Bare patch of land turned into a beauty

AT HOME: Wendy Ryland and her 2-year-old American bulldog Toby relax in the garden.

Wendy and Craig Ryland have transformed a bare patch of land in Papaiti into a flourishing garden.

They moved into the house about six years ago and started immediately, with Mr Ryland doing the bulk of the work.

"I'd come home one day to find the driveway being concreted, another day there would be a bulldozer on the front lawn, and another day a raised garden bed had appeared," Mrs Ryland said.

Now the 1.2ha is perfectly sculptured lawns, surrounded by gardens.

The Rylands have planted 150 natives bordering the boundary fence line. The backdrop to the barbecue and spa area features cabbage trees, magnolia and ribbonwood. In spring they enjoy a fine display of blooms from the rhododendron, camellia and magnolia.

Mrs Ryland grows vegetables, and the glasshouse supplies the couple with vegetables almost all year round.

The garden attracts plenty of birds, including tui, kereru and wax-eyes.

Mrs Ryland said establishing the garden was not easy, as the soil is heavy clay.

"Fortunately Craig has very green fingers, and we worked it out through trial and error."