The Wharepuke Garden is a New Zealand “Garden of National Significance” NZGT covering 5 acres.
It began in 1993 when Robin Booth started a nursery at Wharepuke and began the subtropical plantings. Nursery people like to push the boundaries as to what can grow and Wharepuke now has many rare and unusual plant specimens.
Wharepuke is a plantsman’s garden; an eclectic collection of trees and plants that grow naturally in the subtropical conditions. There are also group plantings of bromeliads, many different orchids growing on and under the trees and a huge variety of maturing trees from many different parts of the world. The collection of edible fruiting trees is of considerable interest.
There is a 1km walkway through the plantings and whatever the time of the year you visit there is generally something in flower, fruiting or showing wonderful foliage.
The Wharepuke Art/Sculpture Park is a changing exhibition of approximately 40 sculptures by NZ and International artists placed throughout the garden trail. These might highlight the garden or challenge the viewer.
The gardens and sculpture trail are open to the public 7 days from 10am-5pm or by appointment. $10 adult, $9 senior, $5 child, under 5yrs free. Contact us for groups. Garden tours by Robin are sometimes available by appointment (extra charge)