Plants that settle in and survive summer

Christchurch soils range from stony plains gravel to heavy patches that hold winter water — new plants fail more often from the hole than from the plant. Barnleigh 2000 digs a proper hole, works in compost where it helps, firms and waters in, then mulches to carry the plant through its first dry nor'wester.

Autumn planting is the Canterbury sweet spot: warm soil, soft rain, and a whole winter of root growth before summer. Spring runs a close second. Summer planting can still work with the right aftercare and deep mulch, but it needs honest watering — that gets spelled out before anything goes in the ground.

• Shrubs, perennials and screening plants planted properly.
• Compost worked in and soil firmed, not just dropped in.
• Bark or wood-chip mulch to hold moisture and smother weeds.
• Watering guidance for the first critical summer.

Supply-your-own plants is fine, and plant suggestions for dry, shady or exposed spots can be talked through on the visit. Frost-tender choices get flagged before they meet their first southerly.