It rained a little today but that didn’t dampen our spirits in the gardens. First we Saw Saxton Sanctuary, then Pukeiti and finally the Nikau Grove Garden. Some of us walked through Pukekura Park on the way back to the hotel.
SAXTON SANCTUARY
This garden has an interesting story. It was built by a schoolteacher over 40 years ago. About 6 years ago he retired and sold the house and garden to someone who wanted to subdivide the property. Luckily, they weren’t able to subdivide and sold it to the present owners. The present owners have owned it for 3 years and have maintained it on their own, learning as they went.
View from the patio:
This video, and photos following, follows the lawn through the garden showing the beautiful plant colors which give accents to the garden.
The pathways lead down to the water.This garden is 1 1/2 acres but seems much more.
Interesting plants:
Pink Deutzia
Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata) 
Luma apiculata
Vancouveria hexandra
Double File Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum tomentosum)
PUKEITI
The Regional Council of Taranaki built and maintains this huge garden.It is 40 acres in a 400 acre property. It has 5 full time gardeners.
This garden is known for its huge Rhododendron collection especially the giant Rhododendrons:
The Azaleas add to the show:
The tender Rhododendrons are grown under cover:
Water features in the garden:
The garden stretches back into the jungle:
Interesting Plants:
Rimu (Dacridium sp?)
Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) This is the tallest Fuchsia in the world.
Wedding Cake Tree (Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’)
Moss Pink (Phlox subulata)
Forget-Me-Not
Elatostema rugosa
Strawberry Geranium (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium nipponicum pictum)
NIKAU GROVE
The owners have lived here for 43 years and when they came there was nothing. After they cleaned up the place these New Zealand palms started sprouting and they started planting. The garden is 1 1/2 acres and has been maintained by the owners.
Long, steep driveway to this garden:
Water features:
Walk in the canyon:
INTERESTING PLANTS
Rhodohypoxis baurii
Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia versicolor?)
Golden Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’)
Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis)
The owner has another hobby in addition to gardening – collecting old American cars:
PUKEKURA PARK
