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.

This lush, colourful fragrant garden frames the 100 year old homestead that is the heart of Barewood. Located a pleasant 35 minute drive from Blenheim, Barewood has been developed within a framework of mature trees. A simple water feature greets visitors on arrival. The rambling century-old homestead with wide verandahs wreathed in wisteria and old-fashioned roses flows smoothly into colourful mixed borders and sweeping lawns.

Tucked behind a 1964 Modernist courtyard house in Lyall Bay, The Haven is a richly layered retreat designed for colour, texture and year-round interest. The house, recognised for its architectural heritage, provides a strong design framework: courtyards and pergolas create sheltered outdoor rooms that connect seamlessly to the architecture.

The garden is best experienced as a sequence of spaces. Visitors enter through the modernist courtyard, paved with patterned tiles and dotted with succulents, pelagoniums, and a reflective pond. From here, a path leads to the Blue Pergola Garden — a long, narrow sanctuary where climbers, roses and passionfruit weave through a rhythm of painted pergolas.

At its heart, a bubbling urn and clusters of salvias create vibrant focal points, with seating placed for quiet contemplation.

Silkwood Lodge Garden is a small native and sub-tropical Balinese style oasis, showcasing wider vistas and secluded seating areas.

The first view of the garden is from the street, where a deliberate effort has been made to include the road edge beyond the property.

Local moss covered rocks, sculptures, South Island schist pavers, tile steps, hardwood fences, hedges, wooden decks and ornate gates from Nepal, Java and Bali are all important aspects, giving structure to the garden. Mass plantings of clivia under nikau trees, crocuses, bromeliads and vireyas help to compliment the view.

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.

Longbush Cottage is A modern cottage garden located in beautiful central-Wairarapa, New Zealand. A sanctuary of serenity and a haven for all plant enthusiasts. Open by appointment, and hosting events throughout the year.

This former greywacke quarry has been transformed into an arboretum over the past 32 years. It provides the foundation for a unique art-in-nature concept throughout its 17.5 hectares where imaginations are inspired, creative exploration encouraged and mental and physical health nurtured. 

Heritage Park Gardens at Kimbolton remains true to its name and origins as a 4.5-hectare garden of specimen rhododendrons, trees, kowhai, and perennial plants collections. Mature specimens of the former New Zealand Rhododendron Association plant beds wind across the top lawns and landscapes dipping down towards five ponds.

This magnificent country garden is nestled in the Waipara Valley wine region, 45 minutes north of Christchurch.  Set against a backdrop of an architecturally designed, working winery, tasting room and Deli. Expansive lawns sweep down to lakes and red Japanese bridges. Take time to wander, feed the eels or just sit and relax.