Star-studded properties on show
Taranaki’s garden stars shining brighter than ever.
Three entrants in this year’s Powerco Taranaki Garden Festival, which runs from tomorrow until November 4, have been rated higher than the year before by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. The latest rising stars are Nikau Grove in New Plymouth, Stanleigh Garden at Inglewood and Mary’s Place in Hawera. All have gone up a notch to become five-star Gardens of National Significance.
‘‘It came as a surprise that it had gone up to that next star. I was stunned and so proud,’’ says Donna Busby, heading into her
13th year opening Stanleigh Garden for the annual festival. ‘‘It’s up to a new standard in New Zealand – that was the part that was really exciting.’’
Donna and husband Wayne’s rural garden is also an awardwinning wedding venue featuring a lake, soothing seating areas, hybrid rhododendrons and fineday views of the mountain and sea. ‘‘We are always thinking ahead and trying new planting.’’
In Hawera, Mary Dickson was delighted to have gone up to five stars. ‘‘In my old age…’’ the
83-year-old says.
She has had gardens in the festival are for most of its 31 years.
Her home looks out on to the colourful, many-layered town garden, so she gets many views of it. ‘‘My beady eyes are looking out for faults. You are always critical of your own work.’’
While she thought this could be her last year in the festival, she already has a group coming from Oregon, US, in October next year, so will open. ‘‘At the moment, when my brain is still working on creating a garden of interest for people, I’m not going to give it away.’’
Elsie Lind was delighted to learn Nikau Grove had gained a star. ‘‘It’s quite on honour actually. I was surprised – I didn’t think we would.’’
The subtropical sanctuary down a Govett Ave driveway continues to be tweaked. ‘‘I just keep perfecting as I keep going along.’’
Elsie and husband Ian have created a South Pacific park-like garden starring hundreds of nikau palms, boardwalks, more native plants, water features and a weta hotel. They will have classic cars on show too.
Of the 40 gardens in the annual event, 14 have star ratings, says festival manager Tetsu Garnett.
This collection of gardeners, who have stepped forward to have their properties scrutinised by the national body, are courageous, she says. ‘‘With the assessment process, you can miss out on gaining a star by one point and so it really encourages these gardeners to push themselves, quite literally, to be able to reach that national standard.’’
To be part of the Taranaki festival, all the gardens are assessed.
‘‘We think all the gardens in the festival are stars,’’ she says. ‘‘We have got some real surprises in this year’s festival, including a cemetery.’’
A strong events programme is also part of the festival, including the Gardena Speaker Series.
At Te Kainga Marire, Taranaki’s only Garden of International Significance, Mark Dean will talk about gardening with native plants. This event, being held at 2pm on October 28, is sponsored by New Plymouth garden owners Valda Poletti and David Clarkson.
Other Gardens of National Significance are the Oakley Garden at Manaia, where Jenny Oakley will be holding hanging basket workshops and Puketarata, outside Hawera, where owner Ken Horner will be sharing the history of an ancient garden.
Public five-star gardens in the festival are Pukekura Park in New Plymouth and the Taranaki Regional Council-owned properties, Tupare, Pukeiti and Hollard Gardens.
There are five four-star gardens of significance – Cairnhill Garden at Stratford, King Edward Park in Hawera, Openlands and Sanderson Garden, both in Manaia. The fifth is New Plymouth’s Kowhai, which is in the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival.