Follow the pathways as they guide you through the orchard and productive areas into the bordered rooms looking out to the Tararuas. Erica’s favourite part of her garden is the hot border of gold and orange blooms. You’ll find flowering hot yarrows, lillies, daisies, roses and salvias – all oranges, yellows and golds. She says these fiery colours are often overlooked by gardeners, but she loves them en masse.

Plantings include ethereal varieties: hollyhocks, delphiniums, and heritage perennials often collected from little old ladies at plant stalls. Salvias are her favourite flowers because they look good in all seasons and require little water.

In response to the stony soils and prevailing nor-westerlies, Erica developed prairie style plantings that combine grasses, flaxes and perennials. This reduces watering and is low maintenance.

As chief gardener, Erica developed a passion for planting from her mother, growing up on a South Island sheep station. She loves her garden for the way it connects her to the seasons and provides respite amidst the busy-ness of work and family life.

At the time of visiting Erica was developing plans for a new abortorium featuring specimen trees.

Local propagator Louisa Shannon will be selling heritage roses, hydrangeas, buxus and perennials at Kinder Garden. Cash only.