A white horse chesnut-lined driveway leads to the semi-formal gardens and ponds at Mincher, surrounding the Georgian-style house. Historically planted in market gardens, Mincher was established in December 1995 with a framework of mature trees already lining the waterway backed by native bush. Mincher is a family name and the name of the kennel where the Spooners breed Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Angela established the herbaceous borders, the formal parterre and the shrubbery with its topiarised acmenas, her favourite species including the roses, daylilies and three varieties of ilex or holly that form hedging as well as stand-alone specimens. They provide colourful berries in winter to complement the golden willows that edge the lawn. A silver birch copse is underplanted with bluebells and daffodils providing early spring colour together with the daffodils around the cottage garden and the ornamental cherries in the spring garden. The old orchard is pretty when the apple and plum blossom emerge. Summer at Mincher includes Angela's roses, daylilies, the extensive cottage garden and herb garden featuring a courgette-clad archway, perennial borders, shrubbery and hydrangea walk. Autumn in this all-season garden colours the foliage of the deciduous trees, especially the acers and apple trees. Angela avoids bright colour around the pond, to keep it restful, with low-key yellows and an occasional flash of mahogany, incontrast to the cottage garden which is full of red and purple, apricot and lime. The western border is planted in bluey pinks and clear yellows to catch the morning sun, whereas the setting sun drains the colour and so Angela plants those borders in muddy colours, oranges, rusts and chocolate. A stone bridge crosses the waterway and an area by the bridge is planted with kauri and other native trees. Visitors enjoy Strolling around the lower ponds, through lush N.Z plantings with a european influence. The paths lead via the bush walk, with its lookourts, and typically northland podocarp forest, to the gardeners cottage. Adjacent is Angela's latest piece de resisitance - a traditional walled kitchen garden planted mainly with old varities of vegetables and fruit, and with espaliered plants covering the brick walls. Mincher has now been endorsed as a Garden of National Significance by the NZ Gardens Trust. Virtual Tour 1
Virtual Tour 2
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