Te Rākau Pāmamao
Te Rākau Pāmamao recognises the large tree on the southern boundary as well as a nod to Enid Blyton’s book “The Faraway Tree” – being magical and mystical for children – whilst acknowledging an aspect of Te Ao Māori.
Les and Gabrielle’s garden is magical, the open spaces providing areas for the children in the family to run and play, cricket matches for the big kids and plenty of shade in the hot Martinborough summers. The openness of the design is not an accident, the garden is designed to compliment the house each giving the other space to shine equally.
139 Dublin Street
Martinborough
Starting as two acres of paddocks grazing sheep with a long macrocarpa hedge down one side – and of course the iconic pine faraway tree at the front, Les and Gabrielle engaged a landscape architect to help with the early concept designs including the placement of the driveway, orchard area, parterre and a few other features. It took six years of thinking, planning, and design work before planting began.
The planting takes into account and reflects the dry, hot and windy summers in Martinborough as well as the frosty, cool, winter climate. Unsurprising to rural Martinborough residents, the design and plantings also take into account rabbits and the abundant bird life. A unique covered berry house keeps these pesky thieves at bay.
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The six buxus squares within the parterre, all tell a family story – my favourite is the family of ducks for the grandchildren. Every buxus plant in the garden has been grown from cuttings taken from 40 original parent plants still thriving at the back of the garden – ready for more hedges and topiary. Every tree and plant has a story because of the careful consideration in its planting.
The olive grove at the front of the property delivers friends and family an annual supply of olive oil and the citrus trees were laden at my first visit. There are several varieties of fruit trees as well as a beautifully tended vegetable garden with rich soil from the compost which is boosted by seaweed from the south coast, local sheep manure and local pea straw.
The flower gardens reflect Gabrielle’s favourite flowers, ranging from traditional roses, lavenders, and lilacs, to hydrangeas, peonies, delphiniums, and camellias
On entering this beautiful landscape, take a moment to take it all in from the top of the driveway the view is impressive.
Martinborough Museum committee is providing morning and afternoon teas in the courtyard as a fundraiser for the Museum. Tea or coffee with a home-baked sweet treat will be available for $5 (cash only please).
GALLERY
