Gardens of the World

Gardens of the World is the name of our six acre, 2.4 hectare, garden, open to the public from 9am until dusk all year round. It was first planted in 1990, so now is a mature garden. There is plenty of colour and the design is such that there is something of interest all year round. The long opening hours give visitors plenty of time to enjoy this unique experience.

The Garden is a dream come true, a dream to give enjoyment in a "touch" of paradise, to conserve unusual plants for people to see for the first time. The plantings are geographically grouped, in areas from different continents. There are also formal rose, herb and herbaceous areas, with a lake, stream and fountains. The bird life in the Garden is one of its unique features.

Many couples and groups choose the Garden for their Birthday Parties, Family Photos, Garden Barbeques, Garden Picnics, Garden Weddings, Garden Wedding Photos, receptions and functions.

History

Geoff and Gillian Etherington were the founders of the Gardens Of The World. It started as a dream to create a unique and special place where many species of plants and trees could be preserved and displayed for all to enjoy.

1980's Concept and design for the Gardens of the World were started.
1990 Apple orchard was removed and the land shaped.
1990 First plantings were planted in August and September.
1991 New Zealand Garden started taking shape.
1992 American Garden started taking shape.
1993 Rose Garden of this treasure was added.
1994 Garden's centre lake was filled; this lake is a major feature of the Gardens of the World, which reflects the surrounding Gardens.
1995 The first plantings of the Herb Gardens took place.
1996 White Garden was planted and the wooden bridge completed.
1997 Stone Bridge was added to cross over the stream.
1998 Japanese Garden completed.
1999 Fountain Garden added and completed.
2008 The Day family sharing the same passion for the Gardens of the World took over the operation and responsibility of the Gardens of the World.
2009 Granite seats were added around the Garden, A new wooden bridge added over the stream in the White Garden also a large Obelisk was added into the centre of the Herb Garden.
2010 New Zealand Garden has been extended with new plantings and walkways.  The Rose Garden watering system has been upgraded.  New plantings in the White Garden have been added.  A new Bridal Garden and Arch have been added into the Gardens of the World.

Our goals for Gardens of the World is to create a unique experience for visitors from around the world and having an area in the Tasman and Nelson district that New Zealanders  young and old can enjoy for generations.  Our main goal has and always will be education; it is through education of our environment that we stand the best change of preserving our future on this planet.