Garden 4

Rachel Stace and Richard Stewart
45 Albert Crescent, Putiki Bay

Rachel has been a passionate gardener for as long as she can remember, and Richard is a professional horticulturist and landscaper.  Their combined talents are obvious in this outstanding garden. A variety of plantings cover the 1,391m3 sloped site, with well-built steps, a magnificent boardwalk and a stunning sea view over Putiki Bay.

The property was purchased in 2016. Rachel and Richard have worked on the inherited framework to create an extraordinary garden. Meandering paths take you through a range of terraced gardens of exotic, sub-tropical and native plants. There are raised macrocarpa vegetable gardens, an orchard of plum, peaches and avocados, banks of citrus, a hibiscus garden, a slope of multi-coloured abutilon. There is a small shade house for potting orchids and seedlings, a variety of nut trees, tropical fruit and a native area with nikau, puka, flaxes and Poor Knights coprosma. Birds are abundant. An ancient Pohutukawa is lit up at night. 

Every group of plants has been thoughtfully placed and the combined knowledge of these two gardeners offers visitors an inspirational experience.

Access to this garden is via a free shuttle bus from the corner shop on Ostend Road where you may park your car. Many thanks to Waiheke High School for donating the use of the shuttle.