ShaferDesign Blog

Roses are known around the world as beautiful and fragrant flowers that hold special meaning — especially when given to you by someone you love. If you’re interested in growing these special flowers to enjoy them for yourself, autumn is the perfect time to get started. New Zealand’s temperate climate is suitable to plant roses anytime of the year, but autumn is preferred by gardeners and rose-lovers alike because the …

Have you ever caught yourself feeling envious over a neighbour’s attractive hedge but felt the process would be too difficult? There’s a common misconception that growing a hedge is extremely difficult — but the good news is that these appealing living fences are actually quite simple to grow and maintain. While growing a thick and healthy hedge doesn’t necessarily require you to be a professional landscaper, there are actionable steps …

Plant Selection

There are four main categories of box hedges: common box (Buxus sempervirens), instant box hedging, dwarf box (B. sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’), and other varieties of box hedge plants. These are good plants to start with since they will succeed year-round. 

Plant Spacing

Determining how much spacing you need is important. To calculate this, simply multiply the length of your box garden hedge in meters by 5. For low growing hedges, under …

Photo credit: Mike Holman

Modern architecture and landscape design at its finest. This stunning cliffside home located in Auckland’s North Shore region features elegant lines and a smart, open design that offers an unbridled view of the Hauraki Gulf.

With its sleek exterior composed of black Accoya weatherboards and Monarc precast panels, this home is effortlessly chic and modern. Its open-plan design uses frameless corner glass sliding doors and allows the living …

Hibiscus plants lend colour and delight to any garden. With their large, vibrant blooms, these shrubs can give your backyard that much-needed tropical feel.

Interested in growing your own hibiscus plants? Here’s what you need to know:

Getting To Know Your Hibiscus

Hibiscus are hardy shrubs that have been cultivated around Asia and the Pacific for centuries. They come in various cultivars with flower colours ranging from the classic red, pink, and white …

Swimming pool fencing can make or break a swimming pool design.  If it is handled well, the finished result will not detract from your view of the pool or your outdoor living. Below are a few ideas, and tips for a stylish swimming pool fencing solution.

Basic Pool Fencing rules

The basic swimming pool fencing rules require a 1200mm minimum height barrier around the pool enclosure.  There …

If you want to add more privacy to your home, tune out noise from nearby traffic, or simply create an enclosed space in your yard, then planting a hedge could be your best option.

Compared to fences, living screens and hedges from native shrubs like corokia have tons of benefits and are a whole lot easier on the eyes.

Want to know the best way to plant and maintain corokia hedges? Read …

The combination of high temperatures and scant rainfall during the summer can be harsh to many plants. That Kiwi heat can be unrelenting to your poor garden!

But don’t panic just yet.

There are lots of beautiful plants that can beat the summer heat. Here are our top recommendations:

Succulents

On top of our list is everyone’s favourite: succulents. These come in various shapes, sizes, and colours. The most popular ones include spiral aloe, …

If time and lack of experience are the biggest stumbling blocks to starting your garden, then here are a few tips to help you get paper writing service started with your low maintenance garden. Even a low maintenance garden can bring you joy, and respite from the busyness of life; the effort will be paid back tenfold!

But where do I start?

Even a tiny corner becomes a maze of possibilities… …

Subdividing a property in Auckland may seem daunting, but it’s actually easier than it sounds, especially if you have the right information.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Auckland subdivision process:

Can my Auckland property be subdivided?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, you first need to assess if your land is qualified to be subdivided. Subdivision in Auckland can differ from property to property, but here are the most …