Christchurch, known as "The Garden City," boasts a wealth of gardens to visit. A delightful day may be spent viewing any number of these hidden attractions including mature English-style arboretums and gardens devoted exclusively to New Zealand native plants. There are more than 20 gardens to visit in and around Christchurch, including our favourites below:
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens
The world-class Botanic Gardens - founded in 1863 - form the focal point of Christchurch’s Hagley Park. 52 acres encompass many themed gardens including the Southern Hemisphere’s largest herbaceous border, a riverside arboretum, rhododendron and azalea groves, a collection of New Zealand roses, and a native garden among many other feature areas.
Ohinetahi
Ohinetahi is one of New Zealand’s best formal gardens. The late Sir Miles Warren created the garden with his sister Pauline Trengrove in the 1970’s and added to his collection of plants over the next 30 years. Highlights include many garden rooms dedicated to specific themes, a bog garden in a ravine crossed by its own swingbridge, a stunning herbaceous border and a collection of modern New Zealand art and statuary. Located in Governor’s Bay, the garden is set against the backdrop of Lyttelton Harbour in an extinct volcanic crater.
Frensham
Just a few kilometres away from Otahuna is Frensham. This English-style garden is the result of Margaret Long’s passion for plants, including more than 350 different kinds of roses (the garden is named for one such rose). Frensham's herbaceous borders are a study in colour theory while the small buxus garden is an exercise in measured perfection.
Fisherman's Bay
Jill and Richard Simpson will welcome you into their brilliant creation which explores colour and texture through combinations of native plants, perennials and grasses. The stunning backdrop of the vibrantly blue ocean provides a beautiful contrast to the organic forms of the plants and sculpture.