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Longbush Cottage

Now a 4 STAR Garden of Significance, Longbush Cottage returns to the Garden tour four years after opening to the public for the first time. The annual Tulip Festival is on for the weekend of Saturday 05 and Sunday 06 October 2024, 10am to 4pm. See how Luke completely transforms his garden by visiting for the Tulip Festival AND the garden tour!

1023 Longbush Road
Longbush

BYO picnic Refreshments Sales available Toilet available Wheelchair accessibleBus
Longbush Cottage has grown from strength to strength since opening on our tour in 2020 and it is no surprise that the magic green-fingered Luke has once again wowed us by adding not one, two or three but four stunning glasshouses to his already wonderful garden.

We’ve always known Longbush Cottage was a hidden gem in the Wairarapa but now the rest of the world knows too – We were so pleased to congratulate Luke on achieving a 4 star rating as a garden of significance from the New Zealand Gardens Trust. It’s a huge honour to have the continued support of gardens of such high calibre as Longbush Cottage on the tour.

Lukes garden is comprised of a series of rooms, each with its own interesting theme/story – my favourite is the lipstick garden filled with punchy bright upright flowers. The front of the cottage is where you will find the white garden a formal yet calm space showcasing silver foliage and white flowers. When they are all in bloom en-mass the white on green effect is breathtaking. A totara-lined hallway branches off to each of the various rooms, the view from the top of the walkway is stunning. You’ll find each room unique, in its colour scheme, planting and purpose to evoke your senses.

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The hallway path will eventually take you to the standing stone in the orchard and a stunning outlook of the pond and its island bordered by plenty of wetland shrubbery and natives. If you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of a frog or two!

Behind the cottage is the “cottage garden” a space devoted to classic cottage garden plants in soft pastel shades. Here you’ll find delphiniums, plenty of peonies, irises, aquilegias, lupins, early roses and classic cottage blooms.

Luke has cleverly used a natural shady spot to plant ferns and other water and shade-loving species – a quiet and lovely place to reflect, the perfect use of nature. The working part of the garden includes vegetable beds, a cutting garden and Luke’s nursery where a selection of his favourite plants will be for sale.

Again back by popular demand, Anderson St Kitchen will have your taste buds humming so bring your appetite and cash for these delicious refreshments.

GALLERY