The Giant’s House sculpture mosaic garden is colourful, exuberant, interactive, romantic, fun and full of surprises. It is set on a sheltered, north-facing, sunny hillside in a valley in Akaroa, 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch. The garden surrounds the large historic house owned by the first BNZ Bank Manager and built from totara and kauri. There are flat areas around the house and terraced gardens gently wind up the hillside. Contrasting historic with contemporary art and balancing gardens with sculptures, it is a unique creation.

Ōhinetahi consists of a number of formal rooms, of differing style and character, arranged about two axes running east-west and north-south in the arts and crafts style. The formal lawn beside the house, has curved macrocarpa hedges at one end, balanced by a pool and pool house.

Flaxmere is a North Canterbury high country garden sitting beneath the main rib of Southern Alps. This large 7 acre garden is boldly designed to make the most of alpine views with strong axes and cross axes focussing on the surrounding mountain and pastoral environment. Heavy old bridge timbers and stone walls reflect a country atmosphere, and a feeling of peace & romance abides here, amidst dramatically changing seasons.

Broadfield Garden is about 3.5 hectares established 20 years. It aims for excellence in design, planting and maintenance. Originality is a priority. Many natives are used formally and informally as are NZ raised varieties of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Camellias, Cherry Cornus, Maples, Peony Perennials, Daffodils, Lily, and Roses.

Over the last 33 years Doreen and Mike have created a 3 acre garden from a blank canvas. This expansive and tranquil garden is set on their small farm in the Amuri Basin.

Our relaxed country garden started thirty years ago. In the early days I had very little gardening experience and no vision for the site, but an interest in plants was quickly developing. Over the years, with much trial and error, a garden has emerged which we and our visitors do enjoy. Much thought has gone into the placement of colour, the short and long distance views, and the filtering of light which is created by judicious pruning.

Set on 1 hectare of land, you walk through the picket gate into the garden of Coldstream with its mature oaks, and silver birch creating height and breadth within the canopy, and large garden beds of established roses, camellias, and rhododendrons. The large pond, naturally filtered by Coldstream creek provides a number of magical pathways full of restful spots to take in the grandeur of the property.

Renowned for its beautiful trees, the Christchurch Botanic Garden, part of Hagley Park, dates back to the early 1860s when the first plantings were made. The garden is flat and easily explored with an information centre, tea kiosk and all facilities.

Casa Rossa has been developed over 20 years around a former shingle pit. The movie “Much Ado about Nothing” inspired the Italian house and garden design.

Opened in December 2001, the garden was established to preserve and honour the collection of old roses gathered over a lifetime by the celebrated rosarian Trevor Griffiths.

One of the oldest Botanic Gardens, Timaru will surprise you with the depth and excellence of its collections as diverse as Australian plants, conifers and rose species. A border containing the native plants of the Canterbury region is of special note. Endangered plants from around the world can be seen in part of the conservatory complex. A fern house is adjacent.

Many Deans families lived in the small cottage, until the Bennetts purchased the property in 1993. It was Mr Les Bennett a keen rhododendron grower who planted the countless rhodos in the garden. In 1999 Steve and Michelle Lassche purchased the property and set about making the different areas of the garden.

At the centre of Broadoak is a 2-acre formal wedding garden. Developed from a commercial peony paddock 6 years ago, the entire area is enclosed by a 3-metre-high wall of hedging between twenty brick pillars adorned by gargoyles giving the feel of a walled garden.

The Rusty Acre is home to Sculptor, Allan O'Loughlin and his partner Andrea. It is situated 25mins north of Christchurch in a settlement called Mandeville.