Botanical Garden of Auckland, New Zealand
The garden has a total land of 64hectars, located in Manurewa, South Auckland, New Zealand. From Auckland city, you can take a train or go by taxi. It is owned by Auckland City Council. They purchased the land in 1968, started the developments in 1973 and officially opened to the public in 1982. It has more than 10,000 types of plants. The mission of the garden is for the plants is beyond just exhibition: research, education, cultivation, and reintroduction back into the wild or commercial horticulture. It is also for the conservation of plants, native plants, and a collection of plants from around the globe.
Compared to the Botanical Garden of Wellington, ABG is way much bigger. However, during my visit in 2015 - it was not Spring so I haven't seen much of colorful trees at all. However, I really loved this place.
Compartments in the garden: numerable gardens, a visitor center, alibrary, and a Ellerslie flower show (moved to Christchurch to 2008)
Show/exhibition:
- Edible and Herb Garden: is one of the oldest plantings, established in 1979, with an array of herbs conveying their uses, value and historical significance. It shows a a series of themed gardens which include various sections including. I love this section most. It does not only show plants from NZ, but from around the globe. Many edible plants from Asian seen here.
- The Walled Garden,
- Culinary Courtyard,
- Kiwi Backyard, and
- Orchard.
- Rose Garden: a collection of varieties and mix of roses
- Historic Rose Garden (species and heritage roses),
- Reflective Rose Garden (formal display of floribunda, hybrid tea, shrub and climbing roses),
- New Zealand Rose Garden (a mix of garden roses with native plants) and
- Pergola Garden (modern and heritage roses with colourful perennials and annuals).
- Palm Garden: one of NZ's largest outdoor collection of different palms supported by sub-tropical plantings.
- South African Garden: a wide range of southern Africa plants, particularly Cape flora. Significant plantings include Proteaceae, Asteraceae, restios and aloes.
- Rock Garden: two sections with one an eclectic mix of uncommon plants with an emphasis on small perennials, shrubs, bulbs and succulents and another featuring cacti & succulents from the Americas.
Research & education
- Trial Garden: groups of plants are selected for evaluation and research purposes.
- The Potter Children's Garden: arranged in 3 parts,
- 1st stage: focuses on the relationship between a native bird (kereru) and a native tree (puriri) with additional native planting themes of coastal, forest, wetland and a maze.
- 2nd part has 4 distinct habitats (bog, meadow, jungle and desert) showing plant adaptations.
- 3rd area contains a classroom and sustainable edible garden.
- Gondwana Arboretum: groupings of trees planted from the early 2000s onwards which showcase predominantly coniferous trees from Southern Hemisphere countries which once were part of Gondwana.
- Perennial Garden: bold, creative, colourful combinations of colour, texture and form of perennial plants that are known to do well in Auckland.
- Camellia Garden: a collection of species and cultivars with well-known Camellia species of japonica, sasanquas and reticulatas, supported with woody and herbaceous plantings of East Asian origin.
- Magnolia Garden: a diverse array of species and cultivars, including a collection of NZ-bred varieties.
- Urban Trees: shows a selection of small trees that can be successfully planted in private gardens.
I think the garden ideas is very good for any city/country to showcase their native plants. It is very good for family, kids and day out. It gives you so much knowledge and great feeling when you are stressed from life.
Entry information:
- Free entry, I think you need the whole day to visit everything in detailed.
- Open everyday:
- Opening hours: garden: 8:00am - 8:00pm, visitor center: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Website of the garden is here
- Google map is here.
Comments
Post a Comment