Puketarata Garden

We arrive at Puketarata Garden feeling a little frazzled. Coming through the gate into the parking paddock we manage to clip the gatepost. I say “we” but having advised Derek that there was plenty of room on my side, the side that we hit, I must take this one on the chin. Anyway, nothing like a beautiful garden to reduce the stress levels and Puketarata is certainly that.

Ken Horner, who owns Puketarata along with his wife Jennifer, greets us warmly. The first thing that strikes us is the pristine lawn, including an immaculate tennis court rivalling Wimbledon. Ken admits to assistance from the local golf course greenkeeper in achieving this sublime green carpet. However, the garden itself is primarily Jennifer’s work. And what a great job she has done. It is glorious.

This story begins in 1978 when the Horners purchased 20 acres of bare hillside just out of Hawera. 5 years later the main lawn and gardens were established, the grass tennis court and haha were added 7 years after that and since then various other features have further extended the garden. In 2008, the garden was independently assessed by the NZ Gardens Trust as a Garden of National Significance. It is not hard to see why.

Jennifer has skilfully blended perennials with natives, azaleas, roses, maples rhododendrons and other shrubs. As you walk around the garden, each area has its own theme, but it blends harmoniously. It also makes the most of the extensive valley views, including Mt Taranaki, which during this visit has been shrouded in cloud.

There is a clipped box parterre, populated by colourful Iceland poppies. Roses soften the tennis court fences. Even the business end of the garden, the vege patch and fruit tree orchard is charming. There is a berry house and next door, some very handsome red shaver chickens on watch. Artworks by Jeff Thompson feature- a corrugated iron cow quietly grazed in the parking paddock and one of Jeff’s gates leads into the service area.

Outside of the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular, Puketarata Garden, can be viewed by appointment. We thoroughly recommend it.

For more information http://www.puketaratagarden.co.nz