A Snap Shot of the Royal Gardens

The New Zealand Rhododendron Association is thrilled to bring John Anderson VMM to New Zealand as keynote speaker at the NZRA 2026 Rhododendron Festival in Christchurch and Selwyn.

Following the conclusion of the Festival John will present a public talk in Christchurch.

John is Keeper of the Gardens, Windsor Great Park, England and responsible for several important historic and garden landscapes in Windsor Great Park. The 35- acre Savill Garden, the 250-acre Valley Gardens, the 40-acre Chapel Wood Arboretum and His Majesty’s 35-acre Private Garden at Frogmore.

John is one of the most respected gardeners and horticulturalists in Britain today.

He has studied and worked at the National Botanic Gardens – Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland and at the Royal Botanic Gardens – Kew Wakehurst Place, England and in previous roles he has been: Head Gardener at Mount Usher Gardens in Ireland, at Inverewe Gardens, Scotland and at Exbury Gardens, the 250-acre Rhododendron Garden created by the Rothschild family. He has lectured worldwide and has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society with numerous awards including the prestigious RHS Veitch Memorial Medal.