Peppermint Gum (“Eucalyptus Viminalis”)
This Eucalyptus tree is around 140 years old. At last measurement of 198 feet (60.5 m) it is reputed to be one of the tallest gums in New Zealand. If you look up you can see some permanent tethers in place used by the arborists who maintain the tree.
Western Red Cedar (“Thuja Plicata”)
Most likely planted by the Beetham Brothers when they arrived, this tree is very large for its variety.
Irish Yew (“Taxus Baccata Fastigata”)
One of the many relics of old England to be found in this garden, this Yew tree was planted by the original Beetham Brothers and could well have been brought with them from England. Due to the whippy nature of the timber it was commonly used, back in the day, for making bows.
Maidenhair Tree (“Ginko Biloba”)
Ginko is one of the oldest living tree varieties which was growing in the time of the dinosaurs. This particular tree is well over 140 years old, and is located in the area which was formerly the fernery.
Gum ( “Eucalyptus Regnans”)
Could this tree be a long lost sibling of the giant gum in the middle of Greytown...? Local legend speaks of Samuel Oates, who walked an epic three day journey over the Rimutaka Hill from Wellington, pushing a wheelbarrow containing young Eucalypti – belonging to his employer who had brought them from Australia. When he got to Greytown, he stopped for a refreshment at the Pub, leaving his wheelbarrow outside. When eventually he exited the pub, three of the plants were gone, one making it’s home at St Luke’s, Greytown and another supposedly reaching this current location… what you are looking at today?
Swamp Cypress or Bald Cypress (“Taxodium Distichum”)
This is a deciduous variety of conifer.
Gardener’s Shed
Moving through the Camelias to the bottom of the garden is the original Gardener’s shed, used by the 5 gardeners, including Head Gardener William Summers, who used it as their tool and potting shed. * See plaque at site for further information
Summersii Flax
William Summers also left his name to the first tricoloured flax (“Summersii) which can be seen in front of the shed, as well as in pots by the swimming pool. He discovered this flax on the nearby Hakakino cliffs in 1888, and using ropes/pulleys along with the assistance of a Brancepeth employee who had experience working on ships, collected and promulgated this flax.
All tricoloured flax available in the world today originated from this plant.
Vegetable Garden & Orchard
Walk up the “Rock Walk” and to your right you will see the location of what was formerly the substantial station vegetable garden and orchard. The original pear trees can still be seen, pruned specifically to resemble the shape of wine goblets, as was the trend in large gardens of the time.
Rose Garden
A common feature of formal homestead gardens of this era, various roses have grown in this garden over time, with the current design including climbing hydrangeas on the walls beside the larger hydrangea garden.
Totara (“Podocarpus Totara”)
This grand old tree was planted to celebrate the birth of Ralph Beetham in 1879. It is favourite resting place of many of the peacocks to be seen roaming the gardens.
Bidwillii (“Bunya Bunya”)
This giant Bunya Bunya or Bunya Pine was gifted to Ruth Beetham (wife of Hugh H Beetham) in the late 1800s by her Uncle John Carne Bidwell, who discovered the variety in the Bunya Valley, Queensland, Australia. He brought some seed back to New Zealand and promulgated it at Pihautea.
Sherwood Oak / Major Oak (“Quercus Robur L”)
This tree was brought from England by the Beetham’s as an acorn. It is a descendant of the oaks of Sherwood Forest and lives to a very great age (up 1,000 years). One of it’s forefathers growing today in Sherwood Forest is claimed to be as old as the English language itself.
Periwinkle (“Vinca Minor”)
At the end of the garden is an excellent example of Periwinkle – which was strategically planted as a firebreak. * See plaque at site for further information
This Eucalyptus tree is around 140 years old. At last measurement of 198 feet (60.5 m) it is reputed to be one of the tallest gums in New Zealand. If you look up you can see some permanent tethers in place used by the arborists who maintain the tree.
Western Red Cedar (“Thuja Plicata”)
Most likely planted by the Beetham Brothers when they arrived, this tree is very large for its variety.
Irish Yew (“Taxus Baccata Fastigata”)
One of the many relics of old England to be found in this garden, this Yew tree was planted by the original Beetham Brothers and could well have been brought with them from England. Due to the whippy nature of the timber it was commonly used, back in the day, for making bows.
Maidenhair Tree (“Ginko Biloba”)
Ginko is one of the oldest living tree varieties which was growing in the time of the dinosaurs. This particular tree is well over 140 years old, and is located in the area which was formerly the fernery.
Gum ( “Eucalyptus Regnans”)
Could this tree be a long lost sibling of the giant gum in the middle of Greytown...? Local legend speaks of Samuel Oates, who walked an epic three day journey over the Rimutaka Hill from Wellington, pushing a wheelbarrow containing young Eucalypti – belonging to his employer who had brought them from Australia. When he got to Greytown, he stopped for a refreshment at the Pub, leaving his wheelbarrow outside. When eventually he exited the pub, three of the plants were gone, one making it’s home at St Luke’s, Greytown and another supposedly reaching this current location… what you are looking at today?
Swamp Cypress or Bald Cypress (“Taxodium Distichum”)
This is a deciduous variety of conifer.
Gardener’s Shed
Moving through the Camelias to the bottom of the garden is the original Gardener’s shed, used by the 5 gardeners, including Head Gardener William Summers, who used it as their tool and potting shed. * See plaque at site for further information
Summersii Flax
William Summers also left his name to the first tricoloured flax (“Summersii) which can be seen in front of the shed, as well as in pots by the swimming pool. He discovered this flax on the nearby Hakakino cliffs in 1888, and using ropes/pulleys along with the assistance of a Brancepeth employee who had experience working on ships, collected and promulgated this flax.
All tricoloured flax available in the world today originated from this plant.
Vegetable Garden & Orchard
Walk up the “Rock Walk” and to your right you will see the location of what was formerly the substantial station vegetable garden and orchard. The original pear trees can still be seen, pruned specifically to resemble the shape of wine goblets, as was the trend in large gardens of the time.
Rose Garden
A common feature of formal homestead gardens of this era, various roses have grown in this garden over time, with the current design including climbing hydrangeas on the walls beside the larger hydrangea garden.
Totara (“Podocarpus Totara”)
This grand old tree was planted to celebrate the birth of Ralph Beetham in 1879. It is favourite resting place of many of the peacocks to be seen roaming the gardens.
Bidwillii (“Bunya Bunya”)
This giant Bunya Bunya or Bunya Pine was gifted to Ruth Beetham (wife of Hugh H Beetham) in the late 1800s by her Uncle John Carne Bidwell, who discovered the variety in the Bunya Valley, Queensland, Australia. He brought some seed back to New Zealand and promulgated it at Pihautea.
Sherwood Oak / Major Oak (“Quercus Robur L”)
This tree was brought from England by the Beetham’s as an acorn. It is a descendant of the oaks of Sherwood Forest and lives to a very great age (up 1,000 years). One of it’s forefathers growing today in Sherwood Forest is claimed to be as old as the English language itself.
Periwinkle (“Vinca Minor”)
At the end of the garden is an excellent example of Periwinkle – which was strategically planted as a firebreak. * See plaque at site for further information