Business South June 2021

102 | LANDSCAPING Diva Landscapes  Bulk landscape supplies  Outdoor living  Fencing  Decking  Sheds  Paving 46 Brookes Road, Frankton I Phone 03 450 9262 Q ueenstown’s Diva Landscapes has achieved an exceptional result for its first time entering the Registered Master Landscapers New Zealand Landscape of Distinction Awards, taking home the Best Maintenance Project of the Year award for its work at Sir Michael Hill’s exclusive luxury lodge, located on The Hills private golf course in Arrowtown. Diva Landscapes has been part of the formation of the gardens at The Lodge at the Hills since their inception. The firm installed the design by sought-af- ter landscape design studio Suzanne Turley Landscapes a decade ago, and has continued to provide irrigation, plant management, and grooming to the highest standards available in the industry. Sir Michael says the gardens are complex and push the limits of traditional gardens as some species are being grown there for the first time in Central Otago. Competition judges say under Diva Land- scapes’ constant monitoring of plant health and growth, the plant combinations are thriv- ing and mesmerising. Diva Landscapes managing director Simon Leversedge says he is now working on the golf course at The Hills, where hundreds of tussocks have recently been removed a native garden, majority hebes which are suited to the local environment, now being planted in the carpark and surrounding the clubhouse. “The clubhouse has won awards for its architecture so it’s great for us to be able to elevate this property even further with our overhaul, installation, and maintenance ser- vices and being a members-only golf course, it has put us right in the heart of our market.” Simon says Diva Landscapes’ point of difference is its landscape garden manage- ment service, under which maintenance and irrigation both fall. “We’re doing annual garden management plans which are getting us really good feed- back and return clients” he says. “We recommend what to do, when to do it, and the reasons to do it, to help our clients understand their gardens. Then they can just leave us to it. “A number of our clients are overseas or absentee owners and the relationships we form with them means they have the trust in Recognition for ongoing involvement Diva Landscapes won the Best Maintenance Project of the Year award for its work at Sir Michael Hill’s exclusive luxury lodge, located on The Hills private golf course in Arrowtown. T Kelly Deeks Diva, knowing we are on their property when they are not even in the country.” Winter is the off season for Diva Land- scapes, and ten years ago, once the gardens had been ‘put to bed for winter’ Diva would close down for three months. Today, the business runs year round with new projects including irrigation installs. This winter, the team is also heading to the vineyards to help out with the labour short- age. This allows Simon to retain more staff, and for those completing apprenticeships, to get some additional horticultural experience outside of the garden. The vineyards get the benefit of the labour they so desperately need and the knowledge and experience that can transfer across from the landscaping team. “The clubhouse has won awards for its architecture so it’s great for us to be able to elevate this property even further…” Your local Husqvarna specialist dealer Your local Husqvarna specialist dealer www. lakesmowers.co.nz Proud t supply and support Diva Landscapes 03 442 9926 | sales@lakesmowers.co.nz 162 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300