Getting back to nature with natural landscaping

Three years ago, landscapers with diggers were busy sculpting earth and moving rocks in the heart of the Botanic Garden’s native plant area.

They replaced a set of steps with a gentle slope, improving accessibility. A new path was carved through the existing lawn, linking mature garden beds and inviting visitors in. A miniature "mountain" was constructed from local basalt for tricky to grow alpine species. An existing garden bed was extended with a billowing drift of snow tussocks.

There’s a well-worn adage that "a garden is never finished". As the native plant area evolves, we are moving towards a more naturalistic style of landscaping. While still highly contrived, the landscaping and rock work have provided a framework to display some of the native plant collection in a way that is more evocative of Otago’s high country.

We will gradually integrate existing garden beds and mature trees with the new plantings: pruning, removing, retaining, and replacing, resulting in a more dramatic and immersive experience for visitors.

The next step is to swallow up another patch of lawn by extending the planting of red tussocks. It is a lovely little lawn, but it will to be difficult to pull off this exciting design concept if the mighty snow tussocks and tangled small-leaved shrubs remain bordered by hard lines and a manicured lawn of bright green turf grass.

Eventually, visitors will find themselves surrounded by frothing tussocks - a step closer to the spirit of our beloved wild places.

• Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Kate Caldwell.