Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful oasis with me.

It exceeded my expectations and the high tea was exquisite. You have inspired me to get on with my life projects!

Anne and Ron a quick thank you for providing Somerfield Garden members with such a wonderful visit to your amazing garden (the tulip tree was a very special topic of interest and discussion) and also for the lovely home prepared lunch.  You are getting a well deserved reputation for the quality of your delightful food and I have to confess that personally I ate far too much as I could not resist a second visit to the table.

"Jon and Shirley. Thank you for your talk, lunch and beautiful garden! We have all enjoyed this visit very much. Ladies are still commenting on their lovely day at your place! "

I attended several of Val's garden tours over the summer months.

Through a shared love of gardens and beauty pageants Val and I have worked together for years. I serve tea and coffèe at many of her garden tours and love how people embrace and linger in this beautiful space. For anyone wanting to embrace a city space, I cannot recommend this paradise of roses highly enough.

Incredible use of a medium-sized section giving the impression it is so much larger. The front is full of beautiful flowers and the back has an abundance of fruit trees and vegetables together with an all-weather entertainment area. There are endless surprises with garden art, statues, mirrors and an incredible Tillandsia 'tree' made from driftwood with the plants secured on. Was also very impressed with the well-hidden water tanks. Lots of ideas to take away for my own small section.

"Thank you very much for hosting the Matangi Garden Club yesterday in your gorgeous garden. Members loved the calm soothing environment. the space and the beautiful plantings. From the number of photos taken, you've inspired quite a few people with good ideas. You turned on a perfect day as well."

It’s not until you tour a garden such as this that you realise how much more you can do with your own garden. Full of sculptures, art work, mirrors and flowers. There was so much to see that it was impossible to take it all in on the first round. Mary and Mark have made use of every inch of their garden. It’s a small garden and you really need at least an hour to take it all in. You will leave inspired with so many ideas. Mary answered all our questions and was very friendly and informative. Thoroughly recommend touring this garden

I visited Woodside for a friend's wedding and was blown away by the beautiful gardens. I've lived in Hamilton for many years and can't believe I've never seen this place before. Les, the owner, gardener, host and self-proclaimed comedian hehe... was so accommodating and friendly. We loved the place so much that my fiancé and I will be back here next year to have our wedding too!

Thanks for having us!

I just wanted to thank you for allowing my twin sister and me to visit your amazing property last week. What an absolute inspiration and delight you are Judy. You’ve kept that dream alive after your dear husband passed and I think it’s keeping you going!! We so enjoyed the experience, swapping our funny gardening stories and seeing your beautiful garden. The photos don’t do it justice but I created a post on my own page, The Uralla Garden. Hope you don’t mind.  I used some of the photos from your website but captioned them as such.
Hope you are well and once again thank you Judy

Our visit to Rapaura Watergardens was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into another world — a peaceful sanctuary where nature is not just preserved, but truly honoured.
The gardens are crafted with incredible care and intention. Every turn of the path reveals something beautiful: tranquil waterfalls, crystal-clear ponds, lush native plants, and perfectly placed resting spots that invite you to slow down and simply breathe. You can feel the love and vision that went into creating this place. It’s not just a walk — it’s an experience that reconnects you with stillness.
What stood out the most was the atmosphere. There is a deep sense of calm here, almost meditative. The sound of flowing water, the birds, and the surrounding forest create a natural symphony that grounds you instantly. It’s the kind of place where time disappears and you feel fully present.
The staff were warm and welcoming, and everything is maintained to the highest standards