Garden Life December


Valmai Becker, Phytofarm

Tuesday 3rd 6pm & Wednesday 4th 1pm

Phytofarm serves as a unique resource for learning about medicinal plants, herbal medicine, and natural health practices. With gardens specifically designed for growing medicinal plants, Phytofarm allows visitors to experience herbal medicine production from plant cultivation to remedy preparation.

Mini Speaker: Dr John Clemens AHRIH
In this talk he will introduce you to today’s “special project”: how we can work together to minimise the impact of pest plants in our gardens and neighbourhoods.

View the programme on the Garden Life Page
$5 ($10 Non-Members)

Tea in my Garden


Join us for a delightful morning in nature!

Explore three unique Waitaha gardens, meet the gardeners, and enjoy a guided tour through their beautiful grounds.

December, February & March10.30am – 12pm

Meet at the garden, or carpool with friends

$20 ($30 Non-Members)
Includes garden entry, light morning tea
Book now

Christmas Kokedama


Celebrate the season with nature’s very own baubles

Master the traditional techniques of Japanese Kokedama making, with a festive twist!

Sunday 8 December 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens

$60 ($75 Non-Members)
Includes all materials and light refreshments
Book now

Fresh Floral Wreaths


Create a Christmas themed fresh floral wreath

Learn the art of making a stunning fresh wreath. Perfect for adding a personalised touch to your Christmas door, table or gifting to someone special!

Wednesday 11 December 7-9pm
The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens

$105 ($125 Non-Members)
Includes all materials, light refreshments and a glass of bubbles on arrival
Book now

Grow your own Cut Flowers


Sow an array of flower seeds to brighten your garden

A hands-on workshop with plenty to take home to get you growing! In this easy-going session, self-taught flower-garden enthusiast, Isabelle Weston will introduce you to growing cut flowers from seed.

Thursday 30 January 2025 7-9pm 

$40 ($45 Non-Members)

Book now

Botanical Ceramics


Botanically Inspired Green Man Tile!

Join ceramicist Jane McCulla for a hands-on practical workshop. Jane will take care of the glazing and firing and two weeks later you’ll collect a glazed tile imprinted with botanical patterns and suitable for everyday use. Includes all materials.

Sunday 2 March 2025 10am-12.30pm

$65 ($80 Non-Members) Book now

Pressed Flower Workshops


Discover flower pressing with Debz Eagle

Join renowned flower preservationist and artist Debz Eagle for two inspiring workshops in flower pressing and botanical art.

Pressed Flowers: Sunday 23 March 10am – 12pm
Pressed Flower Art: Sunday 4 May 10am – 1pm

Use the coupon code SAVE$10 to save $10 when booking both Pressed Flower Workshops

$60 ($80 Non-Members) Book now

Cool Season Seeds


Planting your cut flower garden in Autumn

with flower enthusiast Isabelle Weston

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this workshop will guide you through preparing your garden for a stunning early Spring bloom.

Thursday 27 March 7 – 9pm
The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens

$55 ($70 Non-Members) Book now

Botanical Watercolour


Immerse yourself in the art of botanical watercolours

Immerse yourself in the delicate and beautiful world of botanical watercolours under the expert guidance of renowned artist and teacher, Kay Duncan. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned painter, this workshop offers a fantastic opportunity to hone your skills and create stunning botanical artwork.

Sunday 6 April 10am – 1pm
$125 ($155 Non-Members)

Book now

Acers – Plant of the Month

Acers – Plant of the Month

October 31, 2024

Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz   Plant of the Month Acers, commonly known as Japanese Maples are a fantastic addition to any garden for their beauty, versatility, and low maintenance requirements. One of their main attractions is the stunning foliage, … Read More

Tomatoes – Plant of the Month

Tomatoes – Plant of the Month

October 3, 2024

Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz     Plant of the Month Who likes nothing better than to pick and taste their home-grown tomatoes? Full of flavour and so many varieties to choose from. From cherry tomatoes to beef steak; from … Read More

Potatoes

Potatoes

August 29, 2024

Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz     Plant of the Month Purchase certified seed potatoes. They will be free of disease and viruses and more reliable. Pre-sprouting (chitting) seed potatoes is not essential but provides stronger growth. Spread the seed … Read More

When is the Right Time to Harvest Your Fruit?

When is the Right Time to Harvest Your Fruit?

November 21, 2024

When is the right time to harvest? Picking too early or too late can result in underdeveloped or overly ripe fruit. Check out the information below to help you determine when your fruit is ready to be picked. Signs of Ripeness Colour Apples, pears, nectarines – full colour has developed for the variety. Peaches, plums, apricots … Read More

Monthly Gardening Tips & Tasks – November 2024

Monthly Gardening Tips & Tasks – November 2024

October 29, 2024

Spring Gardening Tips in Canterbury As I write, the rain is falling – much-needed to give Spring a proper top-up of moisture in the soil before the demands of Summer arrive. Labour Weekend is the traditional time when the soil and daytime temperatures are warm enough to plant and sow all the plants that need … Read More

Monthly Gardening Tips & Tasks – October 2024

Monthly Gardening Tips & Tasks – October 2024

October 3, 2024

Spring Gardening Tips in Canterbury This Spring is following a typical weather pattern with warm westerlies and brief cold southerlies, which have not yet provided enough rain to meet the annual average. The cold North-Easterlies typical of Christchurch Spring have not been prevalent so far, which may indicate a milder season. Now is the time … Read More

Bot Tots


Bring your little one to the Kiosk for some fun gardening and nature themed activities

Mondays 10am - 11.30am (term time only)

Join Kate Gislason, our new Bot Tots facilitator for a range of events in March.
Drop-in anytime from 10am on Mondays.

$2 koha per preschooler
Click here to find out more and to keep abreast of the ongoing programme.

Floral Design Group


Learn Ikebana with our floral designers

Fruit & Vegetable Group


Love your Edibles? Find out more about our monthly fruit and veg meetings.

Chrysanthemum Group


Learn all about Growing Chrysanthemums with this passionate CHS Member Group

Orchards in Schools


Join the Orchards in Schools whanau in 2024

This important legacy project fosters children's understanding of cultivating their own food and is a source of pride for the Society

We will be establishing new orchards from June and welcome new schools within Christchurch city.

Contact orchards@chsgardens.co.nz for application details.

Annual Membership


Members receive up to 30% off all courses and workshops and some amazing discounts from local retailers. We also have over 40 Garden Clubs and many affiliated groups to join.

Purchase a CHS membership from $60

Hessian Tote Bag


Practical & Stylish

This strong hessian tote bag is perfect for carrying plants or groceries. It features an iconic harakeke frond and was designed to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of Canterbury Horticultural Society. The last few of this limited run are now available at a discounted price.

Was $15 now $8.50
Buy now

Hemp Tea Towel


Commemorative & Beautiful

This beautiful hemp tea towel featuring an iconic manuka frond marked the 160th Anniversary of Canterbury Horticultural Society. The last few of this limited run are now available at a discounted price.

Was $30 now $18
Buy now

Visit


Find us at The Kiosk

Canterbury Horticultural Society is located in The Kiosk in the heart of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (see a map).
Our Summer hours are 10am-4pm 7 days a week.

Check our Facebook page opposite for events and notices about what's coming up, or pop in for a chat or some gardening advice anytime.

Contact us by telephone (03) 366 6937

Or send an email to office@chsgardens.co.nz