Rhododendron Festival 2026

Rhododendron Festival 2026

Christchurch | 29 October – 1 November 2026

"Celebrating Rhododendrons, Gardens, Friendship and Horticultural Excellence"

THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER

Welcome Evening

Russley Golf Club - 428 Memorial Avenue, Russley, Christchurch
6.00pm – 9.00pm

Cocktail Meet & Greet

Join fellow attendees for a relaxed evening of refreshments, conversation, and introductions. Enjoy a selection of delicious canapés and two complimentary drinks, with a cash bar available thereafter. This is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and begin the festival in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

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OFFICIAL OPENING

Guest Speaker - Juliet Nicholas

Award-winning garden photographer

Juliet will share practical tips for photographing flowers, gardens and landscapes, helping delegates capture memorable images throughout the festival. Juliet will also join us at Ōhinetahi Garden, providing hands-on photography guidance.

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FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER

Garden Discovery Tour

Mona Vale -Christchurch City Council

Mona Vale provides the perfect backdrop to commence the festival, one of Christchurch’s most iconic heritage gardens. Renowned for its beautiful roses, outstanding rhododendrons, mature specimen trees, and picturesque riverside setting, you will also have the opportunity to view the significant McLeod Rhododendron Collection.

Ōhinetahi Gardens – Ōhinetahi Garden Trust

An internationally significant garden of the late Sir Miles Warren overlooking Governors Bay, combining formal garden rooms, sculpture, woodland walks and rhododendron plantings.

Juliet will be accompanying us providing hands on photography guidance.

 

Orton Bradley Park – Orton Bradley Park Trust

Enjoy a guided exploration of the Canterbury Rhododendron Society’s significant collection of rhododendron hybrids and species, featuring plants from across New Zealand and framed by the breathtaking harbour landscape.

Demonstration:
Joe Cartman – Seed Collection and Germination Techniques

Lunch at Orton Bradley Park

 

Broadfield Garden – David Hobbs

A New Zealand Gardens Trust 6-Star Garden of International Significance, featuring 16 distinctive garden rooms, extensive native and woodland plantings, formal gardens, and the iconic reflective canal. The garden is also home to an outstanding collection of New Zealand rhododendron hybrids.

 

Festival Dinner

Russley Golf Club

International Guest Speaker

John Anderson VMM

Keeper of the Gardens, Windsor Great Park, England

"The History of Windsor Woodland Gardens – A Haven for Rhododendrons"

John, having previously worked at Kew Gardens, Mt Usher Garden, Ireland, Inverewe, Scotland and the famous Exbury Gardens in the South of England now oversees some of Britain's most celebrated garden collections and will share insights into the Royal Gardens and one of the world's great rhododendron landscapes.

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SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER

Canterbury Country Gardens

Salward - Sally and Warren Dobbs

Over the past 22 years, Sally and Warren have transformed their property into a productive and attractive garden centred on growing food. Thoughtfully planted trees, shrubs, and flowers create a welcoming environment that balances productivity, relaxation, and enjoyment for visitors.

The Back Paddock –David Jarman and Moira Farrell

This thoughtfully designed half-hectare garden combines formal structure with relaxed planting, inviting visitors to wander along meandering paths and enjoy a variety of garden spaces. Highlights include a buxus knot garden, an impressive English beech rondel, a fastigiate oak avenue, and a small vineyard of Pinot Noir vines that adds a unique character to the landscape

Knockdolian – Michelle and Steve Lassche

A beautiful mature country garden featuring woodland borders, rhododendrons, roses, native plantings and sustainable gardening practices.

Lunch at Knockdolian

 

Waianiwa Homestead – Mark Brown and Ian Jefferis

An elegant historic homestead garden blending heritage architecture, roses, camellias, rhododendrons and sweeping rural views.

Afternoon Tea & Pimms

Optional Evening Event

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

An escorted walk with Wolfgang Bopp, Director of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to view the rhododendron and rock garden followed by a special dinner experience with John Anderson and Wolfgang Bopp.

(Additional booking required.)

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SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Propagation cuttings and grafting

Stoneycrop Garden - Helen and Brian Coker

A beautifully designed contemporary garden featuring rhododendrons, deciduous azaleas, maples, camellias, roses and outstanding perennial displays.

Demonstration:
Brian Coker – Rhododendron Grafting and Propagating

Sally Jenkins and Graham Kerr

An informal sheltered country garden developed over several years, featuring rhododendrons and peonies with an extensive native border.

RhodoDirect Nursery & Display Gardens - Lisa and Stephen Williams

Enjoy lunch while exploring over 600 named rhododendrons in the display gardens and gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to a working specialist rhododendron nursery.

Festival Farewell Lunch

Buses will be leaving at 1.30pm to the airport and festival accommodation.

 

 

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