We drove to Governor’s Bay, through the harbor town of Lyttleton, the actual epicenter of the 2010-2011 great earthquake which was generally known as the Christchurch quake. Just beyond the Governor’s Bay Hotel is Ohinetahi. Can’t figure out how to pronounce that? Neither could I, however, the resident, creator, architect and gardener Sir Miles Warren told me. Divide it into five syllables, O-hen-E-Ta-HE. Sir Miles is a well-known architect, he designed the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, D.C. to note just one of his projects.
I came away with an autographed copy of Ohinetahi, Garden, House and Art, to read for more research but in the short term, I will share with you just one part of this incredible place. The walled red garden. The day I visited, Nov 24, late spring on the south island of NZ it was full of color. The boxwood parterres were brilliant green, the red “boxwood” (Berberis thumbergii) the red poppies, red roses, red dianthus were all in in shades of red. Some white blooms were mixed in to add to the drama. The garden has a lookout tower which we were encouraged to climb to see the symmetry of the small garden. A red sculpture hung from the supporting beam, a red door accented the base. It is brilliant.
Sir Miles is a creative, generous gardener and a few years ago he established a trust to fund the garden and its care for the foreseeable future. He then gifted then entire estate to New Zealand. There are many wealthy individuals in this world and occasionally they make a beautiful garden out of passion and love of growing things. This is one of those gardens.
Sir Miles still lives in the house and gardens, I saw him early in our visit bringing in a load of clippings to the compost chipper. He had a trowel in his hand and he waved and smiled.
Ross, the resident builder and Mark the head gardener talked with us throughout our visit, explaining, guiding and sharing all kinds of wonderful stories about this special place. Mark relayed the story, saying that Sir Miles, was in the house at the garden when the great earthquake hit. He “heard a crash, a bit of a crash” and he picked up his torch, (flashlight) to survey the damage, on either side of the site where he picked up his torch, the third story of the house had fallen down onto the first floor.
From the lookout tower you get a fabulous view of the house, the pool, and the beginnings of the long perennial border. Then you simply must walkabout and explore every beautiful inch. The garden receives about 6-8 visitors a day. We were there first, three other couples came and went within that time. I didn’t want to leave ever. If you go to New Zealand, to Christchurch on the South Island, go see this garden.
Oh this green!! Thanks again for Traveling Gardener trips to take until our fingers can uncross and pick up our suitcases!
Good thoughts to you and Rich!
Amazing colors. I love to see the pattern of the garden from above.
It was such a beautiful place!
Thanks for these beautiful photos and the inspirational story about Sir Miles’ generosity.
Something to be grateful for, indeed!❤️
Thank you such very much for the pretty pictures. The whole country is beautiful…and very progressive in their social perspectives. I have visited NZ before (both the south and north islands) and would love to return.
Thank you for taking us to such beautiful faraway places with strange sounding names – it is always such a pleasure to go travelling with you.
Love this garden. Thanks Linda
Thank you so much for the emotional lift and for the inspiration!