Flaxmere Garden

Over 50 years ago on a North Canterbury sheep farm, the garden at Flaxmere was established, boldly designed to frame breath taking mountain vistas, and create sense of tranquility with a series of ponds.

Situated near the Southern Alps, Flaxmere has developed into a stunning example of a garden that evolves with the seasons, splendid throughout the year.

This is a large country garden based on the principles of strong design, is completely in tune with the terraced riverbed country the garden is part of. Flaxmere's vistas have been described as art forms.

Immense use of water creating a series of five ponds, gives a sense of enormous peace, and ensures wonderful bird life. Heavy old bridge timbers have been used and stone walls have been built over the years which add to the country style. This is a garden that has most things, formal, informal, extensive area of New Zealand native plants, woodlands, roses, rhododendrons and water.

Flaxmere has been made a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust, which is affiliated to the Royal Institute of Horticulture.

Visitors from around the world have been welcomed for many years.

Open by appointment only. Bookings are essential.