Turning your landscape dreams into reality

By Jamie Quinn

Green Therapy’s team of landscape specialists offer a completely bespoke client experience.

The company which came to fruition not long after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, originally began as garden maintenance.

Bryce Coulter, founder and director of Green Therapy, explains that there was a natural progression. Garden maintenance turned into planting and plant knowledge which then led him and the team to landscape design.

“We have a very intentional small team of seven. We have a culture where people are encouraged to speak up with their ideas. We’re passionate about what we do and that reflects in our work.”

The passionate team create a unique experience for each client, which starts with a consultation and site visit to determine the final vision. The team will offer knowledge led ideas and gauge if they are resonating with the client, essentially bouncing creative ideas between designer and client.

“The great thing about us is that we’re mostly known through word of mouth, which means that clients have usually heard about us or seen our work which leads them to our website. Which means that they’re already on board and trust us to do something they like.”

When considering a design, the team naturally gravitate to the most sustainable approach; something that is also very client driven, Bryce says. Their ethos is creating an outdoor space that thrives on bio-diversity and encourages local wildlife.

The team at Green Therapy are making strides in the industry by using wool mat mulch, a recycled wool which regulates the temperature of the soil while naturally breaking down and feeding plants.

Bryce says their main rule is to plant the right plants, in the right place, significantly reducing maintenance. Designs take into consideration water conscious planting schemes, local soil and climate conditions. The company has also made the switch to electric vehicles for some of their fleet.

“Sustainability is affecting everyone right now. It’s an unstoppable wave. We’re using a lot of recycled materials and using them in unique ways.”

There was a huge gap in the market when it came to planting knowledge, says Bryce.

The team deliver a massive amount of knowledge when it comes to planting schemes and this is what sets them apart from others in the industry. Creating sustainable and self-sufficient gardens is an art form for the small but mighty team.

“We deliberately keep it small. It’s very much quality over quantity,” Bryce says about his team.

They are excited to bring people into team with different skillsets and new ideas, but they don’t force growth for the sake of growth.

Like most in the design industry, the company has started experimenting with AI. What can’t be reproduced through technology however, are the genuine connections formed between client and designer throughout the creative process. Keeping the team small means that the interactions are meaningful and purpose driven.

Bryce says his favourite part of the job is the client engagement and freedom of creativity. Seeing the gardens develop over time is a sight to behold.

When considering gardens, the final product is never really the final product. More specifically, the design needs to take into account how the passage of time will affect the landscape.

The team think about the technical aspects of selecting which plants go where, the growth rate of each plant, maintenance needs, and its eventual mature size.

During the planning stage they will also make sure they are highlighting important points in the garden by using unique plant types, distinct structures or garden ornaments.

This is also when they will think about contrasting shapes, textures and colours to capture attention and direct the eye to a specific area. Over time, these aspects develop into something extraordinary.

If you’re wanting to create a beautiful space where you can connect with friends and family, contact Bryce and the team at Green Therapy on 0508 2GARDEN, or email at bryce@greentherapy.co.nz. CT Green Therapy

0508 2GARDEN bryce@greentherapy.co.nz www.greentherapy.info

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