Water Garden Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, Canterbury 8013

Welcome to Water Garden, located in Christchurch, Riccarton Avenue, New Zealand. As an establishment, park, and point of interest, Water Garden offers a serene and picturesque experience for visitors of all ages.

Within the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, you will find numerous flowering gardens, each with its own unique size, theme, and design. One of the highlights is the Armstrong Lawn, which has been showcasing spectacular formal spring and summer bedding displays since the late 19th century. These displays were popular during the Victorian era and continue to impress with their vibrant colors and intricate designs. Annual plants, biennials, herbaceous perennials, and standardized shrubs are all used to enhance the displays, adding additional color, height, form, texture, and scent.

Just north of the Water Garden, nestled under a canopy of mature oaks and silver birches, lies the Azalea Garden. This well-established garden boasts a stunning collection of azaleas that bloom for approximately a month from mid-October. The garden is also home to an impressive collection of magnolias, with sculptured magnolia flowers adding to the beauty of the spring display.

For lovers of roses, the Central Rose Garden is a must-visit. This formal garden is ideally located near the conservatories, providing a sunny and sheltered site away from large trees. Here, you will find a wide variety of modern garden roses, including bush, climbing, standard, and miniature roses. The original Rose Garden, established in 1909, was considered the largest and finest in Australasia at the time. Its rectangular design was inspired by the rose garden owned by the Duchess of Sutherland in Herefordshire, England.

If you're looking for a garden that engages the sense of smell, the Fragrant Garden is a special place. Designed with accessibility in mind, this garden features wide paths, raised planters, and structures for climbers, allowing easy access for all visitors. A wide range of fragrant trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs thrive in this garden, creating a sensory experience like no other.

The Herb Garden, opened in 1987, is home to an extensive collection of herbs grown for medicinal and culinary purposes. Originally located near the Visitor Centre, it has now been moved to neighbor the demonstration garden behind the Curator's House. The herbs from this garden are used by the chefs at the Curator's House restaurant, adding a touch of flavor to their Spanish themed cuisine.

For those who appreciate the beauty of herbaceous perennials, the Herbaceous Border is a sight to behold. Believed to be the longest herbaceous border in a public garden in the Southern Hemisphere, this border showcases a rich tapestry of color, texture, and sweet smells. Carefully arranged with a selection of early, mid-season, and late varieties, the border is at its peak from December to February.

The Heritage Rose Garden, near Christchurch Hospital, has been a cherished part of the Gardens since the 1950s. Remodeled in 1999, it now features a larger collection of modern, old garden, and wild roses. Underplanted with herbaceous perennials, this garden provides a glorious display throughout November and December, with colorful rosehips adding to the beauty during autumn.

The Temperate Asian Collection is a long border that showcases trees and shrubs from countries such as China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. These species have been carefully selected to thrive in the Christchurch climate, and many are known for their beautiful spring flowering displays or brilliant autumn colors. In autumn, you will also find unique fruits that capture the interest of visitors.

Situated with a backdrop of mature trees and shrubs, the Water Garden offers a tranquil setting. The surrounding plantings provide shelter from the wind without excessive shading or root competition. With a wide range of bog garden plants, there is something to suit every garden situation.

For inspiration on how to make the most of a small garden space, visit the Curator's Garden. Designed by landscape architect Dennis Preston, this model garden showcases various techniques, including a formal vegetable garden in raised beds, seasonal crop rotation, companion planting of flowers and vegetables in the potager garden, and creatively trained fruit trees.

At Water Garden, we strive to create a sustainable environment where visitors can be inspired by the possibilities of a small garden. Our dedicated garden and restaurant staff work together to maintain the beauty of the gardens and provide a memorable experience for all who visit.

Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of Water Garden, where nature's splendor awaits.