Gardens open for forest fundraiser

Garden lovers across Wairarapa and beyond are invited to tour a garden to restore a forest next month, with the return of the biennial Wairarapa Garden Tour.

Fourteen gardens from Greytown to the north and east of Masterton will be opened on the weekend of November 10 and 11, to raise funds for the Pukaha Mount Bruce Forest Restoration Programme - aimed at keeping native birds safe from predators.

The tour is self-drive and holders of the $40 tickets will receive a brochure with a map so they can choose the order of the gardens they visit.

Pukaha Mount Bruce executive officer and event organiser John Gilberthorpe said the tour was "a unique opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful gardens in the Wairarapa over two days".

Gardens featured are:

John Hodge's Cottage, near Morison's Bush, includes a rose garden, fruit trees and a potager.

Four Greytown gardens, including Wyett House and Briarwood, on properties which are both used for accommodation.

The established Daysh House garden, north of Carterton, around a beautiful historic house built in the mid-1860s.

Lancewood, near Masterton, bursts with colour and a range of interesting specimens.

Thurston Garden, also near Masterton, is a Rachel Callaghan-landscaped garden on an elevated 1.1 hectare section, with a well-proportioned mix of areas including fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

Tidsfordriv includes native and deciduous trees with a centrepiece of three wetland pond areas.

Eversham, near Rathkeale College, is backed by native bush and includes big specimen trees, more recently set into a formal structure including a large rose collection.

Dursley, northeast of Masterton, also has many mature trees and a range of plants to provide interest year-round.

Abbotsford Garden, at Taueru, surrounds a 155-year-old renovated homestead and combines inner borders with grand views and botanical surprises.

Elmdale, near Masterton, will be a sight to see with acres of peonies, grown for export, in bloom.

Assisi Garden, near Gladstone, is recognised as a Garden of National Significance and occupies a steep hillside with spectacular views. A large range of native species includes cabbage trees, tree lucerne, native grasses and flax, contrasted by an olive grove and fruit and nut trees.

Tickets for the Wairarapa Garden Tour can be purchased online at www.pukaha.org.nz.