Ngāmotu

Ngāmotu is a classic country garden, set amongst mature trees – including a 100 year old kowhai that graces the front lawn (and was host to a throng of exuberant tui on the day we visited in early spring).
The property, which has been in Bruce’s family for over a century, has undergone a transformation in recent years, through Linda and Bruce’s shared creative flare, hard work, and a desire to create a special place for family, friends and future generations to enjoy.
Bruce and his late wife planted many of the trees on the property over 30 years ago, when there was just a small cottage on this site. “To do that required real vision” says Linda, “we’re so lucky to now have that lovely structure in the garden – the large old oak tree, magnolia, flowering cherries, elders, camellias.”
Over the past ten years, Linda has planted rows of hydrangeas, beds of roses, mass plantings of hellebores, hostas, peonies and most recently a crab-apple avenue. “The garden is what I would call an old -fashioned garden. I’ve designed the planting so there’s something pretty to look at all year round.“
The newly established picking garden is a mix of foliage and flowers, lilies, hydrangeas, dahlias, chrysanthemums, sedums, statice, echinacea, gum “and whatever else catches my eye.”
Linda also manages a productive vegetable patch, walled with a hedge to keep the wind at bay and guarded by a gate swung with two gorgeous old concrete pillars rescued from the farm.
The pocket of bush, not far from the garden, ensures that birdlife is a real feature of this garden. Wood pigeon, tui, silver eye and pheasant are all regular visitors. “It’s not uncommon to see 10-15 tui in the kowhai tree at any one time.”
Ngāmotu is a tranquil, accessible garden, that offers something for the senses to enjoy across every season. As well as sharing her knowledge, Linda often has potted plants for sale, at very affordable prices.