We have compiled a selection of the countries garden festivals happening soon. Within these awesome events are free gardening workshops, plant sales, local gardening knowledge and private gardens opening to the public for the first time! 

Attending a gardening event in your region is a fantastic way to gain local expertise, with advice specific to your climate and gardening conditions. For example, we are very excited to visit the Wairarapa Garden Tour to see how gardeners handle the wind in our region.

Treat yourself to a beautiful day out in nature, wandering through gorgeous gardens and filling up on inspiration for your own space...
 

30th & 31st of October
The Kerikeri Garden Safari

The Kerikeri New World Rotary Garden Safari is celebrating their 34th year this year! A range of gorgeous gardens will be on display, with a focus on urban gardens. However, there are some gardens so large that you could spend hours just in the one!

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.
 

13th & 14th of November
Mangawhai Garden Ramble

Explore a unique and interesting array of private gardens, estates & boutique businesses in Magical Mangawhai and surrounds. Each year the selection of gardens varies in size, style and age, with several featuring special attractions such as ponds, water features, artwork and historic buildings.

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.
 

6th of November - Waikato
The Great Garden Tour

A day touring 12 fantastic gardens on the eastside of Hamilton, many open to the public for the first time ever!
From formal and manicured to minimal and low maintenance, in the city or sprawling countryside, The Great Garden Tour has something for every style and every budget.
Add a few local artists and a well-placed coffee stop, and this is an event not to be missed! PLUS: Massive spring plant sale bargains!

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.
 

21st of November
Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival

Visit beautiful and interesting gardens around Cambridge. There will also be a special Behind the Scenes Tour for a small extra cost.

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

12th - 14th of November
Rotorua Festival of Gardens


Explore the fascinating, unique selection of 35+ gardens in New Zealand's volcanic city and surrounding countryside. Celebrate the region's natural beauty, from vibrant flowers to bountiful native plant life. Let the festival inspire you. Featuring workshop by Lynda Hallinan, 'The Joy of Gardening.'

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

 

29th of October - 7th of November
Taranaki Garden Festival


One of, if not the biggest New Zealand gardening event of the year! A 10-day celebration packed with activities, glorious gardens, bountiful backyards and astonishing artists.

New visitors and long-time festival fans will be wowed by the variety on offer. Country, cottage, sub-tropical, sustainable, vegetable, native, formal… there is something for everyone in the programme. 

Gardeners walk you through their spaces themselves offering advice and answering any questions you have!

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

 

29th of October - 7th of November
Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival


The Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival runs at the same time as the Taranaki Garden Festival and was created to be a more affordable and down to earth alternative. Their slogan is 'Real Gardens, Real People.' Their mission is to leave you feeling inspired no matter your budget, space or capacity you have at home, to create something magical in your own back yard.

Reviews of this garden festival speak to how friendly the gardeners are, and their willingness to share all of their knowledge with attendees.

Entry to each garden is only $2 per person.

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

 

7th of November - Rangitikei
Up the Garden Path

A fabulous jaunt through 9 beautiful gardens in the Rangitikei. Beautiful market stalls, gourmet picnic lunches and an enjoyable day out with friends!

 

6th & 7th of November
Wairarapa Garden Tour


This two day, self-drive garden tour features some absolutely stunning and unique gardens in the Wairarapa. There are some old favourites and some new gardens that have never been open to the public before! 

Treat yourself to a coffee and lunch in Greytown or Martinborough in between gardens and you are guaranteed for a relaxing and beautiful weekend indeed!

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

 

3rd - 7th of November
Garden Marlborough

A truly world-class garden event. The event was dreamt up by gardeners for gardeners. Celebrating Marlborough's stunning landscape, it showcases the very best the region has to offer with a range of garden tours, workshops and social events.

Full and half day garden tours encompass everything from compact designer gardens in the heart of town to breath-taking country estates. Workshops provide the opportunity to brush up on skills and horticultural knowledge with experts from New Zealand and overseas.
The always popular Garden Party on the Saturday night is a chance to sip and mingle with speakers, guests and like-minded enthusiasts.
On Sunday is the Garden Fête, over 200 stalls offering the best from New Zealand and a chance to kick off Christmas shopping.

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

28th - 31st of October - Canterbury
Hurunui Garden Festival


Over the weekend you can visit private gardens, historic homes, and artists from Amberley to Gore Bay, and Waikari to Hanmer Springs, many within one hour’s drive of Christchurch and the airport.
The garden owners are ready to greet you and share their stories of how they’ve created their gardens! 

New Zealand’s celebrity gardening guru, the wonderful Lynda Hallinan, is attending the festival. She will be speaking at events that will educate, entertain, and inspire you.

Don't miss the free to attend Studio Home Gardening Sessions. Focused on knowledge beneficial to those starting out in gardening!

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

*Bonnie (co-owner of Beauty and the Wind) grew up in Canterbury and is super proud to be from the region! If you are around make sure you don't miss this event!

 

9th of October - Christchurch
Botanical Expo & Rare Plant Fair


Botanical EXPOutdoor and Rare Plant Fair. Get your hands on precious plants you can't find in the trade. 

Stroll round the glorious Broadfield Garden in an exciting original event brought to you by many plant enthusiast groups. A visually stunning spring alpine plant display, with pots and cut blooms, bunting and birdsong. Unique opportunity to access specialist plant sellers.

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

28th of November - Christchurch
Governors Bay House & Garden Tour


Come and be inspired by the gardens and homes of “The Bay”. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, stroll through native bush, and discover local history. All set in a backdrop of stunning vistas and abundant native birdlife. You’ll see why Governors Bay is known for its passionate gardeners and unique lifestyle.

Visit their website here for more information and to secure your ticket.

 

17th of October
Dunedin Rhododendron Day


There’s plenty of blooming good fun to be had this Rhododendron Day!
Plant Sale | 9am – 1pm
Grab a bargain, rain or shine. Plant stalls, food, coffee and entertainment. BYO recyclable bags or boxes. Brought to you by the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden.
Rhododendron Dell, upper garden carpark.
Rhododendron Dell Tour | 10am
Meet at the Azalea Garden entrance (weather permitting)

Visit their website here for more information.

 

Tour One: 17th - 24th November
Tour Two: 25th November - 2nd of December
The Travelling Masterclass


Feel like something a little extra?

Check out this travelling masterclass hosted by Michael McCoy.
The Travelling Masterclass is your opportunity to take your passion for gardens and landscapes to the next level. Visit gardens chosen for their exceptional planting and design qualities and spend time teasing apart their anatomy with like-minded people. 
Under the guidance of one of Australia’s foremost landscape designers, you will learn how to take the best elements of each and apply them to your garden and landscaping designs.

‘The Life-changing Design Tour’ takes in the best home garden designs of New Zealand's picturesque South Island.

Visit their website here for more information.

 

 

Photo credit:

All photograph credit belongs to the events displayed. Images were collected from the websites belonging to the events.