For the 37th festival, visitors from here and afar can enjoy 45 gardens, including five new and five returning, and a rich programme of 32 events.
“We love to have new gardens joining our festival family to complement our regular festival gardens,” says Jessica Parker, Manager of the Festival, which runs from 1 to 10 November.
The newcomers are The Vicarage in New Plymouth, Ngā Pātiki at Ōakura, Beechwoods at Tariki, Stratford’s King Edward Park, and the Christiansen Garden at Hāwera.
The festival also welcomes back five favourites: The Himalayan Garden of Tranquility, Nikau Grove, Over the Rainbow, Saxton Sanctuary, and Oak Valley, all New Plymouth.
“It’s always exciting to see what new projects they have been working on,” says Jessica.
She says returning gardens often have a fresh twist, as do festival stalwarts, ensuring there’s always something new to discover, even for regular visitors.
“Visitors enjoy the wide variety of gardens we present because we have everything from sub-tropical to public parks, large country gardens to small urban properties, edible feasts to floral treats,” says Jessica.
The annual spring event is also about manaakitanga.
“What makes our festival so special are our gardeners who open their gates and welcome our visitors,” she says.
“Their knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for gardening are truly the heart of the festival.”
This year, the Festival Hub will be based at the Plymouth International Hotel, a central spot where visitors can buy tickets, plan their day, and enjoy Devonshire teas, bubbles, and canapés.
The Hub team will help visitors plan their garden journeys around Taranaki Maunga and make sure they know about the many events on offer.
New or one-off events include garden tours by train and bus, foraging workshops, and historical celebrations.
A popular outing will be Twilight Tours with Nice Hotel owner Terry Parkes, who is leading visits to two gardens, starting and ending with refreshments at the hotel, itself a special interest festival garden.
“It’ll be just gorgeous,” says Terry. “I’m sort of the entertainment officer. I’ll make sure that everybody’s comfortable, everybody meets each other, and I’ll tell a bit of a story of New Plymouth on the bus.”
Jessica says the Garden Festival Day Tripper is a trial run for those who prefer not to drive. It offers a coach tour to six festival gardens, including Beechwoods and The Commune on the Taranaki Sustainable Gardens Trail.
“We are trying it on for size – if it’s popular it will become a regular feature of the festival.”
NZ Gardener magazine editor Jo McCarroll will present two talks, including a celebration of the magazine’s 80th anniversary.
Foraging events feature Helen Lehndorf, author of A Forager’s Life, and a floristry workshop, where people will transform gathered flora into wearable art.
Other highlights include Japanese tea ceremonies, an audio-described tour for people with low vision, and a wellness power bowl demonstration.
“Most events are also held in our gorgeous gardens, and some are on in the evening. We’ve made sure there is something for everyone,” says Jessica.
For tickets to gardens and events, go to www.gardenfestnz.co.nz.