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A visit to Banks Peninsula and Akaroa is incomplete without viewing Heaton Rutland's twenty acres hillside garden. Open to the public daily from 9am-5pm, Heaton's dream garden offers spectacular harbour views and an environment of stunning beauty. The garden has evolved since its beginning in 1987 without a preconceived plan. Trees and plants have been placed "where they felt right" permitting seasonal colour drifts to flow beside the gently contoured paths over the ridges, along gullies, and into the basins. Massed rhododendrons under planted with drifts of ground cover, perennials and roses intermingle with all manner of trees and shrubs, so many rare and unusual.View a true eccentric's eclectic collection, even a kauri grove. The spring and autumn glory of cherries, dogwoods, maples, elms, birches and larches display their splendour against the hills and harbour vistas. Look ahead and behind you as you explore the paths enabling miniature scenes to be captured. Enjoy the whisper of the wind in the gum trees and the pines, the native and exotic bird song, the coo of the doves and the calls of the resident peacocks. All provide a symphonic accompaniment to the kaleidoscope of colour. |
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Refreshments available. Groups are welcome by prior arrangement. Phone (03) 304 7096 Admission: to gardens - $4 adults. Children free. Plant sales available from the nursery. |
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Site produced by Pamella & Brent Silby for DEF-LOGIC |