GRAHAM SHIEFF - LOCAL LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Pt Chevalier resident Graham Shieff, co-director of Ponsonby-based toy shop bebabo, has always had a love of plants and gardening. At the age of three he would follow his father around their Takapuna garden helping to plant seedlings and water them in.

After completing his education at St Kentigern College he decided to study Horticulture at Lincoln University in Canterbury, Graham attained a Degree in Horticulture in 1977. He gained valuable practical horticultural experience with the Auckland Regional Authority during his pre entry year. Graham’s landscape crew would visit parks and reserves throughout Auckland and North Auckland engaging in a variety of tasks including tree maintenance and planting.

Graham’s favourite site was Auckland International Airport where his team planted hundreds of New Zealand native trees and shrubs including Pohutukawa and Norfolk Pine, which have grown into impressive specimens.

Following his practical year, Graham studied at Lincoln University and thoroughly enjoyed the wide range of subjects within his degree including landscape design, fruit production, horticultural engineering and pests and diseases.

In 1980, Graham started his own small business, an indoor plant shop located in Customs Street, Auckland Central. He gained valuable experience in retailing while operating the plant business. Graham’s landscaping business serves clients all over Auckland and to date has completed projects further afield in Raurimu, near Mt Ruapehu, on Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf and Sydney.

Over the past 30 years Graham has developed a vast knowledge of trees, shrubs and indoor plants. His landscaping business offers a range of services including consultation, innovative garden design, implementation and maintenance. Graham offers a paving service and lawn installation and care. Garden and lawn irrigation are a specialty.

Graham is dedicated to completing all projects in a professional manner leaving his clients completely satisfied and recommending him to their friends. Graham’s ambition is to operate one of Auckland’s top landscaping companies.

GRAHAM SHIEFF LANDSCAPE DESIGN, M: 021 997 743, www.gardenhelp.co.nz