Valeside Gardens

Head Gardener's Comment

Valeside has something of interest all year round. We have been collecting plants for 30 years plus and have something of interest for all tastes. This includes a Succulent collection, Natives with Sub Tropical's mixed thru to give colour. A Fern collection, a Woodland garden, an Orchard, Vegetable garden 50 Roses, Perennials Shrubs and much more.

Having been in the rock business for the past 7 years ( www.rockscape.co.nz )Valeside has in the region of 500 tons of local blue stone from quarries in the area. There are 2 x 5 ton rocks at the front entrance, many 5-8 ton rocks used to retain banks, 70sqm of crazy paving, along with a water feature and pond constructed from many tons of blue stone.

History

We purchased the property of 1.25 acres in 1993, and started from a bare paddock. The first job was to remove the many farm shelters that had been planted by previous owners.

We then had a concept plan done by a designer named Anna Archibald.

Our first trees went in after that, mostly NZ natives. In the first 13 years of development the garden has been a dumping ground for the local tree surgeons. So after 500 truck loads of mulch, we now have beautiful black peat.

Plants of Note

We have a ponga house built from Taranaki Browns which houses ferns and native bush orchards which are in flower in November / December.

There is a huge collection of plants to view including many rare natives. We had an Atlantic Weeping Cedar moved from another property and delivered to my front door. It weighed 2 tons and lay there for 10 days before we got the digger back to dig a hole big enough and plant it. I wrapped the roots in many old curtains and kept it watered in the mean time. It took many years to establish its self, but did survive.