Country: A gardener's delight

By CEDRIC GRAY

Visitors to Allan and Nancy Phillips' home at 151 Taupaki Rd, West Auckland, would be well advised to take a gardening encyclopedia with them to identify the trees and shrubs in the glorious gardens.

There are several varieties of pittosporums, flowering cherries, magnolias and frangipanis, and a range of evergreen and deciduous specimen trees for ever-changing colour.

They share the beautifully manicured 1.21 ha property with a variety of natives, including twin kauri trees, which stand like toy soldiers guarding the entrance foyer.

The trees add lustre to the park-like setting, through which the lawns and gardens flow from the slightly elevated site to a young citrus orchard and nearby apple, plum, peach, guava and feijoa trees. The vegetable garden is tucked away in a corner of the section.

A lovely feature of the gardens is an ornamental pond and rockery, which occupies a central position below the stunning three-bedroom, 12-year-old home.

There are two large paddocks, which are suited to light grazing and sheltered on the southern and western boundaries by a belt of mature cryptomeria trees. Specimen and fruit trees have been planted during the last few years to extend the park-like theme.

Three large storage tanks and water from a registered bore provide ample water for garden irrigation and household use.

The 290 sq m house cleverly combines the best of indoor/outdoor living, with several rooms enjoying direct access to spacious courtyards on two sides.

From the impressive entrance foyer, visitors turn left to the elevated formal lounge and right to the accommodation wing with two bedrooms and a central bathroom.

The master bedroom, with an attractive en suite, is reached through the main living room that is served by a modern kitchen.

A comfortable two-bedroom cottage with splendid rural views shares the property and enjoys its own road access. There is also a large well-constructed barn, which is suitable for a cottage industry or vehicle storage.

The attached two-car garaging, housing the laundry and the third bathroom, could easily be converted into additional self-contained accommodation.

The property is for sale by tender through Bayleys, West Harbour. Tenders close on March 6. Phone Margaret Curnow on 416 7788 for further details.