House Harley
Client: Ken & Rose Harley
Location: New Hanover, KZN
Size: 1000sqm
Build: New
Year:2021
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While new builds offer the freedom of a blank canvas, they often come with their own unique set of challenges. The absence of pre-existing features allows for creativity to flow, but we frequently find ourselves working around delays caused by other contractors, particularly as we are usually the last to arrive on-site.
This particular project, however, was relatively smooth in terms of coordination. The main hurdle we faced was the unseasonably heavy rainfall during the early summer installation. Despite this, the rain worked in our favour, causing the garden to thrive rapidly, bursting into vibrant colour and form by the end of the season.
The client’s brief was to create a garden that harmonised with the surrounding rural landscape, one that blended seamlessly with the adjacent farmlands while offering visual appeal and seasonal interest. To achieve this, I divided the garden into distinct zones, each with its own character and purpose.
A large sloped bank above the driveway presented a challenge due to the poor soil quality. We chose hardy indigenous shrubs and perennials that would not only thrive in these conditions but also help stabilise the soil, creating a lush, resilient ground cover.
Behind the house, a steep retaining wall was an eyesore, detracting from the beauty of the garden. As a bold solution, I planted Banksia roses along the wall, allowing them to -cascade down and conceal the unsightly blocks. The result was a resounding success, with the roses softening the hard lines and adding a touch of romance to the garden’s backdrop.
Beneath this area, we constructed a raised vegetable garden framed by timber planters—both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The front garden evolved into a mixed rose garden, offering rich colour and fragrance, while grapevines were trained to climb the pergola that stretches across the verandah, creating a charming outdoor dining space.
At the heart of the front garden lies an eye-catching water feature—an Asian-inspired glazed pot display that becomes a focal point amidst the manicured lawn, drawing attention with its striking colour and tranquil presence.
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