GARDEN TOURS

We have great pleasure in showcasing a selection of the Garden City and Canterbury’s award winning and nationally important gardens in these specially planned tours. 

Make your choice from half-day or full-day tours. Experience the hospitality of the garden owners and be inspired by the sheer beauty and creativity of these wonderful gardens. 

Organised by the Canterbury Horticultural Society, which has more than 20 years of tour planning and guiding experience within New Zealand and overseas. 

Most tours provide morning tea and some have lunch and afternoon tea. 

These are included in the price of the tour. 

An experienced guide will host each tour. 

All tours will depart at the designated time from the bus stop at the CBS Arena, Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch

Small City Gardens

HALF DAY TOUR OF THE CITY’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SMALL GARDENS

No.  4   Marion Morris 

Designed to compliment a contemporary inner- city home, the Morris garden maximises all of its 300 square metres with a combination of structure and softness.

No 11 Robyn Kilty

This small urban garden surrounds a Victorian workers cottage with a charming combination of cottage plants and colourful paint. The house is under restoration.

Te Wepu Jo Kerr

Lush vegetation creates an inviting framework for this spacious city garden. With a gentle running stream and meandering paths leading through a garden of native plants visitors are bound to be enchanted by Te Wepu’s unique tranquillity.

Marokapara Di Lucas

Adjoining a 1940’s townhouse, this garden features two courtyards which draw inspiration from the Canterbury Plains and Avon River corridor.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens Curator’s House Demonstration Garden
Inner City potager garden demonstrating simple ideas on planting, garden design and sustainable practices.

Cost $96.00  per person    includes morning tea
Wednesday 7 March 2012 - 8.30am-12.30pm  (SCG1)
Saturday 10 March 2012 - 1.30pm-5.30pm (SCG2)
Booking Information

High Country Gardens

FULL DAY TOUR INCLUDING HISTORY, HERITAGE AND HOSPITALITY WITH STATION OWNERS.

Peak Hill Station Annette and Michael Millar

Bounded by the Rakaia River and Lake Coleridge, iconic central New Zealand alpine scenery provides a dramatic backdrop for this striking garden. Established trees create a peaceful setting while balancing the pastoral flats and rippling high country tussocks.

The Point Teena and Steve Richards

Maintained by fourth generation family members this historic homestead is set amongst mature English trees and an attractive rhododendron garden
.
Middle Rock Lyn and Bruce Nell

The large homestead garden at Middle rock features attractive stone walls, a pond and perennial nursery specialising in alpine plants, many of which are old garden varieties. The garden is framed by panoramic views of the Mt Hutt mountain range which provides a lovely contrast to the speciality Himalayan poppies grown here. Also an interesting farm tour included.

Cost $ 135.00 per person       includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Wednesday 7 March, 2012 - 8.45am-5.15pm (HCG1)
Thursday 8 March , 2012  - 8.45am-5.15pm (HCG2)
Booking Information

Westlake & Tai Tapu Gardens

HALF DAY TOUR 

Frensham Ron and Margaret Long

This generous country garden is designed in a sequence of carefully thought out spaces including formal outdoor living areas, rolling lawns, relaxed colourful borders and a fine collection of trees.

Cassinia Gardens  Diane Burrows

This small 5 year old urban garden featuring shrubs, perennial and alpine plants ,gives a feeling of spaciousness as it looks over a reserve that was divided from the original property and remainsl cared for by Diane.

Westlake Renee and Les Dick

Established with much love , care and pruning , over 26years,this delightful garden features rhododendrons, flowering cherries, small trees, roses, perennials, deciduous azaleas, annuals and vegetable garden.

Westlake Lorna Dowdle

This small indoor outdoor garden displays Lorna’s love of flowers, and her artist’s touch and flair are evident throughout her home & garden, a visitor’s treasure trove.

Cost $96.00 per person    includes   afternoon tea
Thursday 8 March, 2012 - 1.30pm-5.00pm  (WTG1)
Sunday 11 March, 2012  -  1.30pm-5.00pm (WTG2)
Booking Information

Ohoka Country Gardens

HALF DAY TOUR IN THE POPULAR OHOKA AREA EXPLORNG A RANGE OF FORMAL AND RELAXING GARDENS.

Millwood Botanicals Shirley and Brian Minnis

A former Methodist Church, Millwood Botanics is renowned for its freeze drying facilities and production of rose petals for confetti-a process which will be demonstrated during the tour.

Millstream Elaine and John Lynn

A formal garden with a focus on themed “room gardens”, several water features and expansive lawns, hedging and ponds.

Aldrea’s Garden of Sculptures Allan O’Loughln and Andrea Wadsworth
A two acre haven of planted rooms adorned by stunning super -sized steel sculptures created by owner and sculptor, Allan O’Loughlin.

Wilson’s Mill Garden Lee Dunster

Brimming with flowers, plants, lakes and superb landscape design Wilson’s  Mill Garden illustrates beautifully why Canterbury has a reputation for stunning gardens.

Cost $119.00 per person     includes lunch
Friday 9 March 11.30pm-5.00pm  (OCG1)
Booking Information

Ohinetahi Governors Bay

HALF DAY TOUR
 
Ohinetahi Sir Miles Warren

This is recognised as one of the very best gardens in New Zealand has a strong structure and is created as a series of rooms including a walled red garden, formal rose garden and an herbaceous border leading to a gazebo. There are numerous stone and metal sculptures. Sir Miles Warren’s grand home has been badly affected by the September earthquake but the restoration &  rebuild of this magnificent home  has recently  been completed. 

Cost $65.00  per person   includes afternoon tea / morning tea
Wednesday 7 March, 2012 - 1.30pm-4.30pm (OGB1)
Friday 9 March, 2012 -   9.30am-12.30pm (OGB2)
Booking Information

Heritage Homes & Gardens

A HALF DAY TOUR EXPLORING THREE  OF THE CITY’S FINEST HOMES & GARDENS

The Moorings  Ngaire and Harry McLernon

Founded in 1906 this established family garden includes magnificent trees, a green oasis in the city.

Kate Shepherd House and Garden Julia Burbury

A property once owned by suffragette Kate Shepherd, this historic house and enchanting garden are kept in immaculate condition by Julia. The house has been heritage listed since 1993 but more recently, the home was upgraded to a category-one heritage building, more for the “social aspect” as opposed to the architectural merit, recently celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The Hanafin Garden  Jacquie and Laurie Hanafin

Established over 25 years ago this garden is a testament to the labour of love the Hanafin’s have invested in it. Impressive box hedging and an Oamaru stone pergola create an elegant statement.

Cost $ 96.00 per person   includes morning tea
Thursday 8 March, 2012 - 9.00am-12.30pm (HHG1)
Saturday 10 March, 2012 - 9.00am-12.30pm (HHG2)
Booking Information

Akaroa Art & Gardens

A FULL DAY TOUR WITH A FRENCH CONNECTION SHOWCASING THE STUNNING SCENERY AND NOTEWORTHY GARDENS OF BANKS PENINSULA

Little River Café Store & Gallery

A Peninsula landmark, this popular destination is a favourite stopover en route to Akaroa. The adjacent gallery features regular exhibitions by local artists and an impressive range of quality art and craft.

The Garden at French Farm Nancy and Bryan Tichborne

An extensive garden  complimenting the house and wider landscape. Streams, wildlife and two follies are an added attraction as is Nancy’s studio.

Fisherman’s Bay Garden Richard and Jill Simpson

Set against stunning Pacific Ocean  vistas this two hectare garden blends native and non- native plants to create a truly New Zealand garden. It includes a traditional flower border, large herb collection, foliage plantings and a lovely cottage vegetable garden.

Linton, The Giant’s House Sculpture Mosaic Art and Gardens Josie Martin

Trained in horticulture and art, Josie Martin combines her two passions throughout her unique home and garden. The flourishing garden is a place of creative enchantment – expect the unexpected at the Giant’s House!

Cost $ 150.00 per person       includes lunch
Friday 9 March, 2012  8.45am -5.00pm (AAG1)
Booking Information