An interview with Secret Gardeners, Raewyn and Dave of Willoughbridge — an established garden complete with an orchard, large specimen trees and Bonsai collection in Rangiora, Canterbury.
Secret Gardens is a garden-share platform that enables you to visit a diverse and inspiring collection of New Zealand gardens, across the seasons — along with the opportunity to meet the passionate, knowledgeable gardeners behind them.
This autumn, we’ve invited some of the insightful Secret Gardeners to share their thoughts and tips for this time of year in the garden.
In this interview, we speak with Raewyn and Dave, who have worked hard to establish their impressive Rangiora garden.
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Meet the gardeners — Raewyn and Dave | Willoughbridge
Raewyn and Dave are a great team in the garden, each with their particular interests and passions.
Dave had his first garden at aged five and has never lost interest – plants are his passion to this day. A Diploma in Horticulture at Lincoln University kick started a long and varied career in horticulture which incorporated orchard work, garden centre management, a stint at a wildflower nursery in Perth W.A and two years at DSIR in the Crop Research division, working on herbs, nuts, new crops and pulses. A position as a Horticultural Field Officer with Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, later led to the role of Quarantine Officer, which he held for 33 years.
Since retiring in 2020, Dave dedicates his time to gardening, bonsai, begonias and native ground ferns. Fishing and nature walks are indulged in when time permits.
Raewyn grew up in a gardening family, back in the days of the “quarter acre pavlova paradise”. There were always weekend gardening jobs – picking up the lawn edge clippings was the least favoured – and still is! This was also where she developed the skills that now see the pantry and freezer fully stocked with home grown produce. Roses are a strong favourite, and many in the formal rose garden were choices made for nostalgic reasons. Raewyn works in office administration – full time in winter, part time in summer – a perfect arrangement for a keen gardener.
What changes in your garden do you most look forward to as autumn sets in?
The surprise of the eruption of forgotten about treats such as autumn Crocus, Belladonna lilies and autumn flowering Cyclamen. We love the Dahlia and Michaelmas Daisy in full bloom, as do the butterflies and bees.
What’s your favourite autumn harvest?
Feijoa, feijoa, feijoa. The perfume of freshly picked feijoa and their divine taste brings back so many childhood memories. Both the bottled feijoa and our ‘Peasgood’s Nonsuch’ apple are a bounty for the coming winter breakfasts.
What are the main tasks you’ll be tackling in your garden this autumn?
Autumn is a time for hedge trimming – Griselinia, Pittosporum, Corokia, Olearia and the Teucrium (again!). There is satisfaction gained from knowing that the groomed appearance will be with us for some months.
What’s your stand-out favourite thing about the autumn season?
Autumn colours on display by our golden weeping willows, Japanese maples, and Claret and Golden Ash are a sight to behold. Not to forget the subtle fading hues of the various hydrangeas.
Willoughbridge is part of Secret Gardens.
To visit this garden, book a visit at: www.secretgardens.co.nz
