Rhodenza Gardens
‘Waihi Gorge’, Woodbury
Hamilton Family
Originally a native logging block then a dairy farm this 13hectare property has been in the family since early 1940’s. The bush has been allowed to regenerate and Michael’s mother (Noel Hamilton) developed a rhododendron garden as an extension to her Timaru garden. Stonewalls were built to keep the sheep out.
Condon Road, Woodbury
Gavin Coulter and Jo Marama
Situated 2km west of the Woodbury township on a deer farm this well-established rural garden set amongst Tōtara trees has some 150 rhododendrons from the drive way to the house setting. The tōtara trees are 150 years old and make a great backdrop for this garden.
‘The Isle’ Woodbury
Ross Harvey and Rosie Woods
The first few years after our arrival 17 years ago, were spent removing invasive undergrowth releasing magnolias, rhododendrons and other trees. Perennials have been planted close to the house for perfume and colour. The property was established in 1880 by Ross’s great grandparents, foresters. Fortunately, some of those trees still remain.
‘Woodbury Rhododendrons’
Bernie and Joy O’Keefe
When the 2008 NZRA conference visited our garden it was a’ young’ garden, the rhododendrons are now hugging one another. Plantings of special collections and many of Bernie’s hybrids have been planted since. Most of our rhododendrons are clearly labelled. Our nursery has been scaled right down but there will be some plants available for sale.
11 Ribbonwood Road, The Downs, Geraldine
Ian and Brenda McCulloch
A 3164m vacant section purchased in 2009 required considerable work before a garden could be planted. The soil was clay and drainage was a problem. Years were spent building up the soil with layers of pea-straw. Planting began in 2014 and the house build finished April 2018. The garden has continued to develop while we still work on the soil.
‘Narrambla’ Geraldine
Evan and Victoria Thatcher
We arrived 5 years ago to a garden with ivy so thick one lost the chainsaw in it. Cork Elm runners were removed and it was here some of my collection of big leafed rhododendrons from our farm were planted. Several eucryphia, big leafed magnolias, new rhododendrons, arisaemas in pots and trilliums mainly in the dell, add interest to the garden.
‘Capricorns’ Geraldine
Philip and Ros Burdon
An informal garden of about 3.5 hectares. Deciduous and evergreen trees with NZ natives form the background to an extensive woodland area. Four impressive sculptures, a stainless steel sphere in the large pond reflects the garden around it and three kinetic sculptures move in the wind. A personal garden which has benefitted from the input of two generations.
‘Stover' Geraldine
Dave and Min Mackenzie
In 1974 the ‘Stover’ garden consisted of four trees with narrow borders of annuals. Since then specialist trees, rhododendrons and companion shrubs have been planted. New areas have been opened up enabling the creek to be a feature. Formal brick gardens, stonewalls and several permanent structures add interest and an element of surprise.
‘The Willows’ Geraldine
Warren and Liz Scott
We moved here 9 years ago to a new house which sits on the site of old sheep yards. Prior to the move four years were spent spraying out the weeds. Over the next four winters as many plants as possible were moved from our previous, large farm garden. The stream was an important part of the design of the garden as was retaining the view to Mt Peel.
Branscombe Street, Timaru
Alan and Teresa Potter
Since purchasing the property in 1982 we built our home and removed several large trees. The original owner was a keen gardener. Today, two large rhododendrons and the red maple in the rock garden are the only remaining plants from the original garden. In our younger years a gift of six rhododendrons from our parents gave us a start to landscaping and gardening and our love of rhododendrons.
Morgans Road, Timaru
Mark and Kathryn Beynon
Two existing cherry trees and a rock wall were a good start to the garden, 14 years ago. Initially, natives were planted for privacy but these were gradually replaced with rhododendrons and camellias. Three water features and carefully selected pieces of driftwood add interest to the garden.
Morgans Road, Timaru
Clare Bryan
A weed covered, steep bank was the first challenge when moving here in 2013. A retaining wall and steps were built. My previous garden of 51 years in Waimate was ¾ acre so I knew what I wanted to grow here. Perfumed plants were planted near the house and flaxes planted at the bottom of the section. All my rhododendrons give me great pleasure every day
'Oakwood' Timaru
Ann Johnstone
The Homestead was built 1904-1906, Bought in 2004, my late husband and I set about opening up the garden around the house leaving two small paddocks for the few sheep brought from the farm. Since my husband's death 6 years ago I have incorporated one of these paddocks into the garden area, put in a wildlife pond and increased the planting. Large trees surround the property (mostly Oaks hence the property name "Oakwood"). These beautiful trees frame the garden and the view up to the mountains.
Speakers
Nicky Donkers was born in Geraldine and grew up on a farm on the outskirts of the town. After a period at university studying food and sport science and working away, she returned to Geraldine in 1995 and worked for Bakers Fruit Processors Ltd for 29 years. She is the former Corporate Commercial Director for Barkers. In 2019 Nicky started her own consulting business providing advice to several businesses and not for-profit organisations. She is very involved in several local organisations and supports a strong vision for Geraldine and the surrounding area.
Lisa Williams, along with her husband Stephen, lead RhodoDirect, a vibrant hub for rhododendron enthusiasts. Their journey began in February 2021 when they relocated Rhododirect to Christchurch. Lisa's upcoming talk promises to be a blend of personal experience, transitioning from a gardener's perspective to that of a commercial grower. She'll delve into the nuances of growing rhododendrons, sharing valuable tips on everything from pruning, identifying sun tolerant rhododendrons to pest and disease management. Lisa's passion shines through as she guides fellow gardeners on choosing the perfect rhododendrons for their suburban gardens.
Jeff Elliott: ‘My Journey, 45 Years of Rhodos’
Subject: Propagation hybridization tissue culture and heaps of interesting people
Jeff started working in a nursery called John Thompson in 1980 at 20 years old, he quickly became obsessed with rhododendrons. To Jeff, these appeared the most regal of all plants, they were difficult to propagate and a real challenge. As a runner Jeff often trained at the Ilam fields but had never really taken any notice of the gardens. Well, that all changed, Jeff quickly started a nursery, flogged some cuttings from Ilam, used cold frames and mist propagation. Next was hybridizing, tissue culture, colour laser photo copiers, overseas trips and lots and lots of help and interesting people. The nursery in Amberley covers 35 acres on a 130 acre block that he planned to plant out for larger tree sales, In 2021 Jeff moved away from the nursery and is developing his own garden on a 5 acre block, 3 km from the nursery.
Ken Jordan followed in the footsteps of his father Harold and his grandfather George Clark in one of the oldest family nurseries in New Zealand specializing in growing rhododendrons, camellias, with a strong interest in growing hostas, trilliums, tree peonies and of late, lilies. In 2016 he and his wife purchased Riverstone House in Geraldine and established a small rhododendron nursery. Now in semi-retirement Ken is back doing what he loves best, growing Rhododendrons. Ken has an extraordinarily strong interest in species rhododendrons because they are the ones with the most interesting foliage. He is also making a collection of nuttallii and lindleyi hybrids.