Gardening With Gordon

There’s never been a better time for people to find out more about the delights of the
Queenstown Gardens, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey
said.

The gardens are looking particularly lush at the moment and with consultation about the draft
gardens management plan underway, Mr Bailey is taking the opportunity to show people a
different side of the much loved recreational area with a series of lunch-time gardening tours.

“I’ll be taking groups for half hour guided tours around the gardens, looking at the highlights
of this season’s planting as well as some hidden treasures that people might not normally
notice,” he said.

“The tours will concentrate on the plants, especially what’s currently in or about to bloom like
rhododendrons, roses and peonies. I’ll also be talking a bit about plant history and giving tips
on growing.”

Mr Bailey said the tours are a chance to celebrate the handiwork of the hardworking council
horticulture team as well as giving the public a closer look at the gardens before submissions
on the management plan for the reserve close on the 26 November.

“It’s an opportunity, not just for keen gardeners but for everyone to come along and
take a closer look at what we do, what we plant and the reasons behind it,” said Mr
Bailey. “Hopefully everyone will walk away with some useful information and some new
favourite places in the gardens.”

The “Gardening with Gordon” tours will take place from 12pm-12.30 on Tuesday 2
November, 2010 and Thursday 4 November, 2010. Meet at the band rotunda in the
Queenstown Gardens five minutes before the tour start time. Bookings are not required.