Auckland Garden DesignFest

The third Auckland Garden DesignFest will again showcase leading and award-winning garden designers.

Among the highlights in this year’s line-up are three completely different gardens by Robin Shafer – an extensive formal garden in response to a classical Georgian house in St Heliers, a resort-style garden and swimming pool complementing a magnificent new home overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, and an elegant garden designed in response to one of Herne Bay’s most beautiful corner villas.

Another top designer, Trudy Crerar, is also presenting three contrasting gardens – a Moorish garden designed to seduce the senses for a small courtyard in one of Auckland’s most historic streets, a sympathetic garden designed to unravel the best of the original features of a 1930’s deco house in Herne Bay, and unlike any of its neighbours, an established garden full of New Zealand native plants that manages to be thoroughly at home in Parnell.

Bryan McDonald, one of New Zealand’s most experienced designers,came up with an outdoor gallery theme with a structured planting style for a courtyard garden which mirrors and exaggerates the architectural lines of a 90’s townhouse in Remuera.

Trish Bartleet is back with a tropical Balinese-like garden and cleverly designed pool in response to the clients’ hopes of a garden that would complement some remaining palms behind their new architecturally-designed house.

Sue & Colin McLean have two contrasting gardens – an enticing contemporary courtyard in Takapuna on the North Shore and a beautifully sympathetic garden revealing the unspoilt magic of a waterfront property on the edge of Meola Reef in Pt Chevalier.

Multiple world-wide award winning designer Xanthe White has collaborated with the owner of a wonderful house in Mt Eden to create an elegant and playful garden, full of colour and folly, while retaining a generous connection with the neighbourhood.

Jo Hamilton has created a ‘naturalistic journey’ for the owners of a much-loved transitional villa in Herne Bay through the garden via two circular ‘mirror’ lawns balanced by fruitful planting to a new self-contained studio at the back.

Mark Read and Richard Neville of Natural Habitats have transformed a tricky, tight site in Remuera into a magical space with a resort-like atmosphere, where children love to feed the tame eels in the creek running through the back of the property.

Radio and televsion personality Tony Murrell has two contrasting gardens in Remuera – a formal, rose-filled haven much loved by the owners and an empathetic, inviting garden for a totally revamped old villa.

Plant designer, Barbara Garrett, has used all her experience and skill with a garden on the edge of Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill, to enhance the feeling that these iconic Auckland landscapes extend from the property itself.

Nigel Cameron has added his own sculptural features to a garden in Castor Bay on the North Shore to give it a unique personal link to the owners’ love of boats and the property’s magnificent sea view.

In Milford, again on the North shore, Karen Wealleans has worked with the owner over several years to develop an enticing and totally liveable outdoor garden courtyard space, full of an interesting mix of plants.

Murray Reid’s own garden in St Mary’s Bay is a perfect example of a response to downsizing as it preserves all the elements of a traditional backyard but in a smaller plot, with a seamless transition from the indoor to outdoor spaces.

Phillip Millar’s garden in Parnell is a ‘His and Hers’ garden demonstrating how this can be achieved in a small space, with his beloved tropical planting balanced by an abundance of flowers and vegetables in pots for her.

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I visited Auckland Garden DesignFest last November (2013) and came away pleasantly surprised. I have visited the city on and off since the early 90s and seen its garden culture change over the years. Presenting gardens by top Auckland designers, it provides a good cross-section of modern Auckland design, ranging from the very formal to the slightly quirky, much like Auckland’s overall art scene itself, a nice balance between style and fun.
Paul Urquhart - Auckland Garden DesignFest Nov 2013, Garden Drum

The importance accorded to outdoor lifestyles is something immediately apparent in New Zealand’s largest city. The social and personal value attached to gardens is becoming a rising stock. Homeowners are prepared to invest in them as important parts of their lives, rather than simply as assets. Also discernible is a growing trend towards design literacy among the public. (Events like the Auckland Garden DesignFest) have revealed the public appetite for fresh design ideas responding to a city boldly facing the challenges of the future.
Darryl Moore – Garden Design Journal – UK

All Garden Tickets valid for the whole weekend: $65*
EARLYBIRD TICKETS $55* before 01 October.
Group Tickets (10 or more): $55* (from iTICKET only).
Single Garden Tickets: $10*
*plus service fee

All Garden Tickets purchased at the garden gate will be $75
Single garden entry $10

Online ticket purchase is available through iTICKETbookings

Phone: +64 9 361 1000