If you’re a GARDEN ENTHUSIAST, there’s a lot to discover here

Spring into New Zealand’s gardens

CALLING GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS

From Kerikeri Mission Kerikeri the buildings, which include Station in Northland to Mission Station New Zealand’s oldest building, Walter Peak High Country Continuously cultivated for Kemp House. Farm Gardens on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, garden enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in New Zealand. over two centuries, the awardwinning garden at Kerikeri Mission Station is New Zealand’s oldest European garden. It Highwic, Newmarket, Auckland Heritage New Zealand describes Highwic as “a

Thanks to our diverse features an array of heritage must-visit for lovers of history, topography and a climate that roses, a riverbank orchard architecture and gardens”. ranges from hot and humid to and cottage garden flowerbeds The rambling Gothic mansion arid and alpine, you will find made to soften the landscape and various outbuildings fine examples of a range of of convict-hewn stone are set amidst extensive garden styles in public and that was used to build Victorian-themed grounds, private gardens up and down the Kerikeri Stone high hedges, mature the country. Store. Magnificent specimen trees, a fern

Here are six garden specimen trees Garden house, a croquet suggestions for your travels around New Zealand. offer shade and frame enthusiasts court (where you can enjoy a game) are spoilt for and a meandering choice in Lovers Walk. New Zealand. 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 Italian Renaissance Garden, Hamilton Gardens | credit: waikatonz.com 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

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

Kerikeri Mission Station Garden

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.

For more information on beautiful gardens around New Zealand, visit www.gardens.org.nz