Gardening heroes
Pruners
of all kinds will open their garden patches to the public during the
Heroic Gardens Festival this month.
The festival is now in its 16th year and will feature more than 20 private gardens across Auckland.
It was established to raise funds for the Auckland City Mission Herne Bay House which provided care and respite for people with HIV/AIDS. Herne Bay House has since closed and the money raised now goes to Mercy Hospice Auckland. This year the festival showcases gay and lesbian-owned gardens and for the first time gardens by other Hospice supporters.
Mt Eden stained glass designer Suzanne Johnson and her partner Ben Hanly will be among hobbyist and competitive gardeners showing off veggie plots, ponds and display grounds.
Ms Johnson and Mr Hanly have entered their garden and stained glass workshop in a number of festivals over the years but this is the first time they have entered the Heroic Gardens Festival.
"We made Mercy Hospice some windows for a little chapel about 10 years ago and that's how we got to know the people," Ms Johnson says.
"We don't do any other charity work and this is a nice thing to do for them."
They have put more than 10 years of time and effort into the multi-levelled garden which has flourished under their hands.
"When we first came here there were four privet trees so it's just amazing how fast things grow in Auckland," Ms Johnson says. "We put in a Dracaena Draco (dragon tree) from Madagascar with a crane – it's very dramatic and very sculptural."
Ms Johnson and Mr Hanly have designed their French Riviera-styled front yard around the majestic dragon tree, taking into account the massive umbrella structure it has created.
"I thought it was a lot of fun with the box hedges, the structure and the shapes," she says.
The property also features a dry garden which Ms Johnson says "has to fend for itself" as the hose doesn't reach, and a marvellous vegetable patch which provides table-ready produce.
Ms Johnson says taking part in the festival gets her out in the garden and keeps her up to date with it.
"The garden has to look really good for the festival and it energises you to make it look good," she says. "It keeps you on your toes."
Mercy Hospice Auckland chief executive Jan Nicols says the festival has a real following of its own built up through its 16 years of history.
"We are so fortunate to have such amazing support from these very generous and talented gardeners," she says.
"Excitingly there are a number of new gardens this year, particularly from the Coatesville area, plus some real favourites that are a delight to visit annually. It's an exciting event for Mercy Hospice Auckland to be involved with and an essential one.
"The funds raised are very much needed to ensure this community service remains free to people with a life-limiting illness."
Garden owners will be present on February 18 and 19 to offer an opportunity for visitors to talk with them.
Tickets cost $35 and can be used on both days. Ticket sales revenue will help support Mercy Hospice Auckland. Visit www.heroicgardens.org.nz to purchase tickets or for information.
Article by Kelsey Fletcher, Central Leader