Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 16-Botanic garden, Christchurch-4/26/2024

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnization of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The gardens sprawl over an area of 50 acres and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park. We arrived in the fall so long gone are the vibrants flowers but we are welcomed with a warm palette of reds, oranges, and gold as the leaves are changing.

Map of the Botanic Gardens.  It is open every day and admission is free.

We are standing at the entrance of the Botanic Gardens, one of the most beloved and tranquil places in the city.

The ornate iron carriage gates opposite Hereford Street are the oldest in the Gardens.  Gifted by the organizers of the 1882 Industrial Exhibition held in South Hagley Park.

 Beyond the gates is the historic Curator’s House located just inside the main entrance to the gardens, near Rolleston Avenue and Hereford Street, creating a dramatic and picturesque welcome.

 In the center of the green lawn stands a statue of William Sefton Moorhouse (1825–1881), an influential figure in 19th‑century New Zealand.

Like other provincial superintendents, Moorhouse’s bronze likeness was placed in a significant civic space in the Botanic Gardens opposite Hereford Street as a lasting symbol of his role in shaping Christchurch’s infrastructure landscape.

The Curator's house is a large, elegant building that dates back to 1920 and was originally the official residence for the curator of the Botanic Gardens. It reflects a Tudor Revival style, with steeply pitched roof sections, leadlight windows, and exposed timber framing, giving it a stately, almost storybook appearance. Today, it operates as a Spanish-style restaurant known for its tapas, garden dining, and romantic ambiance.

In front of the Curator's house is a circular ornamental fountain set in the middle of a neatly kept lawn.

This cast-iron Victorian-style fountain is simple but elegant, with a raised basin, sculptural base, and flowing water that adds a sense of calm and movement to the formal garden layout.

This giant redwood was planted as part of the Gardens’ original Victorian design, meant to showcase rare and exotic species from around the world.  Redwood trees are very tall with a massive, reddish trunk and soft, bluish-green needles, They are native to California, it’s one of the largest tree species on Earth. Redwood trees were commonly planted in 19th-century botanic gardens as specimens of global botanical interest.

As we followed the pathway lined with huge trees with golden leaves, you’re most likely walking among some of the Garden’s deciduous giants, which put on a spectacular autumn display.

Deciduous trees shed their leaves in fall to get ready for winter. Shedding leaves allows them to conserve energy during shorter days with less sunlight. This also reduces strain on the branches, allowing the wind to blow through them with little resistance and making them lighter in weight, even if snow piles up.

Walkway inside the garden

Redwood tree in the Botanic gardens are part of the Heritage tree collection, some of these conifers date back to the 1800s. Planted to represent the scientific and colonial ambitions of the time, bringing trees from North America, Asia, and Europe into a curated space. They create a dramatic vertical contrast to the flowering beds and lawns below.

 Indian shot, a striking and exotic-looking plant that adds a bold splash of color to the Botanic Gardens, even in the fall.

 Indian shot is often planted in ornamental beds near pathways, especially where the Gardens display tropical or subtropical species. Even in autumn, their bold flowers and architectural foliage stand out among the gold and bronze of the season.

Flowers are still blooming in the fall but they are no longer at their peak.

In the center is Ginkgo Biloba tree Distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn pure, vibrant gold in late autumn. These ancient trees stand upright and are really beautiful.

We spotted a cluster of Rhododendron, one of the signature plant in the Botanic Gardens.

Mealy cup sage really holds its own, even in autumn. Its tall spires of vibrant blue or purple flowers continue blooming late into the season, adding a vivid contrast to the gold and browns of fall.

This is the inner pathway where nature weaves a quiet, painterly scene in the heart of autumn.

Majestic Oak trees, some of them are over a century old.

The Oak Trees are quite tall and big.

The garden is really beautiful in the fall with the golden, amber, and red leaves.

This area is filled with many different type of Maple trees.

The Maples trees are towering over the Hydrangeas bushes are creating together a balance of vivid color and gentle calm.

Lush hydrangea bushes hug the edge of the trail. Though past their summer peak, the blooms still hold their shape in faded pink, and red, their colors now gently muted by the season.

Huge Cypress tree that likely came to the Botanic Gardens in a seed shipment from San Francisco way back in the 1870s and have adapted well to Christchurch’s climate and now form part of the heritage tree collection.

We are now headed to the first public rose garden to be developed in New Zealand in 1909, the garden lies in the center of the Botanical Gardens adjacent the conservatory.
Formal in design, the garden features over 250 varieties of roses.

The Rose garden is home to a stunning collection of heritage roses, showcasing a spectrum of colors, shapes, and fragrances.

These white roses are called Paul's Himalayan Musk Rambler

As you we wander along the carefully curated pathways, we are surrounded by the beauty of meticulously maintained flowerbeds, each telling a story of botanical artistry. The garden serves as a sanctuary where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of city life, offering a serene environment perfect for relaxation, reflection, or a leisurely stroll.

Even in the fall the roses are still blooming.

Yellow and pink roses.

Beautiful pink roses.

Light pink roses.

We are now leaving the Botanic garden and headed to Hereford Street.

Beautiful rainbow as we are leaving the Botanical Gardens.

NEXT... Dining at Inati