Woodend Gardens

Woodend is a well-known setting for weddings and charity tea parties. A woodland backdrop of 40-metre high eucalypts, planted around 1930, comes into view from the curving driveway lined with massed blue agapanthus. These are preceded in spring by thousands of bulbs beneath many specimen trees such as the flowering chestnuts, dogwoods, magnolias and the soft pink crab apple Malus ioensis "Plena", along with gleditsias and Indian bean trees. A white cherry blossom avenue of Prunus subhirtella "Autumnalis" creates an aisle leading to the focal point of the fountain. Further spring features include many camellias, wisteria-clad pergolas, clematis and underplantings of hostas. The rose display begins with the lovely red "Dublin Bay" pergola and is complemented by penstemons, heucheras, and hydrangeas in summer. As autumn approaches the foliage colours up and then the hellebores flower.

Originally planted in 1993 on a bare 2.5-hectare paddock, Woodend has grown into one of NZ's "Gardens of Significance." The new owners, Sue and Graeme, have introduced native and textural plantings that add to the autumnal display. They have opened up a vista to the Richmond Ranges, the blue hills echoed in plantings of grasses, hebes and euphorbias. Other garden features include the star-shaped raised potager with its companion planting, the topiary, box hedging, and gazebos from where the garden can be admired.  

Directions:

From Picton, take SH 1 south towards Blenheim. At Grovetown, continue 2km & take 2nd turning on right into Rowley Cres. Travel to end, past private sign on left to Woodend Gardens. From Blenheim, take SH 1 north over Opawa River bridge. Take next turn left into Rowley Cres, then as above to Woodend.