Held at Penny Zino’s beautiful Flaxmere Garden, this special visit will be a great opportunity to explore this garden of International Significance which has been awarded a six-star rating by New Zealand Garden Trust.

Penny's garden is well known from the days of 'Art in a Garden' and currently the Hurunui Garden Festival. Even those that have visited Flaxmere before will uncover new and fascinating changes to the expansive planting which Penny began over 54 years ago. 

A plant sale featuring hard-to-find specimens propagated by Penny will ensure gardeners leave with a treat, and there will be a silent auction of donated plants from generous local garden centres. 

The barn will also host a panel discussion with top local horticultural experts, moderated by garden writer Julia Atkinson-Dunn. She will probe the international experience of Wolfgang Bopp, Director of Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Garden Parks and his wife Dr. Janet Cubey the Editor-in-Chief of the RHS Plant Finder. Along with local garden identity Athol McCully there is fascinating and valuable information to be uncovered from this top line-up!

Art from over nine Canterbury artists, including Amelia Guild, Min Kim, Svetlana Orinko, will be for sale and all commissions from will be donated to The Court Theatre. 

Flaxmere will be open exclusively to our guests on Sunday 20 November from 10am - 4pm. 

What to Expect:

  • Food, wine, music and art to enjoy, as well as a fabulous garden.
  • A raffle, with all proceeds to the new theatre
  • A plant auction (closing at 2pm). We will only have a small provision of bags available for the plant sale, so suggest you bring a bag to take home your purchases!
  • A panel discussion/Q&A with local gardening experts. 

The ticket price of $50 covers a glass of wine on arrival or a refreshing beverage. Food is available for purchase and tea and coffee will be served.

Please note that any requirements of the current Covid-19 Protection Framework (at time of Garden Visit) will apply to people attending.

Tickets are available here.