Gardening at the Edge of a Runway
Landscape Design: Jon Plowman
Set along the expansive horizon of Kaipara’s rural airfield, this property is more than a home, it’s a sanctuary for hobbies, passion, and watching planes take flight. What began as a modest entry garden has evolved into a richly layered outdoor environment, shaped by thoughtful design and collaboration.
Landscape designer Jon Plowman was entrusted to reimagine the site, with Rochford Landscapes bringing the vision to life, handling everything from groundwork, structural elements to planting.
The front garden, led by Rochford’s Greenscape lead Laura, set the tone: Nikau palms and vibrant orange Gazanias are a nod to the clients’ Dutch heritage and offer seasonal colour and warmth. Sculptural Pittosporum ‘Golfball’ withstands the site’s strong winds with clean form, while ground cover Kopukaitiko softens the lower layer. Feature Pōhutukawa’s, Kentia’s, and Nikau Palms combine boldness with practical, low-maintenance resilience.
“It’s about cohesion,” says Jon. “There’s confidence in carrying a detail through, and when it’s done well, it elevates everything.”
From this entry point, the garden has evolved in carefully planned stages. Retaining walls and soft landscaping gave way to a full expression of the clients’ passion for gardening. Raised garden boxes promote self-sufficiency, complemented by an orchard, a large glasshouse, and a custom potting shed - all thoughtfully designed to reflect the clients’ lifestyle. Curved pathways edged with Corten steel seamlessly connect the garden’s different areas, creating a smooth flow & hint of natural orange.
As the project grew in ambition, so did its scale. A 12 x 3.7m concrete pool was added and repositioned to enhance connection with the home. The pool now anchors a refined outdoor zone featuring a pool house, automated louvre roof, outdoor showers, and timber decking - all coordinated with the home’s cladding and material palette. Materiality has been the binding force, with pops of orange and blue repeated throughout the garden, quietly honouring the clients’ heritage.
Behind the scenes,
Rochford’s resident building team collaborated closely with the landscape crew to manage the extensive structural scope. “This is where design is key,” says Jon. “Even now, it matches the drawings exactly - that’s the power of clarity and follow-through.”
Once complete, we’ll have spent a full 12 months on site - a rare opportunity to see the landscape evolve season by season. It’s been an incredibly satisfying project, getting to know our clients and their way of life, and shaping a garden that truly reflects them. The meditation circle is now underway, and the final pool plaster is being applied.
Watch this space for updated pictures as the last elements come to life.
