Gardens

The selection of gardens in New Zealand is numerous. Below are afew of our ideas. You may wish to visit one place or create a full itinerary from our ideas with some of your own ideas.

Wairarapa

Ngaranui Gardens: Bee Blundells garden - A large garden featuring old and new roses, clematis and perennials. Lovely vistas, ponds, bog gardened woodland. There are many old trees - Birch Grove, Alders, wonderful old oaks and a lime walk.

Open 7 days by arrangement.

Ponatahi: 10 mins. north of Martinborogh on LHS. RD 2 ~ Carterton
Feel free to contact Bee Blundell on Phn: 06 306 9140 Fax: 06 306 9945

Abbortsford

A lovely small garden with spectacular view of the Wairarapa Hills, formal planting towards hills. Peaceful front lawn, roses & trees dominant here.  A nice stop if you are travelling down Castle point Rd.

Phone: 06 378 8763

Abbortsford Rd, RD9 (10ms out on Masterton) Castlepoint Rd

Westwood: Set in nine acres of large established trees, a meandering stream with magnificent mountain views. A large formal herb garden features limestone paths and a geometric design beside a stand of historic oaks.
Open by arrangement.

82 West St - Greytown. Phn: 06 304 8510

Te Whanga Gardens: This english - style garden is a must for all to view, whether you are a garden lover or not. Long meandering paths make this garden a perfect place to get lost in natures beauty of snowball viburnums, maples, Hand tree from Mexico and many more.

Te Kopi Rd off Gladstone Rd. Phn: Robin Borthwick 06 372 7798

Awaiti Gardens: Beautiful 6 acre garden of mature rhododendrons, including water areas, lavender walkways, 120 year old cottage tearoom and exquisite gifts which you can purchase from the gift shop.
Open Sept - May & all public holidays (other times by appointment).

Chester Rd, Carterton RD1. Phn/Fax: 06 379 8478 or 06 379 8578 Email: awaitigardens@xtra.co.nz

Otaki

Awanui Garden - (Garden Visits by appointment)

The garden is an assorted selection of natives and exotics, rhododendrons, camellias, roses and perennials. 

Its central focus is a barn on the edge of the lake.  Morning and afternoon teas available on request.  Visits by appointment only from 1st October to 30th April

103 Honi Taipua Street, Manakau RD 31, Horowhenua

Ph: 06 362 6788 ~ Fax: 06 362 2768

Email: penellis@xtra.co.nz

Universal FlowerCorp

Started in 1958 by world famous lily hybridizer Bill Doreen, and has been continued by new owners Peter & Kathy Leith.  Universal FlowerCorp is a large scale commercial cut flower operation, spanning some 9 hectares. 

Visitor options include a garden ramble through a garden established in 1958 specializing in hybrid lilies and mature trees, a tour around the flower growing facility - one of the largest technically advanced operations in NZ where over a million and a half stems are picked, processed and dispatched each year, and much more.

91 Fairfield Rd, Levin ~ Ph: 06 368 6654 ~ Fax: 06 368 5443

Email: universalflowercorp@paradise.net.nz

Woodland Garden

This lovely tidy Woodland garden has native birds evident, surrounded by protected forestry. Get lost in nature. 

Contact - Janet Askew, 06 364 2414, 149 Old Hautere Rd, Te Horo

Manawatu

Bloemendaal Garden

This is a “real garden for gardeners”. A well known garden, and close to Palmerston North central city.  This is a lovely garden.  Walk into another world.  Featuring many native trees, experience a Peaceful and relaxing walk through the different gardens.

Contact - John & Gytha Wyatt, 06 358 7288 - 40 Pahiatua St, Palmerston North

(Entry $4 adults, children free)

Pukemarama

A historic garden set in the coastal Manawatu providing a unique opportunity for visitors to see a majestic garden designed in the 19th Century. Colourful perennial gardens, roses old and new and other hidden secrets including a house built in 1900 by Russell and Bignall for Mr James McKelvie.
Open Labour weekend until Christmas. Closed Saturdays. Large groups & coaches by prior arrangement.

3 RD - Palmerston North. Phn/Fax: 06 324 8446

Cross Hills

One of the worlds finest collections of more than 2000 varieties of rhododendrons & azaleas. Plants are available for purchase. Enjoy a BYO picnic in their grounds or eat in at their garden café. Cafe is open Oct & Nov. Large groups will need to make advanced bookings.

Open every day from Sept - April. $6 admission for groups of more than twenty.

RD 54 Kimbolton. Phn: 06 328 5797 Fax: 06 328 5773

The Herb Farm

Tranquil, relaxing & humorous atmosphere.  A must see garden.  12 themed gardens, spacious, different and lovely to view.  Herbal workshops are available, and can be taylor-made to suit your group.  Groups get a guided tour with commentary. 

Cost: $3.50c (or $5 guided tour) adults, $2.00 children.  Season pass & kids quiz available. 

Contact: Lynn Kirkland, 06 326 8633 Address: Grove Rd, Ashhurst (10kms from Palmy)

Oaklee

"Discover the unique setting and experience the landscape activity" Enjoy a garden visit, farm walk or organise a garden party - Price by negotiation according to entertainment provided. Book now!
RD 9 Palmerston North

Phn/Fax: 06 329 3702 Mob: 025 288 5531 Email: carol.lewis@xtra.co.nz

Rangitikei

Waitoka

Owners Owen & Sherie Batley opened their garden to the public in 1995. A wide variety of shrubs & perennials. The gardens are designed around a number of themes from the colourful rhododendrons to the fish-filled ponds.

• Plant sales area
• Picnic tables located around the garden
• Complimentary tea & coffee
  Open Oct - May

Phn: 06 388 1112 or 06 388 0608 Fax: 06 388 7822
Email: waitoka@ihug.co.nz Web: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~waitoka

Westoe Garden

Westoe Garden is part of the NZ agriculture association.  This park like & woodland garden features many native trees.  Very sheltered old river terrace.

Morning teas can be catered with prior notice.  Groups are able to bring packed lunches, and can have lunch in the picnic area.

Contact: Jim & Diana Howard, 06 327 6350,  Location: RD1, 8km Nth of Bulls on the Fielding Rd off SH1, Marton

The Ridges

Featured in many publications all over the world, The Ridges is an old country garden set on a terrace above the Rangitikei River. A sheltered environment for rhododendrons, maples, lilies and hostas. You will take in a stunning view of the Ruahine Ranges, native bush and surrounding countryside. $10 pp.

RD 1 - Marton 5460. Phn: 06 327 8484 Fax: 06 327 8279 Email: theridges@xtra.co.nz

Mungoven

"A Garden of Many Rooms with Surprises around Every Corner..."
Get a "taste" of Mungoven garden, with spring bringing rhododendrons, azaleas, mollis, dogwoods, magnolias, wisteria, clematis, and summer bringing perennials and roses.

• Admission $5 p.p with 10% discount for large groups.
• Morning & afternoon tea available by prior arrangement $4 pp.

20 Tutaenui Rd - Marton.

Phn: 06 327 6631 Fax: 06 327 6630 Email: mungoven@xtra.co.nz

Nikau Hill Nursery

Visit Doreen & Derek Higginsons’ boutique nursery and water gardens. There are twenty four varieties of water lilies, bog plants, aquatica, wetland plants and grasses, shrubs, trees, natives, succulents and perennials.

• Free entry to garden. Tours $3pp.
• Picnic Area available
• Devonshire teas & light lunch by appointment

4711 Makirikiri Rd~RD1 - Marton.

Phn: 06 327 4131 Fax: 06 327 4133
Email: nikau.hill@xtra.co.nz Web: www.nikauhill.co.nz