In addition to the following - it's usually worth a trip into the local Information Centre to ask about gardens open to the public. And a visit to the Auckland City library will also be helpful: there are books on NZ gardens open to the public. Most of them seem to charge around five dollars, though some are less or free. A few URLs to get you started perhaps: all www. marshwoodgardens.co.nz tramplitewalks.co.nz landsendtexotics.co.nz tauponativeplants.co.nz parnassus.co.nz aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz koanga.org.nz gardens.org.nz heroicgardens.org.nz - based in Ak. Garden tour of LOTS of gardens. Two days - Feb 17-18 projectcrimson.org.nz King Country tour - fax (add all the bits for international) 7 878 4837 Green's Subtropical Gardens - Maungakaramea, Whangarei. Durant Subtropical Garden 40 Trig Rd, Whenuapai, Auckland Waitoka Gardens - north of Taihape 06 388 7822 (ring ahead) Worth a google - Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust Cross Hills, Otari Native Plant Museum, Ayrlies. There are heaps of others - I think the gardens.org.nz link will get you started. If you find you want to particularly follow an interest eg Fuchsias - do ask - and keep asking. If you are members of the Automobile Association, there may be a reciprocal agreement between countries so you can go to branches here and get maps and travel advice. You may also find the regional council offices helpful, and the conservancy or field offices of the Department of Conservation. Hope you enjoy your visit. Oh. A raincoat/umbrella is always prudent, ;-)

Hi. Fushias do well in NZ. They are probably hardier in Auckland and further north than where I am in the South Waikato. Here they die down in winter but are away easily in spring. Roses do very well in NZ, Auckland has beautiful rose gardens and are within easy driving distance wherever in Auckland you are. Blackspot can sometimes be a problem. Most roses seem to bloom from September/October to April. Thats why some rose breeders moved to NZ from the Norhern Hemisphere. Hope you enjoy your trip out. and hope you love living here. Its really a great place to be.

Joan New Zealand's climate is nothing at all like zone 10b ones in the mainland US. The reason why we can grow 10b-type plants is the extraordinary mildness of the winter in most parts of the country. This is truly an oceanic environment. Overall the climates here are most comparable to those in Oregon but with milder winters. Even in Auckland and northwards you will not be anything like as hot as you are in southern California in summer. The temperature here rarely exceeds 27°C (sorry, you are going to have to get used to the metric system that all the rest of the world except the US uses!) and although it can be a bit sticky in late summer, its nothing compared to the god-awful stickiness in the S.E. States. Winter daytime temps in Auckland are generally 10°- 17°C, night temperatures can be anything from 13°C down to close to zero. Down south, in Christchurch and Dunedin, summer temperatures can be similar, though its less sticky, but winters are significantly colder with subzero temperatures and they can get significant snowfalls. House prices have been rising comparatively steeply in Auckland and on scenic parts of the coast of North Island recently but they are still low compared to Californian (and British for that matter) prices. I think the median price for a 3 bedroom house in Auckland is now around NZ$320,000, though I can't tell you where the exchange rate is at the moment, its shifted recently. cheers Peter Richardson Here is a link that might be useful: Some photos of a garden in Auckland earlier this month

Audrey first of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the 4th October, hope that you had a good day. I have a garden for you to visit, west Lynn Garden Society, located at 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn, Waitkere city, Auckland. this garden is run by volunteers, has four and a half acres, and is a peaceful place to visit. I would be only too happy to show you around a few sights if you have the time. I live close to the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland, the bush here is Magnificent, I wouldn't mind showing you my garden either. If you wish to do something, I'll email my details to you, look forward to hearing from you. Regards Raine