We’re down in the Waikato to talk to the team at Groundcover Landscaping, one of Hamilton’s premier landscaping companies. Owners Michelle & Graeme Hopkins identified a gap in the market for a full-service, customer-focused business that covers the ground from design inspiration landscape construction to ongoing garden care and maintenance.
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A recent project at Tauwhare Rd was an opportunity to bring luxury living outdoors, with a beautiful design that includes a covered outdoor kitchen/bar area, boardwalks, secluded deck and spa, swimming pool with deck and a stunning corten steel and timber sleeper fence, paving, and plants galore. Designed by Christchurch landscape Designers Xteriorscapes-Landscape Architects, the design was brought to life by Project Manager Simon Mason, Landscaping Foreman Luke Mills and their highly experienced team.
What was the client brief for this project?
An entertainment area incorporating a pool (installed by Pool Builders Waikato) with a deck and timber sleeper / corten steel fence, louvre covered kitchen area with built-in BBQ area and breakfast bar, boardwalk to private spa area with planting that softens the hardscaping and an outdoor fire with complimentary corten steel background.
The client chose a landscape designer in Christchurch and they chose us to install the design, as we are one of the few Registered Master Landscapers in the Waikato.
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The boardwalk brings a ‘resort’ vibe to the garden. What plants and materials were chosen to achieve this look?
The rambling boardwalk and decks were constructed using Garapa hardwood decking timber. We supplied a lot of the plants for the client to complete the planting themselves and the final result is a stunning blend of natives and exotics. The path has a corten steel edging “straight curve edging” which compliments the corten steel and sleeper fence and keeps a clean divide between the garden mulch and the hoggin path.
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The Corten Steel and timber sleeper wall is a real centrepiece of the design - what was the reasoning behind this choice of materials?
Xteriorscapes designed the garden and we were more than happy to install these creative features. The fence nestles in well with the planting in a contemporary space.
The corten steel fence makes a bold statement for the deck and pool area while the backdrop of the pool is lush planting, meaning that the remaining “necessary” pool fencing (glass and Aluminium) is discreet.
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What were the challenges during the build - how did it go?
Council consent for the corten steel / sleeper fence - but we got there!
We took our time designing the plaster block wall for the kitchen area so that it would fit seamlessly with the automated louvre system.
We coordinated with the other trades to ensure the process was seamless. For example, the posts of the pergola went in with the block wall and then the remainder of the pergola was completed afterwards.
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Hoggin path with mulched side gardens
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Aerial view showing the boardwalk surrounded by beautiful planting.