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Graeme in the formal potager explaining the finer points about growing fruiting

Katikati Wildflowers Garden Group visit November 2011

On behalf of the Katikati Wildflowers Garden Group I would like to thank you and Val so much for our visit to your garden last Saturday.  We all agreed it was an absolute highlight to our gardening year in 2011.

The Devonshire Tea, the most informative and interesting talk, and the garden tour were all first class.  We all came away well nourished, enlightened and inspired.  We shall certainly be interested in your programme for next year.

Kind regards

Trish Mines

Katikati Wildflowers

 

Be in quick to book “A GARDEN VISIT WITH A DIFFERENCE” for your Garden Group

Is your garden group looking for somewhere really exciting to visit this coming November/December? Then book a visit to our garden expo on over a six week period from the 1st November – 16th December (only dates for 20 groups).

The day includes :
• Graeme discussing and showing “The very best plant releases from around the world”;
• Graeme’s gardening tips and tricks from 35yrs in the nursery industry – and the opportunity to get answers from an expert to your gardening questions;
• A guided tour of the established Rukuhia Homestead gardens (not open to the general public);
• A delightful Devonshire tea served with china tea cups and saucers from yesteryear;

The day runs from 10am – 12pm with time to purchase plants discussed in “The Very best plant releases from around the World” at the end.  Price is $35 per head with a minimum of 20 people required.

Read more about the day in the attached flyer.

I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE that you will find the visit very inspirational and you will go away really keen to put some of the ideas and plants into your very own garden.

Contact Graeme to book your date today on 027 499 4019 OR email g.burton@farmside.co.nz

The Budding Company Tauranga visit February 2011

HI Graeme and Val
 
Our garden group would like to thank you for the exciting morning we had at Rukuhia.  What you offered was fantastic and everyone was buzzing afterwards with enthusiasm.  Our garden group is based in Tauranga and loved the trip over the Kaimais to the Waikato.  Your talks gave real value to our excursion and Graeme's plant knowledge is very extensive.  The garden settings were inspiring and creative and the scones and coffee were also very welcome.  We would recommend any garden minded group to visit.
 
The Budding Company
Tauranga

Putararu Garden Group visit February 2011

The car load I travelled home with declared it was best ever garden circle outing. Our Club President, Joyce, rang me this morning also echoing what a great day it was.
 
Our Club thoroughly enjoyed every minute visiting the gardens of Rukuhia Homestead. Graeme’s years of experience was evident as he endlessly shared his knowledge and tips and advice. The hospitality was superb, Val’s morning devonshire tea just hit the spot for a great start to our visit.
Looking at the gardens was great! The Learning was even better. Thank you
 
Thank you again. There’s plenty of enthusiasm to come visit again sometime

Marilyn
Waotu-Puketurua Garden Group
Putaruru

Irene's Garden group visit

I was very excited, in anticipation of our group of mature dedicated gardeners visit to Graeme and Val's Rukuhia Homestead Garden.  While we were treated to a sophisicated morning tea, Graeme  gave us a brief on his garden principles.
We were escorted around each 'themed' area observing the appropriate companion plantings, in some cases quite simple but very effective.  The importance of feeding plants was emphasised on many occasions and that was very evident, healthy plants don't need spraying.
It was the clever use of plant material that gave the garden the 'Wow' look.  This was a very informative and enjoyable visit to Graeme  and Val's place of pride.
I know this group left 'buzzing' with enthusiasm and eager to invite Graeme  to their own place for more inspirations.
Well worth a visit.
 
Irene's Garden Group

Horsham Downs Garden Club visit

Hi Graeme
The Horsham Downs Garden Club ladies enjoyed our garden tour and afternoon tea at Rukuhia Homestead garden. We were very impressed with Graeme’s plant knowledge and inspiring tour of his different garden rooms. A few of the best tips we have taken away with us  were to pick the right plant for the right place ,to fertilize and to buy the best possible potting mix. We were surprised at how quickly our enjoyable afternoon passed by and would recommend other garden clubs visiting this garden.
Regards
Raewyn
The secretary
Horsham Downs Garden Club

Tirau Garden Group visit - Nov 2010

Thank you Graeme & Val.  Our group thoroughly enjoyed your garden and talk.

Our Tirau gardening group of 22 ladies visited the Rukuhia Homestead Garden in mid-November.

Graeme led the garden tour and gave us an extensive and knowledgeable talk on plant combinations
for various garden areas. Val then provided mouth-watering scones, cream and jams, plus sandwiches, served with tea and coffee in fine bone china cups (seldom seen today).

During this time, Graeme chatted about the value of manure -- when and where to use it. This was a most informative and interesting visit and enjoyed by all.

Cheers,
Raewyn and Ruth

Fun'n Flowers - Oct 2010

Margaret's review:

Our garden group (Fun 'n Flowers, from Tamahere) thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Rukuhia Homestead. Graeme truly proved to be an experienced, knowledgeable plants man and landscaper.

After a delicious morning tea, our group listened and learned as he guided us around his garden, talking as he went about the various plantings -- unlike other garden visits, where we didn’t get this learning experience. Graeme is able to source excellent plant varieties, which he knows how to use in different garden situations. After all, we all have places around our garden which can be added to or improved upon. Plants can outgrow their location very quickly in the Waikato.

Graeme rekindled our enthusiasm and passion for gardening. We all fully appreciated his time and efforts in accommodating our visit.

Tamahere Garden Club Visit - Nov 2010

On behalf of the Tamahere Garden Club, I would like to thank Graeme & Val Burton for a most enjoyable and informative morning at their inspiring and thought provoking garden. We were greeted with a delicious morning tea, and then Graeme spent two hours showing us around their garden, and sharing his extensive knowledge of plants and the right situations where plants would flourish. Graeme was so willing to answer our questions. We found the morning inspiring. We came away with an added incentive on how to nurture and care for our own gardens. Regards, Carolyn Ingram.

Client Open Day - Nov 2010

(Click to enlarge the image)

Once again in November, Graeme’s landscape clients were treated to a lovely afternoon at the Rukuhia Homestead Gardens. For many, it was their first time visiting the beautiful grounds where Graeme and his wife Val have spent the last six years developing the eight different-themed gardens, set amongst some of the most beautiful, mature trees in the Waikato. The gardens are a showroom for Graeme’s clients, to get ideas and inspiration for their own gardens.