Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Peacock Fountain at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Type	Botanic gardens
Location	Christchurch
Coordinates
Area	21 hectares (52 acres)
Created	1863 (1863)
Operated by	Christchurch City Council
Open	All year
Website	Official website

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

Curator's House

The Gardens sprawl over an area of 21 hectares and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens have a variety of collection of exotic and local plants of New Zealand. Some of the many attractions of these beautiful Gardens include:

• The impressive Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, which opened in April 2014, has a café, gift shop and an interactive permanent exhibition featuring the history of plants and gardening in Canterbury, New Zealand.
• The Herb Garden, located by the Curator's House, (started in 1986) has several plants of culinary and medicinal value (see Herbalism).
• The Central Rose Garden has more than 250 varieties of modern cultivar roses.
• The Heritage Rose Garden has a selection of rambling heritage roses that delight in the summer months.
• Collections of plants from all around the world including Asia, North America, Europe, South America and South Africa.
• The conservatory complex which includes Cuningham House, a large Victorian glasshouse containing an impressive tropical collection, Townend House with its flowering plant displays and Garrick House with an impressive cacti collection. Gilpin House, with an orchid/carnivorous plant collection, is yet to re-open post-earthquake.
• The Fernery has an array of native New Zealand ferns.
• A variety of bird watching opportunities, with many woodpigeons being present and a cormorant colony in action during the spring
• The Rock Garden contains some plants that remain in flower throughout the year.
• The Erica Garden has several Ericas and Callunas, providing flowers and foliage year round.
• A portion of the Gardens has several species of Rhododendron and hybrids with several associated plants of Hostas, Helleborus and Liliums.
• The Water Garden has lilies and irises and is surrounded by many mature trees and shrubs.
• A mature native plant section with a wide range of New Zealand plants.