Our first stop of the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival was in Okato and belonged to Barbara Williams who has owned it for over 60 years. We were greeted by Wendy, the gardener, who has maintained these gardens for over 15 years.
The paths were immaculate and you could tell that each and every leaf and blossom of the garden were tended with lots of love.
Below is a horizontal elm, quite a sight to see.
It was so colorful and well-established; Hubby and I spent a lot of time wandering around the 7 acres of scenery taking photos.
These photos are from the woolshed. According to Mrs Williams' daughter, if you turned on the electricity, it would be ready to shear sheep.
Thanks, Wendy! Your gardening skills prove that you love what you do!
Beautiful Spring shots Betty, thanks for sharing them with us at Reconnect with Nature. Can't believe there is still snow on top of that mountain! and its November!
ReplyDeleteTake care. xx
Fabulous garden. I can't believe one owner for 60 yrs...a labor of true love.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful plants and trees ..... great photo work.
ReplyDeleteBest regards, Karin
I have never seen a yellow magnolia! That is a first and a lovely one. Here is my contribution to your meme:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.life-change-compost.com/bouquet-remember/
I hope the timing is okay. An interesting synchronicity is that my second post (that went along with the above) was about Border Collies and herding sheep. There is quite an interesting link there. Wait until AFTER the lamb recipe!
What beautiful gardens!
ReplyDeleteWonderful different photos of your world.
ReplyDeleteI like them.
Bettyl...I decided to move my personal blog to a new location and give me a break from all the spam.. the new address is a myramblingwoods.com ...thank you so much for your kind comments..I so appreciate it.. Michelle
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden and how lovely that it is open for the public. Your photos are great.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. The Elm ia wonderful. I feel like that.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and a large place too. Love the barn with all the sheep tools. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes Bettyl... Michelle
ReplyDeleteAhhh...we're into fall and you're easing nicely into spring. How wonderfully kept those gardens are. For someone to have been there 60 years and to maintain them as lovely as they are, is wonderful dedication.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful garden and a very talented Wendy
ReplyDeletebeautiful gardens! I do love that bench with the wagon wheel!
ReplyDeleteWow; Such a beautiful garden with pretty spring flowers♡♡♡ I was born in sheep year, wish to see shearing sheep with my own eyes p:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for stopping by; I'm away from PC for more than a week, see you in two weeks; have a great days♪
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Thanks for sharing all your beautiful photos, the garden has so many delightful things to appreciate.
ReplyDeleteLots of beauty there for sure. That horizontal elm tree was unique.
ReplyDeleteI loved that bench with the wheel back.
Such a beautiful garden! I love the bench with the wheel.
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