Plant lovers and people who simply want to walk one of New Zealand’s top gardens, can attend the two-day Ayrlies Plant Fair, on April 5 and 6.
An exciting variety of plants from many of New Zealand’s leading growers will be on sale. This is a festive community occasion where garden lovers can ask a line-up of 20 specialist plant growers those green questions they have been saving up and purchase good quality plants.
Visitors will find heritage and modern roses, perennials new and old-fashioned, bromeliads and air plants, colourful sub-tropicals, native plants, deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, palms, damson plum trees, climbers, orchids, daffodil bulbs, herbs, irises and day lilies. There are so many treasures gardeners are certain to find something to squeeze into their own gardens however small or large.
Ayrlies, pronounced ‘airlees’, is recognised as one of the world’s most significant gardens.
Often termed ‘a living work of art’, Ayrlies has been 54 years in the making.
Creator Bev McConnell, now 88 years-old, is the archetypal sustainable gardener.
She has combined form, colour, and often-unexpected plant combinations that delight visitors from around the world.
The garden, held in a charitable trust with the McConnell family the key sponsor, needs to find ways to increase funding so that it too is sustainable into the future.
The plant fair is a key event and opportunity for anyone interested in buying plants not usually available, or just having a fun day out in a special south-east Auckland haven.
Entry includes access to enjoy the autumn colour and walk the 6 hectares of internationally-acclaimed garden and 16 hectares of wetlands which will refresh your wellbeing. Visit ayrlies.co.nz/home/ and share with whanau and friends.
What: Ayrlies Plant Fair
Where: 125 Potts Road, Whitford
When: 9am – 3pm, Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6
How much: Tickets $10 cash only to be purchased at the gate (it is usually $20) includes entry to walk the garden and wetland. Due to health & safety, unfortunately no children under 12 or dogs permitted
Light refreshments will be available to purchase along with live music.
