Bombay Hills: Garden paradise

A true garden haven awaits at this wonderful south Auckland property, where tropical resort-style living is the order of the day. By VICKI HOLDER.

The sign averts your eye momentarily as you cross the Bombay Hills, past the big service centre. But unless you pull off the motorway and head towards Brookfield Lodge, you have no inkling of the magic to be found in this peaceful garden haven.

Noreen and Ray Lee have lived here for 37 years, enjoying the fine country living as well as the benefit of being able to hop on the motorway at a moment's notice. Originally, the property was a farm where the Lees took care of other people's racehorses. Eventually, they raised their own - a few of them winners. As the couple grew older, they sold off most of the land and downsized to a 1.83ha lifestyle property with about 1.25ha of paddocks and 0.62ha of garden.

About 16 years ago, they moved the old homestead elsewhere and built a substantial, modern, new home on an elevated part of the farm. At one stage when the house was just completed, Noreen surveyed the bare dirt paddock and toyed with the idea of getting someone to plan a garden. "But then I thought 'don't be so feeble' and I did it myself."

She looked to landscaper Philip Dew for inspiration. "His theory was to plan the garden from inside the house. He said to go inside and decide where you want everything, to make your own view." And that's just what this very energetic 80-something did. Now she wakes every morning to a magnificent vista of her own creation.

"My idea of a garden is lovely green lawns and shade trees around the perimeter, because it makes for a very peaceful outlook," she says.

Although it is brimming with beautiful flowering plants, Maureen insists it's an easy-to-manage garden that she can look after herself. Abundant water from a bore and an irrigation system helps it keep looking good all year round. A Cyprus hedge in the distance creates shelter from the drying winds and helps to keep the hum of the motorway traffic down.

Sweeping into a generous parking bay to the rear, the driveway weaves its way through an arch of trees to an area behind the house, which is overflowing with rhododendrons, magnolias and cherry trees. When you step from the entry hall into the voluminous living area, the fresh green of the garden pulls you towards the ranchsliders. The view remains the prime focus as guests move back and forth between the dining area and the relaxing casual sitting area.

Big trees are planted far enough away from the edge of the house to ensure the interiors are light and sunny. Yet, about six variegated elms add a horizontal element in front that gives welcome shade in summer.

Each of the garden beds around the perimeter is colour coordinated with perennials - including delphiniums, salvias, Christmas lilies and vireyas - among the many roses that ring the changes throughout the seasons to the delight of visitors who come to appreciate the splendour of Brookfield Lodge. The garden features regularly in the Trinity Garden Festival and hosts small organised tour groups.

Noreen converted an awkward area at the end of the house into a tropical garden after holidaying in Bali. The kentia palms lapped up the warm sun and plentiful rain, so she continued with a dazzling array of subtropicals, including vireyas, assorted bromeliads and succulents. "If you're sitting down here, you can imagine you're really in the tropics," says Noreen. "It's relaxing, a garden to live in."

And the gracious home with big living areas makes entertaining easy, whether it's a small intimate gathering or a large crowd. Although it has two bedrooms, additional areas like the wide hallway and the large utility room off the double garage make it feel particularly spacious.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Brookfield Lodge, 2114 State Highway One.

FEATURES: Bombay Hills lifestyle property with paddocks and stables; garden features in Trinity Garden Festival and is a popular wedding venue; 16-year-old home with good indoor-outdoor flow from large living areas; separate formal and family areas; separate dining; fireplace in family sitting room; two bedrooms; master with en suite and dressing room; spa pool room; double garaging.

LAND AREA: 1.83ha.

PRICE INDICATOR: Around $965,000.

AGENTS: Margot Hooper and Gavin Crookes, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe. Ph 09 294 7478 bus; Margot 021 921 671 mob; Gavin 021 976 659 mob.