Anderson Park Gardens, Invercargill Including an area of native bush, Anderson Park has an extensive spring display of rhododendrons and azaleas.
In summer roses and perennials as well as a display of annual bedding plants provides plenty of interest.
Address: McIvor Rd, Invercargill
Open- Daily- from dawn to dusk
Entrance Fee- Free
Owner- Invercargill City Council
Tel +64 3 217-7368; Fax +64 3 217-5358
Bannerman Park, Gore Established in the main since the 1960's, Bannerman Park has collections of rhododendrons, birches and conifers.
Spring flowering daffodils, cherries, magnolias and rhododendrons contribute interest.
Address: Crewe Street, Gore
Open- Daily- from dawn to dusk
Entrance Fee- Free
Owner- Gore District Council
Tel +64 3 208-9080; Fax +64 3 208-9087
Tudor Park, Invercargill 1.5h (4 acres) of formal and informal garden. Seats and arbours placed to enjoy the vistas towards the surrounding mountains.
Old roses, rhododendrons, clipped hornbeam hedges and water gardens are just some of the features of this long-established garden
Address: Ryal Bush, 21 Lawrence Rd, Invercargill (Postal: RD 6 Invercargill)
Open- Daily 10.00am - 7.00pm 26 October to 3 November and 1 to 9 February; By appointment all year
Entrance Fee- $3.00
Groups by appointment; Children must be accompanied; Wheelchair access; No dogs
Facilities- WC, Teas by appointment, plants for sale
Owner- Joyce and John Robins
Tel +64 (0)3 221 7150; Fax +64 (0)3 221 7150
Dunedin Botanic Garden, Dunedin The Botanic Gardens are famous for their extensive collection of rhododendrons, many found amongst surviving native bush. The lower garden is more formal and includes a rose garden and pond.
A good native plant section is also to be found in the Upper garden
Address: Lovelock Avenue, Opoho Road & Great King Street, Dundein
Open- Daily from dawn to dusk
Information Centre- 10.00am to 4.00pm
Closed- Christmas Day
Entrance fee- Free
Owner- Dunedin City Council
Tel +64 3 474 3368; Fax +64 3 477-8052
The entrance to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens
The Briars, Omarama The Briars is in the New Zealand High Country near Mount Cook, an impressive mountain setting for a garden. Formal gardens are arranged on hillside terraces and flats which blend into the countryside. Arranged in intimate and restful rooms and surrounded by impressive mountain scenery. The Monastery Garden has a handsome statue amidst box-edged gardens.
Address: Ahuriri Heights, SH 8, Omarama, Otago (Postal: PO Box 98 Omarama)
Open- 10.00am to 4.00pm all year; Groups by appointment
Entrance fee- $3.00 adult
Facilities- WC, also Teas by appointment
Directions- 2 kms nort of Omarama on SH 8
Owner- Marylou & Don Blue
Tel +64 (3)438 9615; Fax +64 (3)438 9655; Website: www.mtcook.org.nz/briars/gardens.html/ and email: info@mt cook.org.nz
Hosta Garden, Glencoe A woodland garden heavily underplanted with hostas, including a wide range of species and new cultivars. Brick pathways, rocks, retaining walls and steps made from sleeper give structure. A bog garden, many trees and shrubs, the spring colours of rhododendrons and azaleas, followed by roses, clematis and paeonies in summer make this garden full of interest.
Address: 111 MacDonald Road, Glencoe, Southland (Postal: RD 2, Invercargill)
Open- 9.00am to 5.00pm Wednesday to Saturday from 1 October to 31 March; Groups by appointment
No Dogs, Children must be accompanied, Wheelchair access
Closed- Sunday to Tuesday all year, and every day from 1 April to 30 September
Entrance fee- Yes
Facilities- WC, Plant Nursery, Gift Shop
Directions- From SH 96 between Gore and Winton, north of Glencoe turn into MacDonald Road, the garden is 5 minutes from SH 96 on your left.
Owner- Gaynor & Chris Miller
Tel +64 (3)230 6144; Fax +64 (3)230 6144
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, Dunedin The garden holds a collection of rhododendrons and other spring flowering trees and shrubs in a sheltered valley.
A collection of exotic trees, some planted in the 1870's contributes additional interest. A bush walk gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy the bountiful birdlife. Glenfalloch Garden has been awarded "Garden of National Significance" status by the New Zealand Gardens Trust
Address: 430 Portobello Road, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin.
Open - Daily from dawn to dusk
Entrance - Adults $5, Children Free
Owner - Otago Peninsula Trust
Tel +64 3 476-1006; Fax +64 3 476-1137
Maple Glen, Wyndham 8 hectare (20-acre) gardens for all season, special conifer collection, mature tree plantings, birds, ponds and more
Address: 1 RD Wyndham, Southland
Open- 2.00pm - 4.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday all year
Closed- Sundays
Entrance Fee- Donation
Facilities- WC, Plants for sale,
Owner- Davison family
Contact rdavison@xtra.co.nz
Gore Public Gardens, Gore The original plantings in the 1870's include many mature elms and a huge Wellingtonia. Roses, peoinies, bedding displays and spring bulbs provide year-round interest.
Autumn is a feature with the many sorbus and maples providing wonderful colour.
Address: Fairfield Street, Gore
Open- Daily from dawn to dusk
Entrance Fee- Free
Owner- Gore District Council
Tel +64 3 208-9080; Fax +64 3 208-9087
Oamaru Public Gardens, Oamaru The impressive main gates lead to the gardens set along the banks of the Oamaru Stream in a wooded valley.
The rose garden, rhododendrons and azalea collections are worthwhile, and the Chinese garden pays tribute to the contribution and heritage of the many Chinese who have lived in this area since last century
Address: Chelmer Street, Oamaru
Open- Daily from dawn to dusk
Entrance fee- Free
Owner- Waitaki District Council
Tel +64 3 434-1658; Fax +64 3 434-1144
Queens Park, Invercargill The large park includes a golf course, while the gardens have an interesting collection of roses, camellias, rhododendrons and many New Zealand native plants.
Address: Gala Street & Queens Drive, Invercargill
Open- Daily 9.00am to dusk
Entrance fee- None
Owner- Invercargill City Council
Tel +64 3 217-7368; Fax +64 3 217-5358
Stuart's Garden, Wanaka An all seasons garden of 0.5 hectares (1.5 acres) in Central Otago's wonderful mountains. Winter emphasis on texture and structure, spring features colour, while the hot dry months of summer and autumn are special for cool shady areas and streamside plants. Hellebores, cyclamen, aconites, bulbs, primulas, rare alpines, trees and shrubs, old roses and herbaceous borders make this a plantmans garden. Spectacular autumn colour.
Address: 32 Warren Street, Wanaka, Otago
Open- daily all year; Groups by appointment, No dogs, Children must be accompanied, Wheelchair access
Entrance fee- $2.00 each for groups of 10 or more
Facilities- WC, Plant Nursery, Gift Shop
Directions- Take main road into Wanaka, after passing both garages and the Hotel, take the first left turn into Helwick Street. Cross Warren Strret. The garden is the first house on the left.
Owner- Keith & Pat Stuart
Tel +64 (3)443 8866; Fax +64 (3)443 8866
Stuart's Garden, Wanaka, Otago
Belle Fleur Garden, Winton New Zealand's leading dahlia specialist's display garden set in rural Southland. One hectare of gardens feature 2,500 dahlias in beds edged with begonias and annuals. The latest dahlia varieties and old favourites.
Address: Drain Road, Northope, Southland (Postal: Drain Road, Northope, RD 4, Invercargill)
Open- Daylight to dusk from February to Easter; Groups by appointment, No dogs, Children must be accompanied, Wheelchair access
Closed- April (Easter onwards) to end January
Entrance fee- No charge
Facilities- WC, Plant Nursery
Directions- From Invercargill take the highway towards Riverton, after crossing the Oreti Rivertake the first right, and then turn into Drain Road (15kms). Belle Fleur Garden is the second house on the left.
From Winton travel north on the highway to Queenstown, after passing Winton cemetery take the first left. After crossing the Oreti River take the first left and then turn into Drain Road (15kms). Belle Fleur Garden is the second house on the left.
Owner- Walter & Kathleen Jack
Tel +64 (3)236 8523; Fax +64 (3)236 0594
Belle Fleur Garden, Southland
The information here is believed to be correct but changes do occur. There may be closures and changes to times of opening. Entrance fees may vary without notice. bestgardening.com cannot take any responsibility for any errors, changes or omissions. Visitors travelling a distance to visit a garden are advised to check opening times with the owners before setting out.
