Heroic Gardens

03 – Kevin Kilsby & Brent Scott

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:22:28 +0000

This gorgeous piece of sub-tropical paradise ranks consistently as one of the most visited gardens, providing an intensely colourful, lush setting for tiled water features, mosaics, sculptures and planters.

Kevin’s vibrant ceramic art fills his studio, set amongst the garden.

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14 – John & Karen McConnell

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:27:28 +0000

Inspired by a pocket of nikau and tree ferns, John and Karen have created a subtropical garden with sculptural bridge beam arches, rocks and Balinese-styled cut stone water feature. This garden favours hot colours, new and different plants, some formal elements and even a ‘room’ with herbs and vegetables.

04 – Robert Langholm & Simon Misdale

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:25:28 +0000

New Zealand’s largest private collection of bonsai, many over 60 years old (oldest is over 100).

Green tea hedge, a forest with 38 kauri, large trees trimmed bonsai style and native bonsai. Jewellery, plants on sale.

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07 – Geoffrey Marshall & John Hayward

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:24:28 +0000

This garden places a richly varied planting into a semiformal framework designed to extend and complement the lines of the house. The understated entrance belies the rich variety that lies hidden behind the gate. A magnificent old Pohutakawa lends its own charm while providing a canopy for shade loving subtropicals including orchids and bromeliads.

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01 – Glen Wilkin-Holland

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:28 +0000

A ‘tardis’ like garden that is much more than the sum of its parts. Amongst its many features are a tree-house, the ‘salvation’ border using both salvias & holy statues, herbaceous perennials and many fruiting and decorative trees.

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16 – Eric Walton & Wayne Deed

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:28 +0000

This large subtropical garden descends to a stream and water-lily ponds and provides access to neighbouring Heroic Garden at No 54. A plantsman’s garden with collections of palms, bamboo, gingers, canna, bromeliads, crinum and other subtropical plants, it provides an oasis of foliage and flowers and many surprises to delight.

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02 – Michelle Tohi

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:28 +0000

This relaxed suburban garden hosts a bromeliad collection with a Maori/Pacific flavour. Over 1200 plants, including many hard to find vrieseas and neoregelias, are interspersed with original mosaics, carved ponga and ceramics.

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24 – Mincher

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:28 +0000

Old orchards, waterways, formal and informal planting surround a Georgian styled home in this delightful large rural garden. Explore the native walkways, expansive grassed areas, the rhododendron walk, together with the traditional walled garden complete with gardener’s cottage and Victorian inspired glasshouses. A backdrop of typically Northland podocarp forest adds a different dimension to Mincher.

12 – William Somerville & Josie McNaught

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:28 +0000

This much admired garden has featured in many tours, and is memorable for its sophisticated and sensuous response to the elegant 1860’s house it surrounds. It contains the same evocative references to European tradition as the house but was fundamentally shaped by the desire to create attractive and comfortable spaces that flow from the house and respond to the Auckland climate.

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11 – Lesley Reid & Ross Travers

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:28 +0000

The site, sloping down to a meandering stream, evolved into a private and ever-changing garden with the help of Geoffrey Marshall. King ferns and tree ferns with native and tropical plants under some large existing trees create a rich texture of foliage and form enlivened by seasonal colour.