Willow Springs Garden, nestled within seven lush acres in Christchurch, embodies resilience, beauty, and natural heritage. Born from the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes, this garden has become a sanctuary for treasured plants rescued from the devastated 'red zones' of Christchurch and Kaiapoi. Over an 18-month period, mature rhododendrons, magnolias, maples, and other cherished specimens—some nearing 80 years old—were painstakingly relocated here, now thriving as symbols of hope and renewal.

The Ashburton Domain and Gardens is located at 337 West Street (State Highway 1), to the north and west of the Ashburton CBD. The Domain is considered the most regionally significant reserve within the Ashburton District. Many consider it as the ‘jewel in the crown’ for the Ashburton District. Ashburton Hospital borders the park to the west. The Domain has a Reserve Category of Public Garden Sport and Recreation. It’s total size is 37.6147 ha in area. The Domain provides public open space with sport and recreation facilities, situated in beautiful gardens of botanical significance lined by mature trees.

Set within the rolling landscape of Mangaroa Farm in Upper Hutt, Wellington. Woodcote is being cultivated as a vibrant, biodiverse sanctuary for the community—a place where people of all ages can connect with nature, learn from the land, and enjoy peaceful moments together. Originally structured around formal hedges, roses, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas, the garden is now evolving to include a rich tapestry of native plants and edible species, blending ornamental beauty with ecological purpose. Large conifers and deciduous trees provide shelter and seasonal colour, framing expansive lawns that invite play, picnics, and quiet reflection.

Two years young but in garden years already a precocious beauty. Red Sheds was imagined, designed and continues to be created with simplicity in mind. Where a thorough understanding of structure replaces high maintenance. Every space must earn its keep, always in proportion and with attention to scale.

Enter by a long driveway of elm trees on one side, and on the other oak trees.

There are historic trees, some of which would have been planted in the 1800s: Scarlet oak, English oaks, Linden tree, Parrotia persica, and a magnificent Melia, also a row of long established Plane trees lead to the truffiere. There are lovely autumn colours, especially on the large front lawn. This front lawn has a spectacular view to the north. There is also room for croquet, tennis, badminton on other large lawns surrounding the homestead.

The original vision for the gardens created by Barry Cox in the early 2000s was to create a private garden of peace and serenity reflecting his love of trees and church architecture.  The gardens tend to reflect largely English and European landscaping traditions.

Nestled in the peaceful suburb of Flat Bush, Auckland, the garden at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of New Zealand offers a tranquil sanctuary where nature and spirituality meet. Designed in the spirit of Humanistic Buddhism, the garden features manicured hedges, symbolic sculptures, and stone-paved paths that invite mindful walking and quiet reflection.

Lan Yuan - Dunedin Chinese Garden is an authentic example of a late Ming early Ching Dynasty scholar’s garden and celebrates the Chinese influence on Otago's history and heritage.

Over a century old, this large garden surrounding historic Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula is at an altitude of 300 metres. The scenery is spectacular and though the garden is subjected to wind and low rainfall it contains a unique collection of plants seldom seen elsewhere. Some remnants from the original plantings 120 years ago - Cupressus macrocarpa, planted extensively for shelter and a cedar to one side of the castle - give an air of maturity. The plantings reflect the owner's interest in New Zealand plants and in their southern hemisphere relations.

The Botanic Garden is a garden of great variety with the Leith Stream on the southern boundary and Lindsay Creek running through the middle dividing the garden in two. From the formal, almost level area of the lower garden with its herbaceous borders, rose garden, camellia collection, herb garden and the beautifully planted Lister Garden, to the major collection of plants in the rock garden on the slopes leading to the upper garden, there are features for all to enjoy.

It is just 10 minutes' drive from Wellington's central business district to the five hectare Ōtari – Wilton’s plant collections and 90 hectares of bush where you may find some of the mature podocarp bush that once covered much of the city. This unique plant sanctuary has this country's foremost collection of native plants including many rare and endangered species.

The Giant’s House sculpture mosaic garden is colourful, exuberant, interactive, romantic, fun and full of surprises. It is set on a sheltered, north-facing, sunny hillside in a valley in Akaroa, 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch. The garden surrounds the large historic house owned by the first BNZ Bank Manager and built from totara and kauri. There are flat areas around the house and terraced gardens gently wind up the hillside. Contrasting historic with contemporary art and balancing gardens with sculptures, it is a unique creation.

Approached by a chestnut-lined drive which winds past old orchards and streams, Mincher, a large rural garden just north of Auckland’s CBD, is home to many varities of waterfowl and birdlife including Grey Teal, Aylesburys, Kingfishers, Shining Cuckoos, Tui and Kaka.

Flaxmere is a North Canterbury high country garden sitting beneath the main rib of Southern Alps. This large 7 acre garden is boldly designed to make the most of alpine views with strong axes and cross axes focusing on the surrounding mountain and pastoral environment. Heavy old bridge timbers and stone walls reflect a country atmosphere, and a feeling of peace & romance abides here, amidst dramatically changing seasons.

Broadfield Garden is about 3.5 hectares established 20 years. It aims for excellence in design, planting and maintenance. Originality is a priority. Many natives are used formally and informally as are NZ raised varieties of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Camellias, Cherry Cornus, Maples, Peony Perennials, Daffodils, Lily, and Roses.

Tūpare is a premier landscaped garden with a stunning Chapman-Taylor designed house in the Arts & Crafts style.

Over the last 33 years Doreen and Mike have created a 3 acre garden from a blank canvas. This expansive and tranquil garden is set on their small farm in the Amuri Basin.

Our relaxed country garden started thirty years ago. In the early days I had very little gardening experience and no vision for the site, but an interest in plants was quickly developing. Over the years, with much trial and error, a garden has emerged which we and our visitors do enjoy. Much thought has gone into the placement of colour, the short and long distance views, and the filtering of light which is created by judicious pruning.

Set on 1 hectare of land, you walk through the picket gate into the garden of Coldstream with its mature oaks, and silver birch creating height and breadth within the canopy, and large garden beds of established roses, camellias, and rhododendrons. The large pond, naturally filtered by Coldstream creek provides a number of magical pathways full of restful spots to take in the grandeur of the property.

Olveston is an authentic and original historic home depicting the life of a wealthy merchant family in the early part of the twentieth century.