Layered Landscapes
Half Day Tour
Key features: A half-day tour of country gardens, one of which is new to Garden Marlborough. You will explore generously proportioned gardens ranging from classical elegance to lush textural abundance. Take your time wandering an idyll with a touch of French flair, under established trees, and through restored and expanded gardens.
Originally laid out in 1924 with extensive vegetable gardens, a small home orchard and native plantings, this garden was wildly overgrown when Robyn Gifford and Rod McLeod - brand new to gardening - took on its restoration in 2022. While respecting the original setting, this work-in-progress garden is evolving to include extended native plantings and whimsical, cottage style naturalistic beds, creating a sanctuary for the owners to enjoy.
Huguette did not intend to create a particular style, instead her romantic garden simply evolved over time, becoming an inspired cottage garden with a lot of hydrangeas - ‘hortensia’ in French. Colour-coordinated flowers match the house’s Victorian style and Spring Creek, a gem of pristine and peaceful water which flows through the garden, can be crossed via a bridge inspired by Claude Monet’s Giverny.
Purchased in 2003, this land was full of thriving weeds but still retained the structure of beautiful old trees and a wide terrace looking out to a stunning mountain vista. The open and expansive garden that subsequently developed celebrates the broad dramatic views and complements the owners’ home and vineyard.
