Top New Zealand gardens on show during Spring Festival
04 Sep 2006
With New Zealand's showiest trees on display, the natives flowering and the rhododendrons shining, the New Zealand Spring Festival is showing visitors the way to visit an array of New Zealand gardens, art and floral displays.
The Northland Kauri festival kick starts the festivities by celebrating the kauri, the country's most majestic tree. Several of the world's largest living kauri trees are in Northland, including the largest Tane Mahuta, 51 metres high and over 1500 years old.
Throughout the region, the stories of the kauri and the people are intertwined and the festival provides a way for these stories to be shared. The festival features a range of activities including, kauri carving demonstrations, evening walks through the Puketi and Waipoua forests with local guides and art exhibitions.
The place to be in November is the Ellerslie International Flower Show in Auckland, showcasing the best of New Zealand's horticulture, floral and landscape design.
A novel feature at this year's event is the 'Avenue of Gold'. A hand picked selection of previous gold medal winners and their new, fresh garden designs will be displayed side by side to create a hall of fame effect. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view gardens from various other international flower shows.
Winner of a Silver Gilt and People's Choice at the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show, Karen Lowther is responsible for the overall look and feel of the Ellerslie show this year. Kate Hillier, a member of gold medal winning teams at previous Chelsea and Ellerslie shows, is overseeing the selection and development of this year's gardens.
On the West Coast of the North Island, the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival boasts 15 gardens of National or Regional Significance. Kim Jarrett, designer of jungle sets for Peter Jackson's King Kong, will be designing a Len Lye (New Zealand artist) inspired garden on Taranaki's coastal walkway. The design to feature Len's Wind Wand creation will officially open the festivities on 28 October 2006.
During the 10-day festival, visitors will have the opportunity to meet garden owners as they wander around 47 gardens. A series of garden experts will also be on hand at various gardens throughout the festival to offer advice and gardening tips.
Vineyards, hidden valleys and the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive will feature at Hunters Garden Marlborough this November.
Iconic properties renowned for their gardens, such as Timara Lodge, Barewood and Hortensia have been added to the mix this year, and visitors will be shown to each property by their own local guide.
Workshops are also available this year with Xanthe White, who won a Silver Gilt award at Chelsea Flower Show 2006 for her 100% Pure New Zealand garden.
Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty will take centre stage with the Bayleys Garden and Artfest. Spoilt for choice, 90 gardens are on show, ranging from private contemporary to rambling country estates. A variety of New Zealand art pieces will be on display at various gardens and 'art stop' venues, refreshment sites will also be available between venues, for wine or coffee.
Event Dates:
Northland Kauri Festival, 14-30 September
Taranaki Rhododendron & Garden Festival,
27 October - 5 November
Ellerslie International Flower Show, 15-19 November
Hunters Garden Marlborough, 1-6 November
Bayleys Garden and Artfest, 6-12 November
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