The convenors of the Alexandra Blossom Festival Delta Garden Tour that took place on Sunday (September 24) are grateful to all the gardeners who open their homes and grounds to visitors on the day, and the immense amount of work they do to make their gardens picture perfect.

Glenda Brown has been a garden tour convenor for the past 10 years, with help from her aptly named friend Rae Garden for the past eight years. The role gets passed from hand to hand, Glenda said, with her having taken it over from another friend.

There is no garden society or group from which gardens and gardeners are selected, rather it is simply individuals who are asked if they would take part.

Another view of the Middlemiss garden in Roxburgh.

“It sometimes falls into place very nicely and at other times it can be a very tough job,” Glenda said.

“We just drive up to people’s gardens and knock on their doors and ask them to take part. Mostly, people are very generous and say yes.

“This year, down in Roxburgh, they were lovely.”

Views of Wendy King’s Wynyard Estate Saffron Gardens.

The heavy rain Central Otago experienced late last week had Glenda concerned initially, but she said that the Roxburgh area did not get as much rain as some others and it dried out quickly. The gardeners still had to do a lot of work to have their grounds looking their best, she said.

Glenda and Rae, like so many people involved with all things Blossie, are volunteers, and all profits from the garden tour go into the Blossom Festival coffers.

“We are a great country for volunteers,” Glenda said. “I don’t think our country would run without volunteers.”

Wynyard Estate Saffron Gardens

She said she had spoken to one of the homeowners on Monday morning and the proud gardener said all those on the tour had been lovely, coming in the gate and expressing their gratitude at being welcomed into the private gardens. 

The convenors start planning over winter to decide which area to base the tour in each spring, but Glenda said the choices had become fewer as people put in easier care gardens or planted natives.

“People aren’t gardening as they used to garden, so there are not the same choices,” she said. “Next year, who knows where we will go.”

She and Rae, both avid gardeners themselves, enjoy organising the tours, despite that. 

“We love doing it. It can be stressful at times but, in the end, people are really appreciative.”