The garden has a total land of 64hectars, located in Manurewa, South Auckland, New Zealand. From Auckland city, you can take a train or go by taxi. It is owned by Auckland City Council. They purchased the land in 1968, started the developments in 1973 and officially opened to the public in 1982. It has more than 10,000 types of plants. The mission of the garden for the plants is beyond exhibition: research, education, cultivation, and reintroduction back into the wild or commercial horticulture. It is also for the conservation of plants, native plants, and a collection of plants from around the globe.
Compared to the Botanical Garden of Wellington, ABG is way much bigger. However, during my visit in 2015 - it was not Spring so I haven’t seen much of colorful trees at all. However, I really loved this place.
Compartments in the garden: numerable gardens, a visitor center, a library, and a Ellerslie flower show (was moved to Christchurch in 2008)
Show/exhibition:
Edible and Herb Garden: is one of the oldest plantings, established in 1979, with an array of herbs conveying their uses, value and historical significance. It shows a a series of themed gardens which include various sections including:
The Walled Garden,
Culinary Courtyard,
Kiwi Backyard, and
Orchard (I love the edible & herb garden most. It does not only show plants from NZ, but from around the globe. Many edible plants from Asian seen here).
Rose Garden: a collection of varieties of roses, including native of New Zealand.
Historic Rose Garden (species and heritage roses),
Reflective Rose Garden (formal display of floribunda, hybrid tea, shrub and climbing roses),
New Zealand Rose Garden (a mix of garden roses with native plants) and
Pergola Garden (modern and heritage roses with colourful perennials and annuals).
Palm Garden: one of NZ’s largest outdoor collection of different palms supported by sub-tropical plantings.
South African Garden: a wide range of southern Africa plants, particularly Cape flora. Significant plantings include Proteaceae, Asteraceae, restios and aloes.
Rock Garden: two sections with one an eclectic mix of uncommon plants with an emphasis on small perennials, shrubs, bulbs and succulents and another featuring cacti & succulents from the Americas.
Research & education
Trial Garden: groups of plants are selected for evaluation and research purposes.
The Potter Children’s Garden: arranged in 3 parts,
1st stage: focuses on the relationship between a native bird (kereru) and a native tree (puriri) with additional native planting themes of coastal, forest, wetland and a maze.
2nd part has 4 distinct habitats (bog, meadow, jungle and desert) showing plant adaptations.
3rd area contains a classroom and sustainable edible garden.
Gondwana Arboretum: groupings of trees planted from the early 2000s onwards which showcase predominantly coniferous trees from Southern Hemisphere countries which once were part of Gondwana.
Perennial Garden: bold, creative, colourful combinations of colour, texture and form of perennial plants that are known to do well in Auckland.
Camellia Garden: a collection of species and cultivars with well-known Camellia species of japonica, sasanquas and reticulatas, supported with woody and herbaceous plantings of East Asian origin.
Magnolia Garden: a diverse array of species and cultivars, including a collection of NZ-bred varieties.
Urban Trees: shows a selection of small trees that can be successfully planted in private gardens.
I think the garden idea is very good for every city/country to showcase their native plants. It is very good for family, kids and day out and ideal places for wedding or prewedding shoot. It gives you so much knowledge and great feeling when you are stressed from work/daily life.
Entry information:
Free entry, I think you need the whole day to visit everything in detailed.
Nice post @Sophia_Cambodia . A garden with 10000 species is really amazing and the garden itself is also 50 years old. NZ is doing better to preserve nature. Very often I see them rescue stranded Whales that is really tough work to do but they do it nicely and save those innocent animals. Why did you share the photo of the African garden only? Should we wait for Asian, American, and European gardens in your next posts . Stay safe.
Hahaha, you are funny @MukulR I do have photos from other garden but not very impressive since it was not in Spring (not much flowers). Moreover, these plants in the African garden seems to be strange and new to me while I have seen others in the botanical gardens in Wellington already.
Hey @Sophia_Cambodia I laying when reached the botanical garden because tired ,on the way to destination I’m riding bike and little bit accident my motorbike hit the other car and the owner car complain so much to me and I’m paying for repair
Oh no dear @Nyainurjanah so you did not enjoy it so much, right? Glad you are okay. That’s one of the disadvantages to riding the bike on long way. I ride a bike to work my whole life but when going back to hometown, I don’t ride a bike. I would take a taxi or going with others in the car. The accidents happen just too much here.
Thanks for sharing this @Sophia_Cambodia ! I used to live in Auckland for two years during high school. but I don’t think I’ve ever been to the botanical garden. I need to make sure to visit here next time I’m back in Auckland (whenever that is…)
I’m so happy that you got to see the Botanical Garden inAuckland @Sophia_Cambodia . Like many of the gardens in New Zealand, as shown in your beautiful photos, it is an amazing garden and you can easily spend hours there. I have to say that one of my favorite New Zealand gardens is the Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell, in Port Chalmers with amazing views from that elevation over the harbor.
Agree with you @AdamGT I love New Zealand for every city they reserve big piece of land to build parks and garden which are very pleasant to spend time there. It is one of the attractions that people don’t forget to check out.
. Stay safe.
