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Hattenburn

This rural Carterton garden beneath the Tararuas benefits from a high annual rainfall and has to stand up to strong winds. Over 13 years, the owners have transformed a bare paddock into a lush oasis of native bush.

Well-established second canopy species of beech, lancewood, miro and ti kouka now provide shelter and a safe haven for tui, bellbirds and kereru. Last summer Anna counted 17 tui, feeding on the 40 kowhai trees in her garden.

Dotted throughout – sometimes hiding round a corner, or perched high on a hill – you’ll see Malcolm’s art figures and Anna-Marie’s mosaic sculptures.

Art is everywhere at Hattenburn and is one of Anna-Marie’s greatest joys in the garden, along with working towards a self-sufficient way of life. Almost all of the family’s fruit and vegetables come from their raised edible gardens.

CARTERTON

Bus FriendlyRefreshmentsSales available

In the recycled window greenhouse they use hügelkultur (hill culture or mound) to build soil fertility and retain moisture. Naturally felled rotting wood is mixed with soil to create a nutrient-rich, carbon-dense environment, perfect for growing edibles.

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Anna-Marie has a background in horticulture and landscape design but says Hattenburn evolved organically, with no particular landscape plan. Anna-Marie is a great plant propagator and will have plenty of native plants for sale.

The house is off-grid with solar panels and a wind turbine for power. A small collection of Massey Ferguson tractors will also be on display.

The Hattenburn garden takes its name from a town in Scotland. A soldier returning from WWI bought the land as a rehab farm and named it as a tribute to the Scottish village because of the hospitality he received there.

As a newcomer to the tour, Hattenburn offers an interesting insight into native plantings, sustainable gardening practices, and integrating art as a garden feature. It’s a garden to linger in and learn from. Paths are paved with lime, with lots of seating throughout. BYO picnics are welcome and cream teas will be available to purchase.

GALLERY