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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These beautiful gardens were started in the 1870s when two of the region’s oldest introduced trees were planted – the Sycamore and Oak, which are now protected. A native Kauri tree was also planted there in the 1960s and, in the decades since, the gardens have gradually evolved and been enhanced.

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.

Just north of New Plymouth, John and Diana have transformed a 10 acre lifestyle block bound by the Waiongana River into a tranquil elegant working country garden. This has results in the property being voted as one of Taranaki’s most sought-after and unique wedding ceremony venues.

Perennial borders with camellias, rhododendrons and roses surround a large lawn. The garden is full of surprises which include aviaries, a native dell and a shade house. In 2005 the owners acquired an old Methodist church which they relocated to Openlands. Once renovated, and with the surrounding area attractively landscaped, it rapidly became a main feature of the gardens and now makes a perfect venue for weddings.

Gifted to the citizens of Whanganui, Bason Botanic Garden has been developed from bare farmland since 1966. Extensive roading allows the visitor to tour the garden without leaving their vehicle while tree plantings, widespread lawns and modern conservatories have added a completely new dimension.

Woodend Gardens are situated just five minutes north of Blenheim. A formal gateway and extensive curved driveway lined with blue agapanthus sets a stunning scene for the established gardens.

In late spring it has one of the best displays of Chatham Island forget-me-nots to be seen and at that time also features bearded iris, roses and rhododendrons. A pergola covered in wisteria and jackmanii clematis leads past an ample vegetable area to a wide lawn where a children's play house adds a whimsical note.

Established from a bare paddock in 1996, this is a half an acre garden to nourish the body and mind. Trees, shrubs and clipped forms - both native and exotic - give the garden a good sense of structure. Pathways guide and intersect the subtly separated garden rooms.

Bannerman Park dates from the 1870s but the little valley was full of gorse and broom until cleared in the 1960s. Extensive plantings of rhododendrons, conifers and silver birches were established at that time and 20 years later the creek beds were developed with bog plants. Since then herbaceous and woodland subjects have been added.

Pleasantly situated just across from the lake, this garden is unexpected in such a locality. A children's railway runs through one part and it also includes a much-used playground and Superloo. The lake side portion is devoted entirely to a well-chosen and well -cared for selection of native trees ornamented by stone sculptures. A long mixed border leads along the far perimeter where a fine selection of plant material can be seen. An excellent and quite large rose garden well-labelled and well-tended can be found on the other side of the museum building.

Shalendy garden was established in 1990 from a bare paddock to complement our new home and create a piece of paradise to look good all year round.

Come and enjoy a relaxed art and garden experience strolling along a gentle 1km sculpture & garden trail set in a tranquil and inspirational rural oasis located at award winning Kaipara Coast Plant Centre, just 40 minutes drive from Auckland City.

Ngahuha has large stands of both temperate and sub-tropical plants have been augmented by water features, stonewalling and meandering walkways throughout the garden. This is a garden of interest in all seasons.

The Rusty Acre is home to Sculptor, Allan O'Loughlin and his partner Andrea. It is situated 25mins north of Christchurch in a settlement called Mandeville.