COMMUNITY GROWN

In the 28 years since a handful of garden-mad Marlborough folk dreamt up a way to celebrate local gardens and bring other garden- crazy people together, Garden Marlborough has grown to a four- day festival packed with activities, tours and workshops. It attracts visitors from throughout New Zealand and — in pre-pandemic days — from across the Tasman.

Two of those pioneers — Carolyn Ferraby (Barewood) and Richard Macfarlane ( Winterhome, designed by Richard’s late wife Sue) — still open their magnificent properties to join the dozens in the festival line-up. From small and perfectly created suburban gardens in the heart of Blenheim to sprawling woodland retreats, there is a significant array of garden styles, sizes and themes.

Visitors are transported around the district for half- or fullday tours, and workshops are available during the day and on most evenings, culminating in the glamorous garden party where new friends enjoy each others’ company over wines and bid for artworks at the auction.

The art auction and event raffles raise money for community projects to encourage gardening, promote its benefits and enhance Marlborough’s physical environment.

Recent projects include: ▷ Creating a boardwalk in local lagoon restoration project Te Whānau Hou Grovetown. ▷ Horticultural scholarships to Lincoln University.

▷ Helping to establish an edible garden and shade trees in several local schools.

▷ Donating and planting trees in public spaces.

▷ Gifting outdoor artwork to Wairau Hospital and Pollard Park.

▷ Developing a garden at Marlborough Hospice.

Rapaura Springs Garden Marlborough, 4 to 7 November. Book: gardenmarlborough.co.nz