Matuku Farms GardenTakaka, Nelson
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| Owners: |
Betty and Robin Manson |
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Click images to enlarge
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| Address: |
542 East Takaka Road, R D 1, Takaka, Nelson |
| Phone: |
+ 64-3-525 9359 |
| Fax: |
+ 64-3-525 9390 |
| Email: |
bet-rob@paradise.net.nz |
| Open: |
September to March, 9am to 5.30pm |
| Groups: |
$2.50 per person |
| Fee: |
$3 per person, children free |
| Size: |
Medium - 0.8ha (2 acres) |
| Terrain: |
Flat |
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East of the Takaka Valley, in Golden Bay, is Matuku Farms Garden with views to the Pikikaruna Range. Developed since the 1970s, the garden encroached on horse and calf paddocks, until it is almost covers one hectare of flat terrain. The predominant species at Matuku, are the camellias and rhododendrons in spring, followed by the perennials and roses in summer, including heritage, David Austin and modern varieties of roses. Betty's favourite species are the 50 different clematis such as 'Gravetye Beauty' a deep red specimen. The garden is well known for its foliage form and colour schemes with its two extensive herbacious borders, one dark coloured and the other light against the Abel Tasman National Park backdrop. Architectural features include the gazebo, pavilion with cedar shingle roof, and the wattle and daub cottage. Betty serves teas for groups in the cottage which is a focal point of the garden. Nearby, a waterfall tumbles over large limestone rocks into a waterlily fish pond, edged with hostas, irises, daylilies and rodgersias. Guests enjoy walking through a native bush area developed since 1990, featuring native beech, matai, rimu and kahikatea. These are complemented by exotics such as Betty's acer collection, prunuses, davidia and silver birch grove underplanted by hydrangeas. Matuku won the Nelson Garden of the Century in 2000. |
Directions:
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Travel to Nelson. Take SH 60 to Golden Bay and Takaka. Turn towards East Takaka at the hospital Corner. 3km south of Takaka turn down East Takaka Rd, Matuku Farm Garden is on your right at Number 542. |
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