Broadfields New Zealand Landscape Garden

Broadfields New Zealand Landscape Garden was designed in 1992 by Christchurch’s well-known landscape architect, Robert Watson. The concept comprises 20 different gardens all planted in natives or New Zealand raised varieties of exotics. The design is semi-formal bordered with 1.5 kilometres of green totara hedges, ponds both formal and informal such as the camellias pond, lawn with formal planting of rimu, and Oamaru stone seating. Previously a horse paddock, Grumpy’s was planted in poplars and tree lucerne for shelter from the cold easterlies in spring and the nor’wester in summer. Within this shelter podocarps, a beech forest, a young kauri forest, and wetland, lowland forest are developing.

A sizeable shadehouse is home to New Zealand ferns and orchids and there is also a large formal grass garden, a rose garden, a New Zealand border and a long canal. In spring the camellia garden features 400 varieties grouped in flower styles, and then the colour-coordinated rhododendron garden with its 400 varieties takes over, along with the deciduous azaleas, magnolias, cherries, irises, peonies and primulas. In summer the lilies and fuchsias are joined by perennials of New Zealand-raised varieties of dianthus, lavenders and others. The foliage of the cherries, magnolias and maples is an autumn feature followed by the hellebores in winter. Further gardens have now been planted including moss, bonsai and alpine gardens.

A variety of photo opportunities await visitors with a mobile phone, camera, or even professional camera, because the colours in this landscape garden are captivating.

Directions:

From Christchurch City, take SH1 south to hornby Mall. Turn left into Shands Rd. Travel 6km & turn right into Selwyn Rd. Travel 2km to garden on right. Or continue on SH 1, then turn left into Waterholes Rd Veer right, travel 6km & turn left into Selwyn Rd. Broadfields New Zealand Landscape Garden in 1st on the left.