Landscape design business building on success

Dunedin-based business Design and Garden Landscapes recently received a swag of awards at Landscaping New Zealand's Landscapes of Distinction awards. Business reporter Sally Rae speaks to the company's founder and director Wayne Butson about the path to success.

Wayne Butson

Perched on the edge of the estuary, and complementing what was already an award-winning house, it was what he described as a special garden.

''Sometimes you get the scope to do something that really comes together well. You don't always have the scope to do that.

''I knew it was a good garden. I loved the plantings and overall design and the location of the house. It had all the elements,'' he said.

What Mr Butson did not expect was for his business to win the landscape of the year national award at Landscaping New Zealand's biennial Landscapes of Distinction awards, courtesy of that garden.

Mr Butson, his wife Ella and their staff had gone to the awards function in Wellington for a ''fun time'' as he was standing down as president of Landscaping New Zealand after a two-year term.

Judges had visited 26 gardens from Whangarei to Wanaka, ranging from tropical to alpine, and the Thoms' ''naturalistic'' garden, which combined native and exotic plantings.

Design and Garden Landscape's team at Landscaping New Zealand's recent awards in Wellington (back from left) Matt Aberdein, Kent Pollard, Simon Greenall, Emma Taylor, Ella Butson, Grant Wassell, (front from left) Bud Law, Wayne Butson and Paul Gillies. Photo by Brian Sheppard.

It was the second time the business has won the title; it previously won in 2010 for the Kunac garden on the Taieri. Design and Garden Landscapes, with its staff of seven, has come a long way since the business was established by Mr and Mrs Butson in 1991.

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Landscape design business building on success