Transformative Garden Project Unveiled in Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort

A stunning new garden has emerged at the Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown, New Zealand, showcasing the harmonious blend of human design and natural beauty. After five years of diligent work by landscape architects and a team of earth-moving contractors, the garden now complements the pristine landscape of Central Otago.

The owners, a Kiwi family residing in Asia, envisioned a semi-rural sanctuary in a location they had admired for years. “We toured the South Island after we got married and stayed at Millbrook,” the husband recalled. “We loved it so much that we returned several times when the children were little.” Upon seizing the opportunity to purchase a hillside section in the resort 12 years ago, they enlisted local landscape architects Paddy Baxter and Mark Stallard of Baxter Design Group to bring their vision to life.

Designing a Garden that Resonates with Nature

The project aimed to create a garden that harmonized with its surroundings rather than dominating them. According to the owners, “We wanted a garden that blended with rather than imposed itself on the site.” The design reflects a formal structure that complements the wild beauty of the landscape, flowing down the hillside from a horseshoe-shaped house crafted by Francis Whitaker of Mason & Wales Architects.

This exceptional garden, which won the Award of Excellence for Residential and Gardens at the 2022 NZ Institute of Landscape Architects awards, features wide central steps that lead to a series of terraced lawns. Secluded areas offer surprises, including a seating space surrounding a corten steel fire bowl, a giant chessboard, and a courtyard bordered by elegant feather grasses. At the end of the garden lies a tennis court, complete with a viewing platform shaded by lime trees.

The owners expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Paddy and Mark managed to make seemingly mutually exclusive outcomes possible.” They highlighted the balance between formality and usability, privacy and views, as well as open spaces and intimate nooks.

Challenges and Triumphs in Garden Creation

The collaboration between the owners and the landscape architects was marked by clear communication and shared vision. The owners began the design journey by sharing images of gardens that inspired them, aiming to capture the elegance of classical Italian gardens and the charm of French village squares while celebrating New Zealand’s unique flora.

Paddy Baxter noted the importance of traditional design methods during the creative process. “That crunch of carbon on paper at the start of the process lets us free up the design process and gives us flexibility we can’t get on CAD,” he explained. Once the vision was established, a dedicated team of specialists worked closely to turn the designs into reality.

The scale and complexity of the garden required comprehensive planning, with a meticulous 35 pages of detailed construction plans. The project also faced unexpected challenges, such as the discovery of large boulders during excavation. These were creatively repositioned to enhance the visual appeal of the garden, mirroring the surrounding mountains.

The alpine climate of Central Otago posed further challenges, with extreme temperature fluctuations limiting plant selection. The garden comprises just 15 types of plants, a mix of exotics and natives, totaling over 3,000 individual specimens. Near the house, formal hedges of buxus and laurel create structured lines, while areas further out feature informal groves of Japanese elms and red maples, providing vibrant autumn colors.

As the garden continues to establish itself, it is currently cared for by the landscapers who created it. Long-term maintenance will primarily involve clipping and pruning. The owners actively participate in the upkeep when visiting, celebrating the collective effort that brought the project to fruition.

“This is a great story of Kiwi can-do attitude, professionalism, and teamwork,” one owner remarked, acknowledging everyone involved, from the architects to the nurseries supplying plants.

In a brief Q&A, Paddy Baxter shared insights about the project, highlighting his favorite plant combinations and the significance of capturing the essence of the site. He emphasized the importance of having a realistic budget and the necessity of a reliable watering system, particularly in the initially challenging climate.

This transformative garden not only enhances the beauty of Millbrook Resort but also stands as a testament to careful design and dedicated teamwork, creating a serene retreat that respects and complements its natural environment.