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Last Sunday, we spent half a day amidst flowers at the Hamilton Gardens (at last we made it!) and made the most of the Tulip Festival which was organised there during the weekend. We went along with Jana (our blogger-friend), Cynthia, Kaya, Michael and Shoko, for our first visit to the Hamilton Gardens which covers an area of 58 hectares and which is owned and managed by the Hamilton City Council.
Our guide for that day was the ever good-humoured Jana herself. She led the way pinpointing to us the Rhododendrons, Camellias, Lavenders, etc until we reached the spot where the Tulip show was held. The Hamilton Gardens planted hundreds of colourful and attractive cup shaped flowers which not only attracted bees but people also. Like us, most people were busy posing in front of the tulips or taking pictures of them. It is interesting to note that although tulips are associated with Holland, both the flower and its name originated from the Persian empire. The tulip is a flower indigenous to Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia.
We also toured the Paradise Garden Collection featuring gardens representing some of the most significant garden design traditions like the Japanese Garden, the Chinese Garden, the American Garden, the Italian Garden and the Indian Char Bhag Garden. 
Did you know that the land that is now the Hamilton Gardens was first occupied by the Maori people in the early 1600s? In the 1950’s the land was used by the Parks and Reserves Department to grow plants to supply the city gardens. In 1958, the construction of a tropical display house as the first stage of a botanic garden was proposed. Approval was granted, and the glasshouse was built the following year, with the 116 varieties of tropical plants donated by various local bodies and individuals. This tropical display house and the surrounding 4 acres were named the Hamilton Gardens, and officially opened on 13th July 1960.
Hmmm, we are hoping that the Hamilton Gardens will host many interesting activities next year as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. And we are already planning to go to the Gardens again on the 20th September for its Daffodil show and we’d be delighted to have you with us!
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