The Giants House sculpture mosaic garden is colourful, exuberant, interactive, romantic, fun and full of surprises. It is set on a sheltered north-facing sunny hillside in Akaroa, one-and-a-half hours' drive from Christchurch.
The garden surrounds the large historic house (circa 1880) built by the first BNZ bank manager.
There are flat areas around the house, and terraced gardens gently wind up the hillside.
It is a unique creation that contrasts historic with contemporary art and balances gardens with sculptures.
Josie Martin is a painter and sculptor who trained in horticulture and travels frequently. She combines her two passions at her property, intertwining them in her garden.
Open areas flow into little pathways, leading to a series of intimate garden rooms with vistas through the garden to the valley and sea. Roses, lavender, mixed borders, mass plantings, vegetables, fruit, succulents, box hedges, annuals and perennials all have their place and flourish in the microclimate, surrounded by a green belt of trees.
Music plays from the sculpted mosaic grand piano, accompanied by the sound of water from fountains.
There is space to pause and enjoy the garden before moving on to the next creation.
Josie's property was the Supreme Award winner of the Castle of the Year 2006 competition on the TV2 show My House My Castle, and has featured in numerous magazines, and on other TV shows in New Zealand and internationally. Most recently it was seen on House and Garden in the United Kingdom, and on Extreme Homes of the World in the US.
Open times: Daily 2-4pm until December 24, then noon-4pm from December 26 until end of March.
More information: Ph (03) 304 7501, see www.linton.co.nz or email josiemartin@paradise.net.nz
Garden Guru: Decorative landscape
Music from a planted, mosaic piano drifts through Josie Martin's garden. Photo / Supplied
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