The Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival is a true celebration of creativity, community, and a shared love for gardening.
Featuring a diverse range of real gardens – each with its own charm – the festival invites people from all walks of life to explore and be inspired.
What makes this event so special isn’t just the gardens – it’s the people behind them. The hosts are warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about sharing their green spaces. As visitors wander through each garden, they’re met with friendly smiles, helpful tips, and often a few lovely stories along the way.
As Festival Organiser Anne Clough warmly shares:
“The passion and enthusiasm our gardeners bring, combined with the beautiful creativity in their gardens, is what truly makes this festival shine.”
Like the plants themselves, the festival continues to grow and change. Each year brings new features and fresh ideas, offering surprises for long-time visitors and newcomers alike.
We are thrilled to welcome eight new and returning gardens, along with exciting Places of Interest, to this year’s festival, many beautifully rejuvenated to spark fresh ideas and delight visitors. Impressively, two dedicated past garden owners have bought new properties and poured their hearts into creating stunning gardens from scratch.
Organiser Anne Clough reflects,
“Creating a garden from scratch takes real vision and courage – what they’ve achieved so far is nothing short of inspiring.”
Their creativity adds vibrant new energy to the festival!
This year, visitors can explore 40 festival listings, including unique private gardens full of character and charm. But there’s more – artisan showcases of handcrafted jewellery, sculptures, and pottery, historic heritage sites, and even a nostalgic ride along a vintage railway line await.
At its heart, the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival is about celebrating the love of gardening, sharing ideas, and encouraging everyone – no matter their skill level – to get involved. Whether you’re looking for practical tips or simply a peaceful afternoon surrounded by beauty, there’s something for everyone here.
