Previous Gardens - 2010

1. “Matiatia Grove”, 61 Church Bay Rd, Oneroa
John and Margaret Edwards

Planting with natives began in 1991 to provide shelter on our challenging, exposed and kikuyu covered hilltop site. This was followed closely by the olive grove that has expanded over the years to around 2,000 trees.

Once the house was completed in 1997, we worked with Sue McLean from McLean Landscapes to create a garden of mainly Mediterranean and native plants that flourish with both minimal maintenance and water. Admire the view from the garden, stroll to the orchard or wander down the hill to the main olive grove.

Since 1997 we have produced some of New Zealand’s finest extra virgin olive oil, recognized nationally and internationally for its quality. Although our olive mill is not located on site, our Bottling Room is and we are very happy to offer tastings.

2. “High Rising”, 18 Mako St, Oneroa
Neil Hefford and Charlotte Parkes

Four years ago our garden was a weedy hill backing onto the Atawhai Whenua Reserve. Today, make your way through the orchard to an Italian-style terraced garden with an abundance of roses and scented perennials bounded by lavender and bay hedges which we have created with invaluable help from Lindsay Hutton.

Enjoy views from Oneroa to Blackpool. Visit the enclosed vegetable and herb garden and say hello to the ‘Laydies’ – our delightful brown shaver chickens. Behind the house a sunny, tiled patio features a pizza oven designed and built by Neil

3. “Owhanake Bay Estate”, 68 Korora Rd, Oneroa
Mike Tayor and Christy Ralphs

Our vision is to develop an extensive edible estate garden. Over the past four years we have established a terraced vegetable garden, a berry orchard, herb, and flower picking gardens. The latest project is to create a sustainable orchard using 'food forest' principles. This means that everything the orchard needs is provided as part of the orchard, including fertilizer and mulch. It is quite experimental, especially in Waiheke's clay soil. We have a small vineyard, olives, and keep chickens, ducks, and bees. We garden organically and aspire to a permaculture ethic. Our garden is a work in progress with more plans for the future.
www.islandgardening.com

4. 179 Ocean View Rd, Oneroa
Rick Culmer and Judy Taylor

The house and garden, established in the mid 1970s were completely redesigned and rebuilt in 2007.

The front and back areas are linked by a walkway and a small courtyard. We have continued the theme of natives to complement the beautiful mature Puriri, and the Totara Trees. The north-facing lawn, decking and spa area boasts wide views over Oneroa Bay and beyond, and is where we enjoy Alfresco Dining. The low maintenance planting sets off our urban coastal position.

5. 23 Newton Rd, Oneroa Alan and Heather Smith

Following a major renovation of the home in 2007 we started with a clean slate (mud and clay) in Jan 2008. We retained a few fruit trees and little else. New to retirement and gardening on Waiheke Island the garden became Alan’s “retirement project”.

Enter David and his “strong men” from Exposed Terrain. Major support from the wider family and the encouragement of an appreciative wife (Heather) the new garden has taken on a life of its own. Natives and veges are the major focus. A high priority on being a “kid friendly spot” for the grandchildren has been important. We hope you will enjoy this work in progress.

6. “Moanavista”, 44 Queens Drive, Oneroa
Tim Kennedy and Matthew Moran

Take your time and enjoy a stroll through our garden … an established one, with a Mediteranean flavour – including abundant seaviews and terraced landscape. Many of the plants are drought tolerant, proven last summer as no watering was done - only a few casualties being the odd Grisilinea and Hebe. Hibiscus, roses, lavendars and citrus provide colour overseen by larger established fruit trees, Magnolia, Flame Tree and exotic Pepper Trees.

An extensive organic vegetable garden with Macrocarpa raised beds provide plenty of edible foods year around.

www.pacificgreen.co.nz  www.patchfromscratch.co.nz

7. 44 Tiri View Rd, Palm Beach
Herb and Bronnie Romaniuk

Mature palms lining the driveway to the house stand to attention and welcome you to this garden.

The path leading to the rear of the mud brick Morroccan-style home reveals a magnificent and ancient Pohutukawa providing a gnarled and tangled veil through which the amazing view to Palm Beach can be enjoyed.

Plants have been selected to complement the house… Rosemary, Clivia, succulents, natives and more.

8. “Jasa Vineyard”, 119 Wilma Rd, Surfdale
Jason and Poppy (Sarah) Judkins

We started developing our garden about 4 years ago. The style of the house, designed by my father, lent itself to formal garden plantings and hard landscaping. However I have always loved potagers and cottage gardens so a couple of years ago I convinced Jason to bring in the digger to terrace some raised vegetable beds with lots of space for flowers and fruit trees.

The garden now comprises a number of distinct “outdoor rooms”, a formal lawn leading into the vineyard, a walled swimming pool and outdoor entertaining area with a large outdoor fireplace, and a terraced potager, hen house and flower garden.

You are invited to enjoy a glass of award-winning wine while you admire the stunning exhibition of outdoor artwork presented by the Waiheke Community Art Gallery.

9. 31 Valley Rd, Rocky Bay
Pat Eddy and Glen Horspool

This half-acre garden, close to the sea, is the satisfying result of over a decade of hard work by owners Pat and Glen. Palms and large natives are underplanted with bromeliads, strelitzia, agaves and other subtropicals set around lawns and interesting pathways. In addition there are productive fruit trees and vegetable beds.

Bird-houses and feeders made by the owners along with other garden art are worth a look. There is plenty of choice when it comes to sit and enjoy the park-like surroundings.

10. 6 McMillan Rd, Rocky Bay
Brett and Suzanne Boyle

Recently transformed into a subtropical oasis this compact garden features palms, bromeliads and other subtropicals. Cleverly arranged outdoor seating allows full appreciation of attractive views of sea and bush. Also featured is a highly productive, easily managed vegetable plot. Take in the inspirational water features and garden art.

This garden is a fine example of what can be achieved with careful planning on a sloping site. Enjoy the short walk along the road between Gardens 9 and 10.

11. “Poderi Crisci” 205 Awaawaroa Bay Road, Awaawaroa
Antonio and Vivienne Crisci

Set in a beautiful natural amphitheatre at the end of a country lane, the unique aspect of the Italian-styled Poderi Crisci Gardens is their stunning design. With large raised rectangular beds surrounding geometrical grass centre pieces and adorned with Cypress trees, clipped box hedging and lavender, this herb and vegetable potager has been created by Antonio with Sue and Colin of McLean Landscapes, to endure.

The main purpose of the garden is to supply produce to the Poderi Crisci Restaurant .We understand the importance of providing quality food with quality wines and olive oils.The other reason for the garden is to share this process of growing food with our children and to provide fresh produce for our family and friends.

Here on Waiheke... "Poderi Crisci''... the place of the family, created with passion and a vision by Antonio Crisci and Sue & Colin of McLean Landscapes, Herne Bay.

12. “Cote Jardin”, 326,Orapiu Road, Onetangi
Benoit and Brigitte Houvenagel

Nestled amongst beautiful native bush, just below Mt Manganui, summit of Waiheke Island, our rural property sits on 6.5 ha alongside a small river in Te Matuku Valley. Our vision is to develop a lively place to nourish mind, body and soul through -
- Sustainability: solar power, water tanks, recycling materials, no electricity;
- Self sufficiency: 10 year old orchard, organic garden (companion-planting system) and small farming (chooks, ducks, emus, 2 cows, beehives);
- Hospitality: English and French spoken, homestay, bed and breakfast, camping;
- Creativity and Art: Workshops and exhibitions in further development.

You can wander through our natural playground, enjoy a game of petanque, or relax around the long table. Let yourself be inspired by the pieces in the Alt-Energy Sculpture project.

Farm products, refreshments and traditional French Crepes on sale… Bienvenue!

Waiheke High School,
11 Donald Bruce Rd, Surfdale
FREE ENTRY

We love the fact that you want to come and visit our school garden. We have an organic natural garden, which has been a work in progress starting with a bare patch of ground. The newly established garden was begun this year and is planned, worked and managed by 21 Year 11 students as part of a Horticulture NCEA Course. We each have our own growing bed and we are assessed on the results of our work. It has been a very challenging year with such a wet winter but we are all learning heaps and loving what we are creating. Our original clay beds have been prepared using seaweed, sea grass, organic alpaca poo, lawn clippings, and compost made on site. We believe in using our local natural resources and we grow everything organically from seed.