20 minutes North of Dunedin is Doctor’s Point Garden, the area named after where Dunedin’s Doctors used to holiday at their weekend cribs. The 1 ¼ acre plant collection has over 1300 species and cultivars of native and exotic plants, many very rare or commercially unavailable. Dunedin’s climate is maritime with microclimates enabling sub-tropical plants to be grown alongside hardy species, Bananas to Trilliums, native alpines to carnivorous Sarracenia, continental Chinese trees to Cacti and succulents. The large selection of hardy trees are displayed in an arboretum setting with beds containing woodland plants and shrubs, a fern and Rhododendron dell sweep back to the house where alpines and sub-tropicals are found.

Willows Green – A Hillside Garden in the Heart of Marlborough

Willows Green is a thoughtfully designed hillside garden nestled in Blenheim’s Fairbourne Drive, overlooking vineyards and with views out toward the Wither Hills. Created by Dave and Kirsty Wraight, this private garden has been gradually developed since 2017 and continues to evolve, blending cottage charm with structural planting and seasonal colour.

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.

Nestled within a unique landscape, this enchanting garden is beautifully divided between a serene hillside and a lush, flat expanse, each offering its own distinct charm. The hillside garden winds gently upwards, showcasing over 150 vibrant Rhododendrons that burst into colour through the seasons. Their blooms form a breathtaking backdrop alongside native ferns and mature trees, creating a peaceful retreat for native birds, including the melodic tūī, which flit through the branches adding life and song to the air.

Descending from the hillside, the garden opens out into a tranquil flat area, designed in the relaxed, romantic style of an English cottage garden. Here, winding paths lead through a generous collection of cottage-style plants — foxgloves, delphiniums, hollyhocks, and roses mingle in a profusion of colour and scent. Carefully arranged perennial borders create a timeless feel, with flowers tumbling over pathways and framing quiet nooks perfect for reflection.

At the heart of the flat garden lie several serene fishponds, home to water lilies, reeds, and a variety of ornamental fish. The ponds reflect the sky and surrounding plantings, adding a sense of calm and movement. Nearby seating areas invite visitors to sit and enjoy the harmonious sounds of water and birdsong, completing this sensory-rich experience.

This garden offers a perfect balance between structured beauty and natural abundance — a haven for gardeners, bird lovers, and anyone seeking inspiration from nature’s palette.

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.

The garden has an enchanted wood feel attributed to its many shaded glades of Hellebores, avenues of bluebells, knot gardens, wandering Peacocks and the lake which was featured in two Lord of the Rings films.

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.

Ōhinetahi consists of a number of formal rooms, of differing style and character, arranged about two axes running east-west and north-south in the arts and crafts style. The formal lawn beside the house, has curved macrocarpa hedges at one end, balanced by a pool and pool house.

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.

This town garden is a showcase for New Zealand native plants and could be described as the epitome of the New Zealand garden. It contains a wide selection of plants arranged in a convincing fashion to reflect the natural environment.

Oakley Garden has carefully planned and fully planted garden rooms which are linked with hedge-lined paths.

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.