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Historic gardens in the Bay of Islands - Page 3

© Lynda Jardinet

The garden at Kemp House was being restored when tragedy struck in 1981. A disastrous flood swept through the area, leaving the historic house knee-deep in water, and the garden all but destroyed. The enormous wisteria which creeps along the verandah at Kemp House was one of the few plants which stood firm. The Historic Places Trust is now recreating the garden, using old photographs and records. I could have wandered up the garden paths for the rest of the afternoon, admiring the aquilegia and the beautiful Rugosa roses. But the hunger pangs had hit again. With fresh scones topped with whipped cream and jam on offer at the cafe two doors down, who could resist?

With our feet rested and our stomachs replenished, it was time to begin the long drive back to Auckland. But by chance, we discovered one more sight-to-see - "Edmonds Ruins". It sounded delightful, and it was.

In the 1840s, stonemason, farmer and missionary John Edmonds cleared a small farm and used the rocks to build a home for his family. The interior and roof of the cottage were destroyed by fire in 1885, but the crumbling walls remain. The ruins have since been stabilised and the bread oven is still largely intact. Out the back, I found the stone walls of John Edmonds' garden. Two peach trees were covered in tiny fruits (no doubt the possums will enjoy their sweet harvest) and beautiful blue flowered passionfruit vines entwined the wattle trees. Morning glory has all but obliterated the shape of the garden, but wildflowers and canna lilies have self-seeded in the decades since the cottage was abandoned. As I sat on the stone wall, I could only imagine what life must have been like for Mr Edmonds and his family, forging a life in a hostile country far from home. It was a fascinating find - and the perfect way to end a wonderful weekend exploring the gardens of New Zealand's pioneering gardeners.

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