One of New Zealand’s most significant landscape gardens with a unique emphasis on native flora and fauna has been placed on the market for sale, allowing purchasers the opportunity to continue the owner’s legacy or pursue their own personal or commercial interests.

Spread over 4.9ha, with 3.5ha (more or less) of lush plantings, Broadfield Garden at 250 Selwyn Road is purely a world-class garden just 20 minutes from central Christchurch, midway between Christchurch, Rolleston and Lincoln in a lifestyle enclave.

“Recognised by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a six star ‘Garden of International Significance’, the grounds have achieved the highest presentation levels and sit amongst the country’s most beautifully designed and delivered outdoor spaces,” says Bayleys salesperson Chris Jones.

“A regular feature in gardeners’ digests, with 20 carefully curated garden plots, including pristine lawn, a beech forest, rose garden, daffodil walk, berry house and kauri forest, the 30 year old property is in a league all of its own.

“It’s a true garden of Antipodean Eden, with visionary owner David Hobbs having meticulously planned the botanic preferences to reflect a devotion to native species and New Zealand-bred varieties of exotics.

“The result is a one-of-a-kind property which has been beautifully maintained to offer an abundance of opportunity, whether a new owner wishes to investigate commercial use options, expansion as a private lifestyle property, or continue Mr Hobbs’ legacy as a landmark garden open for visitation.”

Mr Jones is marketing the property for sale by auction, taking place on Thursday 7th December 2023 (unless sold prior) at Bayleys House, 3 Deans Avenue, Addington in Christchurch.

Initially intended as a retirement project that flourished from a humble bare paddock, Mr Hobbs engaged landscape architect Robert Watson to support a plan for the property with distinct areas of unique themes.

“A portion of the site’s western flank has been reserved as a future build site for a luxurious home, with a cricket oval and totara hedge immediately infront, followed by a reflective view of established treeline in a manmade canal and circular sedge pond.”

At the northern tip of the property, a beech forest and a spectacular array of trees with their tall, dense canopy are adjacent to ‘Hobbs’ Hill’ – a hillock which provides a stunning point of elevation from which to take in the landscape.

“A kauri forest and rose garden deliver extraordinary points of interest, with roses coming into their own during the third week of November – a very special treat for visitors eager to view the property for themselves,” Mr Jones says.

Despite a serene appearance, the property has been carefully cultivated to reflect contemporary times, with Mr Hobbs explaining plantings have been chosen for longevity and often their evergreen nature.

He says the garden comes alive throughout the seasons, with pops of colour from New Zealand-raised varieties of crab apple, cherry, ash, and maple trees. In addition to daffodils, tree peonies, magnolias, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and, of course, the flourishing birdlife.

“Monarch and admiral butterflies soar gracefully between garden precincts, while the native cohort of kauri, totara, lancewood and kowhai have attracted about 20 bird species, including a resident population of silvereyes, fantails and grey warblers.”

Serving as the backdrop for various community events, including the annual Ellesmere Spring Fling on 10 occasions, the property has been leant for event use, with the new owner potentially finding value in its utilisation as a commercial space for weddings and private events.

“Equally, we expect a serious gardener to fall in love with the grounds and resolve to add a dwelling so they can live amongst this award-winning botanical oasis.’

Click here for more information on the listing.