Newspaper Article 2009 – Grand old lady back on view

Grand old lady back on view

PHYLLIDA AND STUART Gibson are offering guided tours of the grand old house at Gwavas Gardens when six Tikikino [Tikokino] gardens open to the public this weekend.

The Gibsons have brought family life back to the house for the first time since 1963 and will be offering guided tours on Saturday and Sunday when the six district homes open for a “fun weekend”.

After extensive upgrading the homestead is now not only a family home but is also offering dinner, bed and breakfast and is also available for lunches, functions and weddings.

The gardens will be open from 9am-5pm each day offering an array of stalls, wineries, art, plants, sculpture, craft and charity stalls. Food, coffee, tea and other refreshments are available at some of the gardens and visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic.

When coming from Napier and Hastings, the first garden is Awatea Daffodils, which is 11km from the Maraekakaho monument, followed by Gwavas, Awatea Country, Trenrose, Springvale (turn down Owen Street at Tikokino), followed by Sentry Hill, a very scenic drive down Makaretu Road (off Highway 50).

The six gardens are:
Awatea Daffodils, a picturesque cottage garden with colourful perennials and roses, specimen trees and water features provide the ideal spot to relax.

Gwavas Gardens, planted in 1885, is nine hectares of woodland garden featuring azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons and the historic homestead.

A scarlet oak- lined driveway leads to Awatea Country Garden, an all-season garden with mixed plantings of azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. A woodland walkway, densely planted beds of perennials, lilies and roses and a parterre makes this a delightful garden.

A three-acre paddock of more than 6500 paeonies and a large home garden with more than 200 roses and perennials greet visitors to Trenrose Paeonies and Gallery.

Springvale is a country garden full of cottage plants and roses with specimen trees and water features surrounding a lovely historic homestead.

The drive to Sentry Hill, a garden with a comprehensive collection of beautiful trees and waterways, will be rewarding as it will take you through some beautiful country.

Tikokino Gardens fun day, $5 a garden or $25 to all six. Tickets, brochures and maps highlighting the attractions are available on the day from any of the gardens. Most gardens are on, or a short distance off, Highway 50 and are signposted. Tikokino’s newly-renovated Sawyers Arms Cafe and Bar will also be open.

Photo captions –

HISTORIC: The old homestead at Gwavas Gardens will be on view this weekend.

FLOWER POWER: More than 6500 paeonies will greet visitors to Trenrose Paeonies and Gallery.