A selection of NZ gardens to visit
The latest garden to list on the site is Cottonwood, a 2 hectare garden set in rural Mid Canterbury, lovingly developed since 2005 by its current owners. Designed to be explored, the garden unfolds through a series of formal and informal spaces connected by winding paths that invite discovery. Visitors are guided through diverse plantings of both native and exotic species, with thoughtfully chosen combinations that provide year-round interest in colour, texture, and form. A Rhododendron walk, an organic kitchen garden, espaliered fruit trees, a gently meandering stream, and a pond are among the garden’s highlights.
View garden...
They are so good for the kids and adults it was like a world of wonder land with its hard worked products and tasty goods on the table. It might be made by hand, but you can tell it was worked on for months.
It is a must-see!
We were lucky enough to stay 3 nights in the B&B cottage on site at Aramatai Gardens (highly recommended!). Jill is a wonderful host and her garden is beautiful. The ponds, lovely trees, seating areas, and naturalistic pathways make this a very restful garden. We also enjoyed seeing the white geese waddling about, cute piglets in the adjacent paddock, and friendly farm dogs who greeted us warmly from over the fence. Jill’s garden is well worth visiting and I’d love to see it again in November/December, when the peonies and roses will be doing their thing.
Recently I visited the Blue House Garden in Amberley. If you have not visited this garden before, I highly recommend it for the plant selection and layout. It has a naturalistic theme which looks effortless (but won't be!) and that is a testament to owner and garden designer Jenny. Sumptuous photos on her Facebook and Instagram.
This garden excels at texture and layering and colour. Seed pods are left for effect, special plants are showcased but the ordinary is also special. Wee pots of succulents grouped together; thuggish plants behave very politely in very drought prone parts of the garden and the contrast between simple plants looks deceptively effortless. I think you get the message that this garden rates highly with me.
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful oasis with me.
It exceeded my expectations and the high tea was exquisite. You have inspired me to get on with my life projects!
An AMAZING garden that astonished us all from the time we drove into the palm lined driveway until we left - still shaking our heads about the hard work and vision that we had seen. MASSES of stunning bromelliads ...not usually a fan but I'm a convert now! Wonderful to see superb trees- both native and exotic - and clever plantings.Ann + Graham have created a beautiful ,interesting garden with both skill and foresight....there was always something lovely to see....such a treat.
I just wanted to thank you for allowing my twin sister and me to visit your amazing property last week. What an absolute inspiration and delight you are Judy. You’ve kept that dream alive after your dear husband passed and I think it’s keeping you going!! We so enjoyed the experience, swapping our funny gardening stories and seeing your beautiful garden. The photos don’t do it justice but I created a post on my own page, The Uralla Garden. Hope you don’t mind. I used some of the photos from your website but captioned them as such.
Hope you are well and once again thank you Judy
I just wanted to thank you for allowing my twin sister and me to visit your amazing property last week. What an absolute inspiration and delight you are Judy. You’ve kept that dream alive after your dear husband passed and I think it’s keeping you going!! We so enjoyed the experience, swapping our funny gardening stories and seeing your beautiful garden. The photos don’t do it justice but I created a post on my own page, The Uralla Garden. Hope you don’t mind. I used some of the photos from your website but captioned them as such.
Hope you are well and once again thank you Judy
"Thank you so much for giving us your time to visit your beautiful garden. Our ladies enjoyed listening to how the garden has been established. Much appreciation from Kotuku Garden Club."
Beautiful,intriguing and wonderfully cared for garden in Howick...full of lovely roses and plants. Val is a wonderful hostess and always thinking of her guests. The garden is easy to navigate with no steps/uneven lawn...crammed with points of interest and charm.
Gardens to visit is a collection of New Zealand's most beautiful gardens that open to the public.
