Larchwood House is located in the Nelson region on the Tasman Coastal Highway between Ruby Bay and Motueka. Our extensive, much loved gardens add to the tranquility of the accommodation we offer.
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The garden at Larchwood House is predominantly a cottage garden, designed and planted less than 20 years ago. There are garden beds and lawns curving around the house, with a large pond providing focus as a water feature. Our efforts to fill the pond with fish have been thwarted by our proximity to the estuary and its hungry bird life. Blue herons, black shags and kingfishers come by regularly for a snack.
This garden is best seen in the spring and early summer, with abundant white and lilac wisteria framing the verandahs. Trees, flowerbeds and lawns draw the eyes on to some new feature at every turn. Numerous flowering Prunus provide a spectacular display unfolding through the spring combined with rhododendrons and camellias. Many climbing and bush roses provide colour throughout the summer, in beds and mixed perennial borders. A variety of established trees, Oaks, Acers, Willows, and Elms, provide structure and shape in the background.
Alongside the house, New Zealand tree ferns are planted to frame the view from inside and to impart a cooling effect in the summer. Hydrangeas of many different varieties are grown, sometimes reaching 3 metres in height at the front of the house.
Larchwood House garden is a flower arranger's dream, with fascinating material at every time of year. It is not a purist's garden, as it mixes both New Zealand native and introduced plants and trees. All combine to deliver peace for the eyes and the nerves!
A small number of fruit trees provide blossom in the spring and fruit for our table. The vegetable garden too, is a source of fresh vegetables in the best of condition.
But things change. As an art form the whole garden is a work in progress as like many other gardeners we are never finished!
