check back in a few weeks for final photos 😍

How do you set up your first garden?Thinking about creating your first garden but not sure where to start? No worries! H...
31/01/2024

How do you set up your first garden?

Thinking about creating your first garden but not sure where to start? No worries! Here are 5 steps to get you gardening:

1. Know Your Space: Monitor your your new garden space to know your sunlight hours, water, soil type, or the presence of any strong wind and frost.

2. Imagine Your New Space: Picture how you want your garden to look and feel. Do you want bright, energetic reds and oranges, or relaxed, sophisticated whites and greens? Colour can hugely impact the feel of your outdoor area.

3. Love Your Soil: Before investing in plants, give your garden a head start by adding a complementary compost, and then top with a mulch, such as bark. This will feed your plants, trap in moisture on hot days and protect roots from fluctuating temperatures.

4. Choose the Right Plants: This is important, do a little research! Choose low-maintenance plants that will thrive in your local climate. First and foremost, check sunlight requirements. If you have frosts, choose plants that say 'hardy' on the label.

5. Start Small: Don’t rush! Begin with a cozy corner and let your garden grow at its own pace. Mistakes are bound to happen when starting out, that's how you learn!

What does your dream garden look like? Share with me in the comments below!

Looking for something to plant in shade? Check out this dreamy combination of ferns with Brunnera macrophylla 😍
16/11/2023

Looking for something to plant in shade? Check out this dreamy combination of ferns with Brunnera macrophylla 😍

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Christchurch

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Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 8am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

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