Public and pri vate g a r de ns
written by TBA written by Sara Carbery by TBA / photography
Spring into New Zealand’s gardens CALLING GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS
F
rom Kerikeri Mission Station in Northland to Walter Peak High Country Farm Gardens on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, garden enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in New Zealand. Thanks to our diverse topography and a climate that ranges from hot and humid to arid and alpine, you will find fine examples of a range of garden styles in public and private gardens up and down the country. Here are six garden suggestions for your travels around New Zealand.
Kerikeri Mission Station
Kerikeri Mission Station Garden
the buildings, which include New Zealand’s oldest building, Kemp House.
Continuously cultivated for over two centuries, the awardHighwic, winning garden at Kerikeri Newmarket, Auckland Mission Station is New Zealand’s Heritage New Zealand oldest European garden. It describes Highwic as “a features an array of heritage must-visit for lovers of history, roses, a riverbank orchard architecture and gardens”. and cottage garden flowerbeds The rambling Gothic mansion made to soften the landscape and various outbuildings of convict-hewn stone are set amidst extensive that was used to build Victorian-themed grounds, the Kerikeri Stone high hedges, mature Store. Magnificent specimen trees, a fern specimen trees house, a croquet Garden offer shade court (where you enthusiasts and frame can enjoy a game) and a meandering are spoilt for Lovers Walk.
choice in New Zealand.
Italian Renaissance Garden, Hamilton Gardens | credit: waikatonz.com
Hamilton Gardens
The emphasis at Hamilton Gardens is on different types of garden design, with the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4000 years. Over more than 54 hectares, they tell the story of different civilisations in gardens such as the Indian Char Bagh Garden, the Italian Renaissance Garden and the Tudor Garden. Gardens in its Productive Collection include Te Parapara, Aotearoa’s only traditional productive Māori garden showcasing traditional practices, materials and ceremonies relating to food production.
Taranaki Garden Festival
Tūpare Garden, Taranaki
46 disc overnew zealand . ki w i
Best known for its brilliant spring-flowering rhododendrons, Taranaki is one of New Zealand’s most diverse gardening regions and the Taranaki Garden Festival (30 October to 8 November) is
Highwic Garden
a highlight for garden enthusiasts. Described as a ‘spring celebration of glorious gardens and events’, it features more than 40 public and private gardens.
Waimarama Community Gardens, Nelson
For something a little different, why not check out the Waimarama Community Gardens next time you’re in Nelson. Established by volunteers over 20 years ago, many hours have been donated over the years to create these beautiful edible gardens. The Trust offers workshops and invites visitors to wander around the gardens to meet, socialise and share their knowledge.
Walter Peak High Country Farm Gardens, Queenstown
This private garden lies on the western shore of Lake Wakatipu and is accessible from Queenstown via the iconic TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship as part of Real Journey’s Walter Peak High Country Farm tour. A garden highlight in spring and summer are two kaka beak shrubs (Clianthus puniceus), a critically endangered species normally only found in the North Island, and a mix of shrub, floribunda and hybrid tea roses that come into bloom. or more information on F beautiful gardens around New Zealand, visit www.gardens.org.nz
