For gardens
Winterhome Garden
Richard and Susan MacFarlane's private garden situated high on the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean is on a scale which matches the grandeur of its outlook. Formality is the key note with huge brick walls, espaliered apple trees, a raised lily-pond in the front of the house and dramatic sea views. Eighty rose bushes are in a parterre with a back-drop of delphiniums in season.
Winterhome was first settled in 1939 when the present owner's Canadian grandfather, Commander Sandford Critchley, a retired naval officer, artist and farmer, purchased the property from his father-in-law, Alfred Rittson-Thomas and named the property after his family estate in Ottawa.
With great foresight and an artist's eye, he chose this stunning site for a house thirty metres above sea level with marvellous ocean views and native bush below. Onto this tussock and fern covered paddock a cottage was moved. Heathcote Helmore was then engaged to enhance and plan additions to this modest dwelling.
Shelter was now of prime importance before any serious gardening could begin on this extremely fast-draining, alkaline soil. Pine and macrocarpa belts were planted to the south and west and remain invaluable to this day. Within these confines many climatically suitable specimen trees were planted which include pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), Moreton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla), pepper trees (Schinus molle), many varieties of acacia and ngaio (Myoporum laetum).
As shelter prevailed further planting took place. The eastern side of the house is frost free, so bougainvillea, hibiscus, Strelitza reginae and jacarandas thrive there.
The present owners bought the property in 1975. Their first five years were thwarted by extreme conditions, Cyclone Allison, severe gales and drought. It was in 1980, when Sir Miles Warren designed additions to the house and a new north-facing wing was built, that major garden extensions began. Many hours of bulldozing and tractor work were required to make a principal north axis. A series of three levels of lawn were established with brick retaining walls and box hedging. A tennis court, pavilion and pergola were then completed and the bold planting began. Since then they have built ponds and developed other areas.
Lack of water, especially during the summer months, is their greatest handicap, but with trial and error they have learnt to plant accordingly.