Wairarapa’s Longbush Cottage has become the first property in the region to be awarded a prestigious four-star ‘Garden of Significance’ rating from the New Zealand Gardens Trust [NZGT].
The trust awards ratings across the country as part of its aim to promote gardens to national and international visitors, as well as excellence in – and the benefits of – gardening.
Longbush Cottage owners Luke Gardner and Ben Quay said they are thrilled to have received the rating after a recent visit and assessment by NZGT representatives.
“Since beginning this garden, from a bare paddock when we arrived eight years ago, we’ve strived to develop a flower-filled modern cottage garden with plenty for visitors to explore and discover,” Gardner said.
NZGT promotes New Zealand gardens and horticulture through its assessment system of all registered gardens.
Assessors are made up of qualified horticulturists and landscape architects.
Trust chair Wendy Palmer said NZ Gardens Trust is delighted to welcome Longbush Cottage to its portfolio of gardens.
A four-star rated garden must display a good degree of design and plantmanship.
“Being awarded a four-star rating with a garden that is only eight years old is a fantastic achievement,” Palmer said.
Longbush Cottage holds a Tulip Festival each spring and has more recently hosted a new ‘Rose in the Roses’ event.
