Kaponga / Stratford
Kaponga
Hollard Gardens
1686 Upper Manaia Rd, Kaponga
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Taranaki Regional Council
Hollard Gardens is a beautiful 4.5 hectare property located in central Taranaki farming country between Stratford and Kaponga, close to Egmont National Park.
It was established by Bernie Hollard in 1927 when he fenced off the remnant bush on the family farm and began to develop his true passion - a garden. Bernie became a widely respected and innovative plantsman and today Hollard Gardens comprises a plant collectionof national importance. It features an immense international range of plants as well as many rare and unusual natives - even the most experienced gardener can discover something new here.
Hollard Gardens, like Tupare and Pukeiti is a Taranaki Regional Council owned and managed property. At all three regional gardens there is a series of garden events and workshops throughout the year. Also numerous community groups use the gardens for guided visits and their own organised activities. Bernie’s Home Garden is an area now permanently open to the public and is the site for various activities during the Festival.
Open 9am - 8pm, admission free
Ph 0800 736 222 or visit www.trc.govt.nz
Or follow Facebook (TaranakiRegionalGardens)
Twitter (@TaranakiRG).
Stratford
Oliver Garden
377 Upper Stuart Rd, Stratford
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Craig Oliver
Two acres of immaculate garden, designed around mature trees and incorporating many rhododendrons, azaleas and wisterias. Sunken garden, maples and lake side areas add interest to this well-maintained garden. Five minutes from SH3.
Open 9am - 7pm, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Ph 06 764 7444, email craig_o@clear.net.nz
Mountside
137 Ronald Rd, Stratford
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Betty & David Brunton
Imaginative fun garden with a touch of fantasy. Features include an intriguing variety of formal and informal rooms, plant combinations with ponga structures hung with wisteria and clematis, a new stumpery and outstanding topiary. Browse in the fernery displaying orchids or play giant chequerboard games.
Open 9am - 8pm, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Ph/fax 06 765 6217, email mountside@xtra.co.nz
Ostler’s Garden
190 Warwick Rd East, Stratford
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Maureen Ostler
Maureen maintains these four acres of mature, informal country gardens. Take a peaceful walk around three dams planted with rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, wisterias, maples, fuchsias, hostas and an assortment of native trees and shrubs. Many ducks and swans reside here. From South: turn right on to Hills Rd, left on to Orlando St then right on to Warwick Rd. Picnic area available.
Open 8am - dusk, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Proceeds to Stratford Lions Club
Ph 06 765 5611
Cairnhill Garden
1054 Forgotten World Highway, Stratford
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June & Colin Lees
Exciting new extensions have been made to this country garden. Nestled under a canopy of deciduous trees and featuring many rhododendron, species and new releases. Hostas, heauchera and hanging baskets also add delight while ‘ascot ladies’ overlook the colourful iris beds. Mondo grass and large ‘white iberis’ flowers edge the sealed driveway. Buxus hedging and roses also make a statement. Fresh sourdough pancakes available.
Open 9am - 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Ph 06 762 2847, email colin.june.lees@xtra.co.nz
Gordon Dale Gardens
1237 Forgotten World Highway, Stratford
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Jan & Graeme Worthington
A large country garden featuring numerous rooms, outdoor living areas, small ponds and structures. A vast array of plants including, natives, maples, roses, rhododendrons, perennials and established trees. Take time out to admire the rustic totara furniture and crazy paving throughout the garden while enjoying beautiful mountain and farmland views. Parking on roadside available.
Open 9am - 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Ph/fax 06 762 2700
Email jandgworth@slingshot.co.nz
Hopkirk’s Gardens
280 Upper Mangaehu Rd, Makahu
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Jim Hopkirk
A scenic drive through beautiful eastern Taranaki hill country brings you to this large rustic country garden. This peaceful retreat, which has been open to the public for over 22 years, comprises extensive plantings including mature trees over 80 years old and more than 700 rhododendron varieties, maples, and native plants. 40km, 45 minutes approx from Stratford. Feel free to bring a picnic.
Open 9am - dusk, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Ph 06 762 3807
Merleswood
597 Beaconsfield Rd, Stratford
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Erica Jago
Merleswood has been gardened by the Jago family since 1904 and is now a 1¼ acre garden. Structural trees, the matriarch an 80 year old Elm, give this garden a special ambience. Flowering wisterias, rugosa hedgerows, maples and mass planted hostas add interest along with a seedling rhododendron collection. A recent development is the laburnum covered pegola leading to a cleverly developed pond edged by stunning plantings.
Open 9.30am - 4.30pm, admission 1 ticket or $4pp
Ph 06 765 6484, email mlj@xtra.co.nz
Te Popo Gardens
636 Stanley Rd, Stratford
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Lorri & Bruce Ellis
Bursting with colour, diverse landscaping and fabulous trees, this woodland garden also features shrub and perennial borders, ponds, waterfalls and fern gullies. A 30m suspension bridge hovers over the river gorge. The recently developed Dell is brimming with plants. Steps and boardwalk through the native forest complete the circle walk of this country paradise. Self contained accommodation is available. This property is for sale - enquiries welcome. Café for refreshments.
Open 9am - 5pm, admission 2 tickets or $8pp
Ph/fax 06 762 8775, email tepopo@clear.net.nz
www.tepopo.co.nz
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