The entrance is marked by imposing black pillars, offering a subtle nod to the striking residence beyond. The lime-chip driveway, flanked by a finely pleached poplar hedge, sets a stately tone as it draws visitors toward the heart of the property.

At the car park, mature Pyrus ‘Aristocrat’ ornamental pear trees offer a canopy of dappled shade, while carefully sculpted Buxus sempervirens spirals invite guests through a dramatic black wall and into the garden’s inner sanctum.

At the centre of the composition lies an elegant rill that guides the eye directly to the dramatic, all-black, Georgian-inspired timber house — a bold architectural statement amidst a masterfully orchestrated garden.

Surrounding the home is a symphony of structure and texture. Each garden ‘room’ offers balance, rhythm, and scent, highlighted by pleached limes, clipped hornbeam, and fragrant bay laurel. A circular pond connects the formal garden to the wider landscape.

In the lower garden, a circular pond opens the vista to the surrounding countryside, providing a seamless connection between the formality of the garden and the natural beauty beyond.

This is a garden for all seasons. In spring, Pyrus candelabra trees burst into exuberant blossom, setting the stage for summer’s richness, where structured Buxus contrasts beautifully with hydrangeas, irises, salvias, and clematis. Be aware of the tiger in the fig walk!

The Stablehouse Garden has been cited as a Garden of National Significance with a prestigious 5-star rating by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.