Flaxmere Garden | Explore Nature's Artistry

Timeless and ever changing

Host: Penny Zino

Address: 128 Westenras Road, Hawarden

Contact: 027 210 0958

Eftpos available

flaxmeregarden.co.nz

It is 60 years since Flaxmere Garden began, and the garden is still evolving. It is interesting to see how our trees and plants are responding to the climate: the winds of last October have initiated major changes. Some areas have been opened up, and others have been greatly simplified! But after this traumatic beginning to the year, the unusually wet summer of 2025 has been a joy.

The 3-hectare garden features distinct areas, each with their own personality, yet flowing seamlessly around a series of five beautifully planted ponds.

The extensive native garden is maturing into an evocative and cool space, as is the whirlpool garden created after a heavy snowfall.

A gracefully arched bridge leads your eye to Mt Tekoa. This is a garden which celebrates its vistas. Stone walls and heavy bridge timbers add to the generous country style planting in the swimming pool area and rose garden.

The Naturalistic Garden was created after a workshop with Piet Oudolf in Holland, and features grasses and sweeping clumps of perennials. The now 2-year-old dry/gravel garden, which has had no summer watering, constantly amazes us all with its beauty, resilience & growth.

This is a garden which richly deserves its rating as a NZGT Garden of International Significance.

Events

Photographic exhibition: Flaxmere through the seasons with timeline. Books also available for sale.

Plant sale: we have a vast range of favourite plants available for sale.

Guided walks with Penny Zino Thurs Oct 29, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1.

All aspects of the garden will be covered.

Jemima Savage & Lou Boissard will explain the creation of the new dry/gravel garden 2 years on from planting. Friday Oct 30 10 am. See opposite for more.

Suggest everyone bring picnic lunches. Tea and coffee provided!

Facilities: