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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“If you think of gardening as an art form, Ayrlies is the best expression of that art.” This is a quote by Jack Hobbs, manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens. Situated in the gently rolling country of south-east Auckland, this is one of New Zealand’s best-known gardens, characterised by sweeping lawns and informal but detailed plantings by ponds and waterways

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.

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

Named to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the development of the Esplanade began in 1897 although the land was granted to the borough two decades before that time. Thus there are a significant number of registered trees in the garden. The Peter Black conservatory houses a wide range of tropical and subtropical plants where orchids feature as the single largest collection. Adjacent is a lathe house where cool climate exotics and native plants enjoy the overhead protection. A visitor Education Centre is located here also.

Omaka Lodge is a large country property featuring 3 beautiful acres of landscaped gardens. View a wide range of interesting planting, the 33-metre Rill overlooking Mount Hikurangi, and expansive countryside vistas. Onsite accommodation allows exploration at leisure.