Heroic Gardening Festival keeps on growing
23rd-24th February 2013
This month marks the return of the Heroic Gardens festival. Now in its 17th year, the popular weekend gardening event continues to go from strength to strength. Associated with Ponsonby’s legendary Hero Festival and Parade, it was originally a fundraiser for the now closed Herne Bay House caring for people with HIV/AIDS.
In keeping with the spirit in which the festival was intended, College Hill’s Mercy Hospice Auckland is now its charity of choice.
“We are very grateful for the gay and lesbian community’s support,” says Sandy McGregor, Mercy’s Fundraising Leader, “More and more Aucklanders, gay or straight, are offering their gardens which is great! The need for our services to patients facing life-limiting illness as well as their families is increasing.”
24 private residences will open their gardens for the public to enjoy from 10AM to 6PM daily. Unique to the festival is the opportunity to talk to the garden owners themselves.
Festival organisers are hoping for even bigger things this year. With 14 festival favourites returning and 10 new gardens on show it is estimated that up to 2,000 people could attend. This would be four times the number of original attendees since when the festival began in 1997.
“The first festival raised $7,000 net for Herne Bay House. We are so grateful for the generosity of the Auckland community. This year we are hoping to raise at least $80,000 net for Mercy Hospice,” Sandy says, “It will make a huge difference to those we care for.”
From Glendowie in the east to Titirangi in the west, Aucklanders will be able to see some of the city’s most beautiful and unique gardens. Ponsonby residents needn’t despair. With roots firmly grounded in the area, three gardens, all within easy walking distance, will be on show.
William Somerville and Josie McNaught at 5 Russell Street return for their second festival. Their popular garden is memorable for its sophisticated response to the elegant 1860s home which it surrounds.
Fiona Fleming’s beautiful garden at 78 Shelley Beach Road, Herne Bay is open for the first time. Gloriously green and scented with topiaries and roses, this inner city retreat offers plenty of opportunities to delight the senses.
Don O’Connor and Craig Jensen at 262 Jervois Road, Herne Bay are no strangers to the festival. They have participated in the event three times already.
Heroic Gardens introduces Aucklanders to gardens that most never knew existed. From the roadside, Don and Craig’s walled sanctuary gives nothing away.
Those seeking protection from the hot summer sun will not be disappointed. Once inside, large trees and shade-loving plants beckon to enjoy their splendour. The back of the property is just as spectacular. A palm-fringed paradise with subtropical plants encircling a rock swimming pool looks just as inviting.
Don and Craig, two very keen gardeners, love their property. “Its large size has enabled us to indulge in our passion for growing plants from cooler climate plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias through to a great variety of subtropical plants,” Don says. A house plant nursery sales rep, Don assures those who think they’ve seen it all before are in for a surprise.
“Of course the garden has grown and matured. The palms are now over 20 years old,” Don says, “but we continue to add new plants to our collection as we experiment with what works well in Auckland conditions.”
Like the festival, their growing garden just keeps getting better.
Heroic Gardens tickets are $35 and are valid both days. Visit heroicgardens.org.nz for more details.
Ponsonby News (February 2103)