|
|
|
Pusslil
honoured member
Matamata NZ
NGATEA WATER GARDENS7 Jan '07 1:01 pm
We found these gardens by accident, on our way to somewhere else just before Christmas! They were built in 1995 and we spent 2 hours wandering around... as always I never got enough photos!
It costs $7 to enter but wow.. it was so worth the money...there are a lot of humurous signs around the gardens, floating 'crocodile heads' in the lakes, thousands.. yep thousands of gold fish which come up to the pond edges looking for food... the whole place is a feast of colour, textures,foliage etc...we will be going back some time for sure!
DSCN1021.JPG
One of the ponds and 'castle'
111.02 KB / Viewed 93 Time(s)
DSCN1017.JPG
near the exit (or entry)
136.1 KB / Viewed 102 Time(s)
DSCN1018.JPG
most of the ponds have a fountain of some sort!
91.92 KB / Viewed 90 Time(s)
DSCN1016.JPG
This large enclosure had 20 tortises which came out of the water to be fed! So tame it was unbelievable!
106.39 KB / Viewed 94 Time(s)
DSCN1024.JPG
A view across another pond/lake
85.64 KB / Viewed 99 Time(s)
DSCN1025.JPG
This Band Rotunda was donated by the owner's Parents
109.63 KB / Viewed 96 Time(s)
DSCN1027.JPG
A white peacock.. very tame, which followed us all around the gardens!
108.76 KB / Viewed 98 Time(s)
Last edited by Pusslil on 7 Jan '07 1:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
 |
|
|
|
Pusslil
honoured member
Matamata NZ
More..7 Jan '07 1:14 pm
All the ducks (many I have never seen before) and the ducklings also followed us all around the gardens. One flock of ducklings came scooting across the lily pads to see us! I could not get near enough to get a photo of them...but when they caught up to us they were all over our feet! The mother ducks were not in the least concerned about our presence... talk about tame!
DSCN1040.JPG
It was impossible to get a longer shot of this manmade waterfall...it went under a bridge into the lake in front of the owner's home!
103.55 KB / Viewed 88 Time(s)
DSCN1041.JPG
The Owner's home...fenced for privacy, but in full view of the public...
67.15 KB / Viewed 90 Time(s)
DSCN1031.JPG
Many gardens...all on an 'English" theme...
116.51 KB / Viewed 101 Time(s)
DSCN1032.JPG
This was one of the ducks I did not recognise! cute eh?
101.69 KB / Viewed 91 Time(s)
DSCN1036.JPG
The lilies that the ducklings came over!
133.22 KB / Viewed 105 Time(s)
DSCN1038.JPG
we were a bit too early for the lillies to be out...heaps of buds showing though
145.38 KB / Viewed 98 Time(s)
DSCN1022.JPG
The rose "Trumpeter"
130.11 KB / Viewed 94 Time(s)
DSCN1042.JPG
One of the many lillies we saw..
191.32 KB / Viewed 104 Time(s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anna
Gone to seed
Hamilton, New Zealand
7 Jan '07 3:55 pm
Lovely! I'm adding it to my list of gardens to visit.
Their house is rather posh. *wonders what the inside looks like*
And I 'want' that rotunda! Would they miss it, do we think?
I seriously doubt I'll ever get one or even a more modest gazebo. If I'm lucky I'll have an arbour seat. No. 1 son is supposedly building one with a swing seat this year in woodwork (sixth form). Here's hoping he does a nice job of it.
No pressure.... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pusslil
honoured member
Matamata NZ
I forgot...7 Jan '07 6:27 pm
They sell plants there too... I got a wee dendrobium orchid for $2...their gift shop has some lovely stuff too at very reasonable prices... unlike some around!
You'll love it Anna!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liza
gardening consultant
Waterloo, Belgium
Stunning photos!!7 Jan '07 11:58 pm
Dear Pusslil! Thank you so very much for this exceptional parade of photos! I loved so much the little lovely duck and that Fairy-tale pond with the ..castle! How lucky you are, to having experienced such a divine place! The photos are all sublime, especially those of the blooms!! Trumpeter Rose is one of my favorite flaming reds in the garden, together with its cousin --its parent, actually -- Remembrance!! You can see them both here , if you wish... http://forums.mooseyscountrygarden.com/viewtopic.php?p=4495#4495
Last edited by Liza on 8 Jan '07 8:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
|
|
Pusslil
honoured member
Matamata NZ
8 Jan '07 6:56 am
Liza...what lovely reds and such a variety! Now I'm especially taken with Piccolo. Hubby has given me his list of what he wants ordered and now I have to see if we can get that here....some how the pics in Moosey's here are much better than any book!
Is Piccolo fragrant? Not that it matters to me as I love the shape and colour! Thanks for the link... I'll be going back to view all that you have!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liza
gardening consultant
Waterloo, Belgium
Lovely Piccolo.8 Jan '07 7:42 am
Yes! You are so right in your taste ! This charming little Floribunda with beautiful blooms of a Hybrid Tea Rose has a lot of merits !! It is a new-comer in the garden, just one year old! I planted four of this adorable Roses, when I created the previous Autumn the Heart Border in the middle of the back gardens (:you can have a look on this border in the posts of Our Garden and Plants topic,called "Divine Art on the Peonies (and a look of a garden)"-- page 2/3, " The Garden in September"- page 2, and "The Autumnal Garden" - page 1, )! It performed miracles! It is still in bloom! It has a lovely dark green, healthy, shining foliage , and lovely compact growth, excellent for a mixed border, 50-70cm tall, according to the spot and the year it is planted. I love so much this corally red colour of its large blooms , that fade only slightly under the sun light and don't mind the rain ! But it is...scentless - not so important within so many merits, no? Oh, yes! This little baby is a darling! I wish you to find as many as you wish, and make them as happy as the rest of your beautiful Roses!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
moosey
head gardener
11 Jan '07 6:18 am
Me too, Pumpkin. Sometimes far too busy planning amazing trips to see gardens thousands of miles away - not that that isn't fun. But I will definitely be up north NZ style very soon, and will make sure I visit. Even the very name sounds wonderful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eggy
webmaster & eldest son
Camberwell, London
Ngatea Water Gardens Website2 Feb '07 10:01 am
been meaning to reply to this for some time now. Great post and pics Pusslil.
The Ngatea Water Gardens have a website : http://www.ngateawatergardens.co.nz/
|
|
|
|
... oh to grow lilies like those!