The main entry to this section of the gardens is through the large Homestead Entrance Archway

The sheltered Homestead Garden, a popular wedding spot, features mixed borders in the English garden style. The Hot Border to the left as you enter is a riot of bold colours in summer, and further on, on a clear day, the Homestead fence ‘window’ frames Mt Taranaki in the distance. This leads on to the extensive Succulent Garden, a specialty of our late Patron Vonnie Cave. The Succulent Garden is a wonderful place to sit and view the lakeside areas below. Stanley Bason’s favourite flower, Haemanthus coccineus, (Blood Lily or Elephant Ear) can also be seen in this part of garden. Paths lead to the Herb Garden featuring medicinal, culinary and scented herbs. The 1900s Bason Homestead, with little alteration, has until recently been in use as a home for the custodian and their family. Around the old homestead are a mix of Roses (in reference to Blanche’s 150 plus roses) and Dowdeswell Delphiniums, bred right here in Whanganui. The Wisteria walk (to the left as you enter) is planted in shades of blue and yellow. Beyond this is a shady garden which illustrates the kinds of plants that can survive in dry shade, including Hydrangeas, Hellebore orientalis (Winter Rose) and Farfugium japonicum (Leopard Plant).

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