Gardening: A very garden day out

The Xanthe White-designed Mt Eden garden will open during the Auckland Garden Design Festival.

It seems everyone agrees - November is when gardens look their floral best. There is a smorgasbord of delicious events, tours and days out to choose from next month; the challenge is deciding what to attend. I've thrown together a range of experiences from week-long garden spectaculars to smaller local fundraisers, so there's bound to be something to provide inspiration.

I'm keen to again attend the popular Auckland Garden Design Fest with its new selection of gardens. A certain Mt Eden Rd property I've had my eye on as I drive past regularly will be open this year. The garden, designed by Xanthe White, has a beautiful floral display in late spring and summer.

Flowering annuals and perennials are at head-height above a stone wall. It has a clever connection to the street, benefiting passers by with an array of flowers offsetting a pretty heritage house. I've often wondered what the garden is like behind that enticing wall - and here's my chance.

Garden festivals let us visit hidden gems in our community thanks to justifiably proud home owners, and often for a good cause, too.

Big and beautiful

Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular, Oct 30-Nov 8

This event has spawned its own fringe festival. Combines food, fashion, architecture and sustainability alongside "richly assorted gardens" to visit. Speakers include Kath Irvine from Edible Backyard, Ecostore's Malcolm Rands and top chef Simon Gault. The event also includes a Chapman Taylor architecture tour.

Rotorua Festival of Gardens, Nov 13-15

Held every two years, this is a self-guided ramble held over three days. Visit 45 gardens, from small city plots to large rambling country properties. Many have plants, food and art available for sale. Proceeds in support of the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter.

A design focus

Auckland Garden Design Fest, Nov 14-15

Visit 20 gardens and get to meet their designers. From St Heliers to Pt Chevalier and the North Shore. A chance to see a one-off selection of professionally designed gardens. Proceeds benefit a number of charities for children, including the Garden to Table Trust.

Floral day out

Parnell Festival of Roses, Nov 15

Visit Parnell's rose gardens at their blooming best with a range of stalls and entertainment throughout the day. Free.

Highwic's Garden Festival, Nov 21-22

Twice daily tours of the heritage gardens with plant breeder Dr Keith Hammett. Avant-garde floral design on display at this beautiful Gothic-style mansion in Newmarket. Live classical music and carol singers. Christmas shopping and visits from Santa Claus.

Dio Day Out Gardens and Art, (Waikato) Nov 8

Fifteen gardens, from small city to large country gardens, including Waikato Diocesan's school gardens. Plants, art and produce stalls plus a prize raffle.

Wairarapa Garden Tour, Nov 7-8

Visit gardens such as 11ha "Fernside Garden" at Tauherenikau, to the historic garden at "Brancepeth Station". Includes two historic churches decorated for the event. All funds raised go towards protecting Pukaha Mt Bruce's wildlife. Pukaha needs to raise more than $150,000 every year to control predators in its 940ha forest.

On safari

Kerikeri New World Rotary Garden Safari, Oct 31-Nov 1

In its 28th year, this festival showcases 18 gardens ranging from "small and intimate to large and rambling" so there's something for everyone. Refreshments, sculpture and art. Proceeds go to support community and youth development.

Also in the north: Kaitaia Garden Safari, November 7-8, 15 gardens to visit.

Ph (09) 408 7093

Waiheke Island Garden Safari, Nov 7-8

A self-drive safari, visiting some of Waiheke's most interesting gardens. "Art in the Garden" features five art placement gardens on November 6 and ends with an auction at the Rorohara property in Pie Melon Bay. A fundraising plant sale at Rangihoua Estate is free. Volunteers grow most of the plants from seeds and cuttings from Waiheke gardens. The festival raises funds for the Jassy Dean Trust, supporting sick children and their families from Waiheke.

Heading south

Nelmac Garden Marlborough, November 5-8

A large festival with garden tours from compact to breathtaking country estates, plus a Queen Charlotte Sound tour. Keynote speaker Anna Pavord, author and former associate editor of Gardens Illustrated magazine, UK. New Zealand speaker line-up includes Rongoa Maori workshops with Robert McGowan and Donna Kerridge. Attend a garden party art auction to fundraise for new horticultural scholarships. Culminates with a free town square fete, which includes 200 stalls to check out.