Marlborough Garden of national significance for sale

A garden venue that’s a favourite with Marlborough brides and their photographers is up for sale offering green-thumbed aficionados the opportunity to secure one of the region’s most iconic gardens - and one of national significance.

Woodend Gardens in Rowley Crescent just five minutes from Blenheim township was transformed from bare paddocks 18 years ago into the haven it is today thanks to some talented, energetic and visionary gardeners – the current owners Graeme and Sue Wallace among them.

The Wallaces both have rural backgrounds so when they spotted Woodend gardens for sale several years ago, they both knew that this was the challenge they needed and it was a way for them to pool their collective talents and work together.

Having spent considerable time last year renovating the home and restyling many parts of the garden, Sue and Graeme are now keen to move on to another adventure – this time involving a campervan and a chance to enjoy looking at other people’s gardens while hanging up their secateurs for awhile. Graeme will also be indulging his love of flying and Sue will be caring for her elderly parents so life will continue to be busy for this industrious couple.

Glenn Dick, John Hoare and Tim Crawford of Bayleys Marlborough are marketing Woodend Gardens and say the 9.038 hectare property offers a stylish lifestyle and income opportunity.

“The Wallaces have put so much of themselves into Woodend and their hard work has really enhanced the property. The foundation is now perfect for someone with energy and passion to capitalise on this and either take the marketing of the gardens as a public draw card to another level, or to simply enjoy the amazing home and setting for themselves,” says Mr Dick.

Blue agapanthus line the driveway to this multi-roomed garden with sweeping lawns, wisteria walks and intimate rhododendron dells all within a framework of established specimen trees. Textural under plantings and clever use of colour makes this fragrant garden an English-inspired setting with topiaries, box hedging and garden ornamentation completing the theme.

Wedding photographers rave about the amazing light that this garden enjoys and the wedding lawn with its feature fountain and picturesque plantings has been the backdrop to many nuptials and the resulting images take pride of place in numerous albums.

But it’s not all flower and shrubs at Woodend. In 2008, Graeme planted 3.6 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc grapes and as part of the sale of Woodend, he is prepared to enter into a supply agreement to buy the grapes for three years from the 2011 harvest offering terms more favourable than the district average and with an option to extend the arrangement upon mutual agreement.

“In Marlborough – as in most other wine-growing areas of New Zealand – having a secure contract in place to buy grapes is a real bonus as it gives some certainty and allows for some degree of income planning,” says Mr Dick.

“This arrangement would naturally be dependent upon the current owners’ of Woodend being fully satisfied with the final sale price of the property - but it is something I look forward to discussing with potential buyers.”

The lifestyle opportunities offered up by Woodend include grazing land for livestock or horses with various multi-purpose sheds – including a three-bay high stud shed – able to be adapted to a number of uses.

“For some people, the opportunity to own the ultimate lifestyle block is very tempting. They may not wish to open the gardens to the public on a regular basis – or even at all – and if this is the case then they will certainly have a property that is the envy of many!” says Mr Dick.

Over the years, Woodend Gardens has been open to the public for garden tours, as a setting for garden parties and special birthday celebrations, and as a wedding venue. With the recent refurbishing and renovation of the home, there is the potential for a bed and breakfast or home stay operation and the tourism aspect of the property has only been lightly tapped.

“Marlborough is definitely a growing visitor destination with the vineyards and wider wine industry putting the region on the map. Coupled with this, gardening seems to be enjoying a resurgence throughout New Zealand with television channels programming numerous design and landscaping shows and garden festivals gaining in popularity,” says Mr Dick.

“Woodend Gardens can piggy-back on this. If someone has aspirations to transform their hobby and love of gardening into a business that enables them to connect with a like-minded public, then this property is definitely one to set them on that path.”

The four-five bedroom home has casual and formal living spaces, a stylish kitchen with Bosch appliances, a purpose-built spa room and a sheltered outdoor entertaining area positioned to take advantage of Marlborough’s enviable sunshine hours and the vistas that the gardens offer.

Woodend Gardens is being marketed with a deadline sale date of 25 February and all viewings are by appointment.