Design & Consultancy

FULL SERVICE

Advice & Landscape Design

Need a little extra help with your planting? Our experienced team can help with first-hand advice and expert design for your project. 

We have a range of soft landscaping options, whether you plan to establish a new garden, re-invigorate an existing site, or require feedback on plant related problems.  

We will assign a team member with expertise best suited to your site, ensuring you receive quality information on plants and design to suit your tastes, lifestyle, area and conditions.

Our services range from an on-site plant consultation to a premium landscape design package, check out our options below.

Our Services

ENGAGE EXPERTISE

On-Site Plant Consultation

A plant expert from our team will meet you on site for a consultation about your existing garden. Great for practical plant advice and troubleshooting. 

$300 + extra mileage if required. 

Read more on what's included
  • Identifying plants, pests & diseases
  • Assessing the suitability of trees and shrubs
  • Advice for shelterbelts, woodlots and orchard blocks if you’re on a rural property
  •  Aftercare & maintenance tips
CREATIVE COLLABORATION

On-Site Design Scope

A Landscape Architect from our team will meet with you on-site to discuss the scope of your project and gather information for the design brief.

During this meeting, we will conduct a site analysis and walk-through, covering things such as; your ideas, requirements and preferences, the budget and project timeline.

Once we have an understanding of the scope, a tailored Letter of Service is provided for you. This covers what the design services include, and the proposed fee to complete the design works.

Initial Scope –  $200 + extra mileage if required.

DESIGN DELIVERED

Garden Design

Working with your site requirements and preferred planting palette, we develop a detailed soft landscaping (planting) plan.

This design option is great for new builds that may already have their hardscaping completed, or for existing gardens that need improvement.

Typically a single plan is produced to communicate the garden design.

From $900
Read more on what's included
  • Digitally drawn 2D landscape plan
  • Hardcopy of plan to scale so a landscaping contractor can quote for the installation.
  • Plant palette showing images of selected plants and handy plant information
  • Plant Centre visit to discuss your plan – 60min
  • 1 Design revision included
  • Plant supply quote
  • 10% off the retail price of your plants for 6 months after design completion 
VISION REALISED

Landscape Design

Let’s develop your dream landscape!

This design option considers your whole site and how you will use the spaces. It is perfect if you are wanting to undertake significant landscaping work or revamp your entire outdoor space.

We create a cohesive design that includes both hardscaping (pathways, decks etc) and soft landscaping (plants and trees), which is suited to your lifestyle and budget.

Typically more than one plan is needed to communicate the landscape design.

Typically $1500-$3000 – We recommend an on-site design scope first for Canterbury projects.

Read more on what's included
  • Digitally drawn 2D landscape plan(s) with suggested materials and construction notes as required
  • Hardcopy of plan(s) to scale so a landscaping contractor can quote for the installation
  • Plant palette showing images of selected plants and detailed plant information
  • Plant Centre visit to discuss your plan – 60min
  • 1x Design revision included
  • Plant supply quote
  • 10% off the retail price of your plants for 6 months after design completion
  • Optional on-site plant set out – 60min
VISION TO REALITY

Masterplan

This full property plan establishes the framework and key elements of a site to create a vision for the project. Suitable for lifestyle and rural properties. It can include the layout of feature trees, hedgerows, shelterbelts, orchards, sheds, driveways and dwellings.

$POA depending on scope – We recommend an on-site design scope first for Canterbury projects.

Read more on what's included
  • Digitally drawn 2D landscape plan
  • Hardcopy of plan to scale so a landscaping contractor can quote for the install
  • Plant palette showing images of selected plants and handy plant information
  • Plant Centre visit to discuss your plan – 60min
  • Design revision x1
  • Plant supply quote
  • 10% off the retail price of your plants for 6 months after design completion

Also included

The consultation options all include the following.

  • 25km mileage (Calculated to and from the nursery). Additional mileage is charged at $1.50+GST per km. 
  • A dedicated staff member for your project. See consultation times on your package. Additional time charged is charged at $25+GST per 15 mins or part thereof.
  • Plus, landscape design customers will receive 10% off the retail price of their plants for 12 months after the plan is supplied.
  • Excludes quantity discounts, vouchers and specials. 

Is your project a bit outside the boxes above?

If you have a unique project or specific questions regarding your site, get in touch for a chat and see how we can help.

Additional Services

  • We’re happy to provide a virtual design service for clients beyond the Canterbury region
  • We can work directly off your site plans – particularly for new builds
  • We can deliver or freight your plants nationwide
  • We can help with extras like detailed design, plan revisions, plant placement or consultations
  • Additional time charged is charged at $25+GST per 15 mins or part thereof

Meet our design team

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT (BDesLA Hons)

Katie Freeman

Katie an award-winning landscape architect with over 10 years of experience working in Christchurch and Wellington.

Specialising in residential landscape design, Katie creates designs that are fit for purpose, beautiful, and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. She enjoys working alongside her clients to develop their ideas and loves helping them to achieve their garden goals.

  • Gold Medal – ‘Bubbles in the Garden’ exhibition garden at Grow Ōtautahi – Christchurch Garden Festival
  • Supreme Award for Construction – New Zealand Flower and Garden Show, Auckland
  • Silver Medal Major Garden Exhibition Category, Ellerslie International Flower Show.

“Designing your garden should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The beauty of a well thought out landscape, is its ability to bring a property to life.”

PLANT CENTRE MANAGER

Chris Smith

Chris is our Plant Centre Manager, able to bring a wealth of knowledge to your consultation. He specialises in lifestyle blocks, courtyard planting ideas and perennial gardens.

Having worked in Clifton Nurseries in the heart of London, Chris brings along a wealth of knowledge in perennials and exotic specimen trees. A stint at Landsendt in Auckland has led Chris to his passion for palm trees.

He has a background in parklands and specimen tree plantings, combined with a great understanding of native and exotic shrubs.

"My style can often be found in a mixture of colour, form and foliage, with seasonality as a focus."

DESIGN & CONSULTATION

Book a consultation with Southern Woods

Request an on-site consultation with one of our experienced team.
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