Meet the locals: An interview with Ginny Watt

Interview with local Landscape Architect Ginny Watt, owner and lead designer of landscape design company 'For The Love of Landscape' based here in Raglan.

How long have you been practicing landscape architecture?

‍I graduated from Lincoln in 2003, so for 15 years. I first worked at the Taupo District Council for a few years, then moved to Dubai, working for a design and construction company. In Sydney for three years I worked in multidisciplinary teams on a range of projects. In 2010 I became a Registered Landscape Architect with the NZILA and moved back to NZ, working with Warren & Mahoney Architects in Auckland. I then worked with Adam Shuter & Tony Murrell from the TV show Kiwi Living and the Home & Garden Show on Radio live, working on numerous high end residential projects throughout the country.

‍When did you first start your business in Raglan?

‍In 2011 I opened my own Landscape Architecture Company - For the Love of Landscape, which specialises in Residential Design, and in 2013 we moved to Raglan, where I work from home part time, designing many local gardens.

‍Do you work else where in the country?

‍I have designed gardens throughout the Waikato in Raglan, Hamilton, the Coromandel, and Omaha, Auckland, Taupo and Christchurch

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‍What is your favourite part of a garden/property to design?

‍I enjoy the every aspect of the design, mostly I prefer residential design as the time frames are so much smaller, so I have been lucky enough to see lots of the gardens I’ve designed be completed, which doesn’t always happen on big projects.

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‍What is your favourite style of garden to design?

‍Native / Sub-tropical or formal are probably my favourites, but I think it is so important for the design to compliment the architecture and sense of place.

‍Favourite plant(s)?

‍Star Jasmine is so fragrant & useful for many different applications.

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‍What impact do you think landscaping has on daily life?

‍Good landscaping makes such a difference, it can make or break a property. Having sheltered spaces, private areas, space to grow food, views framed, and living with nature & the changing seasons with plants around you is good for your soul.

‍When is the best time to start planting when you are building a new home?

‍It's best to start planning your garden as soon as you start planning your house, if Landscape Architects can work with Architects early on the best outcome can be achieved. For planting it's best to have a planting plan completed early on too, so a plant list with plant species, number, and sizes can be sent to nurseries to order in and put aside plants.

‍What is one piece of advice you can offer for building and landscaping on a new property?

‍Make a plan and even if you can’t afford to do it all at once you will have something to work towards that will be cohesive. Also, pick a style, and suitable palette of plants adapted to the conditions, especially in small gardens repetition and mass plantings of a few species has the biggest impact.See more of Ginnys work or to contact her visit her website www.fortheloveofit.co.nz

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