Chance to ramble in special Dannevirke gardens

Jad Suttor in her rambling country garden, one of five open to the public this weekend between 10am and 4pm. Photo/Christine McKay

Jad Suttor's sprawling country garden is a tranquil oasis she shares with her bed and breakfast guests.

The large garden is one of five open on Saturday as part of the Dannevirke garden walk, with funds raised from the $3 entry fee from this property and Annette Clendon's town garden going to a young man who faces expensive cancer-drug treatment.

Jad and her late husband redesigned the Umutaoroa Rd garden when they arrived in Dannevirke and Jad continues the work, with new gardens still being created.

The ever-changing Ruahine Ranges provide a perfect backdrop to the garden

"We just pushed and pulled. You can never plan a garden like this. Things just grow here," Jad said.

"If you end up in Dannevirke and you like gardening, it's a happy accident."

With peaceful corners and long wonderful vistas of borrowed landscape, the garden has something for everyone.

A sheltered spot in front of Jad Suttor's country home.

"Some things you try and they don't work and then the wind comes . . . " she said.

The view out across paddocks to the ever-changing hue of the Ruahine Ranges was special.

"You can't buy views like this. It changes all the time," Jad said.

Dannevirke Garden Walk:
• Saturday, October 28, 10am to 4pm.
• Entry, $3 per garden.
• Open gardens are 164 Umutaoroa Rd, 221 Umutaoroa Rd, 116 Adelaide Rd, 8 Guinane St and 6 Tennyson St. Look for the orange balloons.