Weekend of gardens

HEROIC GARDEN: Kelliher Estate on Puketutu Island is one of the gardens on display during the Heroic Gardens Festival this weekend.

Four Franklin gardens feature among the 32 on show in this weekend's Heroic Gardens Festival.

The Auckland regionwide two-day festival opens to the public the masterpieces of gay and lesbian gardeners. Now in its 14th year, the festival has raised nearly $500,000 for charitable causes.

This year Auckland’s eight hospices, including south Auckland and Franklin hospices, will again benefit from the festival which last year raised $30,000 for them.

David Brundell’s quirky, bold and contemporary garden Gardenza at Glenbrook Beach features along with John Tinkler and Lauchie McLean’s Aka Aka lifestyle property, Fergus Innes and Grant Iles’ gardens nestled in the Bombays and Paul Spence’s large-scale 2.8-hectare garden.

Three Manukau gardens are also showcasing at the festival.

Dale Harvey and John Newton’s garden in Mangere features 47 indoor and outdoor garden rooms and butterfly and bird conservatories.

Halmer Searle and Alan Bettesworth’s garden at 44 Scott Ave in Mangere Bridge includes sculpture and water features with a Balinese influence.

Graham Dawson and Alex Ross’ Kelliher Estate on Puketutu Island is open only on Sunday and includes a large garden and homestead.

The festival programme is published in last month’s NZ Gardener and is also available at Kings Plant Barns and Palmers Greenworld Centres and at local hospices.

Tickets cost $30 and are valid for both days. For more information see www.heroicgardens.co.nz.

Locally tickets can be bought at Petals ‘N’ Pots, Wrights Watergardens, Waiau Pa Plants & Gifts and St Margaret’s Cafe. Or visitors can pay $5 as they enter each property.

- © Fairfax NZ News