TESS JAINE
Roses at the Queen's Gardens.
Nelson’s historic gardens The late poet and artist, Minnie Aumônier, wrote, “When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden”. Some of Nelson’s early settlers must have believed the same because, thanks to their efforts, the region has a rich heritage of public gardens that continue to provide solace and beauty in the heart of our communities today.
Words: Adrienne Matthews
W
e often take these special jewels in our local crown for granted and it can be a revelation taking time out to explore them. There are few more tranquil places than the 1.7 hectare Queen’s Gardens, set around an offshoot of the Maitai River, once called the Eel Pond, that was a source of kai for local Tangata whenua. In the early days of Nelson’s settlement it became an important central recreational area used for numerous public activities such as military parades, fly fishing, exercise, “promenading” and was also where the Acclimatisation Society introduced many fish and bird species. In 1887 the decision was taken to develop it as a public garden in honour of Queen Victoria’s fifty year jubilee. Several decades of work followed to establish the basis of the garden we enjoy today with more than 170 trees and shrubs planted on New Zealand’s first Arbour Day in 1892. These included, amongst others, a mixture of exotic and rare indigenous
trees such as Nikau palms, Cabbage trees, Magnolias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. These large specimen trees now provide a glorious canopy below which intense under planting of flowers and shrubs add to a rich tapestry of texture and colour. The character of the garden changes with the seasons and needs to be visited at different times of the year to truly be appreciated. In spring the vibrant orange clivias dazzle then the Roses and Hellebores begin their show. Other first-rate performances come from banks of wellloved perennials, purple Scabiosa, golden Alstroemeria, Centaurea, Hydrangeas and Abutilons. There are persimmon coloured Lilies specked with burgundy, heritage Geraniums, Hollyhocks and Hostas. Bird of Paradise, swathes of Renga Renga lilies and even some shocking pink Epiphyllum add to the mix. Waterlilies decorate the waterways and the creamy dogwoods shimmer on the banks.
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