Garden tour of the Hamilton Area

Went on a weekend tour of private and public gardens of the Hamilton area.  Apart from four private gardens visited the Hamilton gardens overlooking in part the Waikato River , two garden centres, one farmers' market. Phew! The tour was for members of a garden club which good friend Frances belongs to and there were a couple of seats left on the bus for us.  Most of the private gardens were the pride and joy of women on farms.  

I particularly liked the roses and irises which were in full bloom.  

The Hamilton Gardens were impressive and we picked the Italian Garden to spend a bit of quiet time in rather than try and cram too much in to the hour or two we were there.

Coming upon the Waikato on entering this garden room was a real thrill.  I have added these tranquil pictures to my store of memories I recall if having a wakeful spell during the night and I am soon back to sleep.

The farmers market was a chance to stock up on local goodies - apricot and raspberry jam, fig and walnut bread, asparagus, white turnips and statice.

At the garden centres there was more temptation but I restrained myself and just bought a bunch of sweet-smelling sweet peas and basil plants for the herb garden.