New Zealand is a Garden Lover's Paradise

If your idea of a great vacation is visiting beautiful gardens that showcase beautiful flowers and diverse native greenery, New Zealand should be at the top of your travel plans. Kiwis love their gardens and put a great deal of energy and effort into them. For fans of flora, the land of the long white cloud really is a bucket-list destination.

With more than 100 public and privately maintained gardens open to visitors in the country, these six are considered to have international significance as world-standard gardens: Ayrlies Garden, Dunedin Botanic Garden, Larnach Castle Garden, Te Kainga Marire, Trott’s Garden and Ohinetahi.

Ayrlies Garden

Located in Auckland, Ayrlies Garden is known as one of New Zealand’s best. Owned by avid gardener, Beverley McConnell, her passion for gardening is sculpted throughout 12 acres. Ayrlies shows off its design and horticultural finesse in these native wetlands, creating an awe-striking garden that lets the imagination run free.

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Dive further into the relationship between gardening and the people of New Zealand with the Dunedin Botanic Garden, which has been open since 1863. It features 6,800 plant species and birdsong from bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui.

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Larnach Castle Garden

Seen at the only castle in New Zealand, Larnach Castle Garden showcases gardening in all forms. From the Patterned Garden, the South Seas Garden, the Alice Lawn and the Rain Forest, Larnach Castle Garden focuses on providing its guests with an exceptional experience.

Te Kainga Marire

New Plymouth is home to Te Kainga Marire, which translated from Maori means “the peaceful encampment.” This inner-city garden focuses its attention on native flora, weaving the diverse variety of plants native to New Zealand to create a beautiful floral tapestry.

Trott’s Garden

Just outside Ashburton, Trott’s Garden displays its diversity through the separate areas in its layout: a woodland area that weaves its visitors through curving paths, water gardens featuring a soft stream, bog garden and pond, as well as a more formal garden with clipped topiary encased by large brick and iron gates.

Ohinetahi

Explore Sir Miles Warren’s private garden, Ohinetahi, located just outside Christchurch and overlooking the Lyttleton Harbour, surrounded by volcanic hills. While here, guests can learn about the history of Ohinetahi Homestead. For more information on Ohinetahi, e-mail Sir Warren at smilesw@xtra.co.nz or call 011.64.03.3299852.