Author(s): Gordon Collier

Gardening

64 gardens are listed in this guide : 44 in the North Island and 20 in the South Island. The gardens featured have been visited by a team of NZ Gardens Trust assessors, working to a rigorous set of standards. Factors considered include hard landscaping and design, plant material and its use and association, maintenance, safety and ornamentation. The assessors also look for creativity and attention to detail, and whether the garden has that extra star quality. Judging gardens, like judging any art form, is a difficult task. There is a description and a single colour photo of each garden that has been selected, along with opening times.