Paloma Gardens

About

With plants from all over the world, Paloma's been awarded National Significance by NZ Gardens Trust for the past nine years. Open every day. Entry fee $10 per person over 15 years.

Story

Described as a beautifully designed botanical garden, Paloma Gardens is not just an outstanding collection of plants but also a delightfully presented garden with great vistas, plant associations, textures and colours, all in a serenely natural setting.

It all began shortly after Clive and Nicki were married in 1974, with tree-planting starting in the Norton Arboretum then. In the early 1980s the garden itself started developing with the growing of palm seeds of many different species. Around that time, the bamboo forests were being planned, inspired by an article in the National Geographic.

The road has been long and varied, with the growing of our native flora, succulents, cacti, cycads, ferns, taro, clivias, xerophytic trees, orchids, bromeliads, vireyas, orchids … big leaves, little leaves, pure greens, golds, variegations – plants from all over the world, including New Zealand.

The garden is becoming more evergreen and subtropical. There has been a progression with the emphasis first on collecting, moving to landscaping, adding structure (plants and buildings), sculpture and pottery. The song and dance of frogs and native birds are much enjoyed!

The arboretums continue to be planted with an eclectic range of trees. A path (the BMW walkway in the Norton Arboretum) passes through Clive’s sculptural installation which includes his earth labyrinth.

Paloma Gardens are open every day, all daylight hours