Flaxmere Cottage

Flaxmere Cottage is a place to enjoy at any time of the year. Those who stay in the cottage will have free access to the beautiful and well renowned Flaxmere garden. The garden lies at a latitude of 43 degrees south and 330 meters above sea level.

As much as possible Penny Zino has tried to make Flaxmere garden part of the natural landscape. Stone walls have been built by Penny over many years, & all have survived the earthquakes. The stone walls in the rose garden repeat the lines of the riverbed. Bridge timbers come from the Waitohi road bridge when it was dismantled. Vistas incorporating the peak of Mt The Koa which is part of the Southern alps are a predominant feature, and are what this garden is known for. Water had had a huge part to play in the peace and bird life, which is generated here. The are various areas of planting which lead from one to the next, each area has its own style, and Penny's latest ideas have been incorporating Native NZ grasses with perennials. The importance to of gardens to Penny is to create an empathy with the land and feed the soul.

The South Island in New Zealand falls into the oscillating trade winds of the southern oceans. Temperatures in the summer can range between 25-40 degrees, and very hard frost up to -15 degrees, in the winter. For Penny, the changes of seasons are very important. Plants that give wonderful spring flowers and then magnificent autumn colour are always given top priority. The change of seasons is a huge part of the joy off living, and it is one of the things that Canterbury does best.

Just one hour from Christchurch international airport the surroundings of this magical place offers lots of outdoor opportunities as listed above. The cottage is situated on the road, which is the gateway to the Lake Sumner and National Park. Hanmer Springs with its magnificent hot springs is about 45 minutes’ drive.