Garden Life November
Giulio Sturla, Mapu Test Kitchen
Tuesday 5th 6pm & Wednesday 6th 1pm
Mapu is the creation of Chef Giulio Sturla, celebrated for transforming simple, local ingredients into modern gastronomic masterpieces. His focus on fresh, sustainable, and ethical produce is evident in every dish.
Mini Speaker: Gina Russell (Ngāpuhi)
Organic Fibre & Colour Farmer
View the programme on the Garden Life Page
$5 ($10 Non-Members)
Join our Spooky Workshop
Hey Halloween lovers!
Want to make your own dazzling scary spider for the ultimate trick? Come to our workshop at The Kiosk in the botanic gardens!
Get creative by painting your spider in spooky Halloween colours, adding fun patterns like stripes, zigzags, or polka dots, and decorating it with stick-on gems. Give your creepy crawler some googly eyes—whether it’s 1, 2, or 8! After naming your spider, nest it in cobwebs to take home.
Wednesday 30 & Thursday 31 October 3.30 - 5pm
$20 Book now
Margaret Watling Memorial Demonstration
Kate Williams - The After Hours Stylist
Explore Kate’s beautiful rural property, enjoy afternoon tea, and be inspired by a floral and table styling demonstration in her flower shed—perfect for creative ideas this festive season!
Sunday 3 November 2pm
The Home of Kate Williams
59 Charwell Lane, Prebbleton
$95 ($120 Non-Members) Book now
Botanical Ceramics
Select your Ceramic Workshop: Create a Vase, Plate, or a Botanically Inspired Green Man Tile!
Includes all materials, glazing and kiln firing!
Botanical Plates:Sunday 10 November 2024
Green Man Tile:Sunday 2 March 2025
$65 ($80 Non-Members) Book now
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
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)
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)
Tomatoes – Plant of the Month
October 3, 2024Many 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
August 29, 2024Many 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
Asparagus
July 30, 2024Many 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 If you enjoy asparagus and are lucky enough to have the space in your garden, then why not try a bed of this herbaceous perennial. Once established, the crowns … Read More
What to do in the Garden this month
Keep up to date in your garden with these tips & tasks from Michael Coulter
Monthly Gardening Tips & Tasks – November 2024
October 29, 2024Summer 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
October 3, 2024Spring 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
Monthly Gardening Tips & Tasks – September 2024
August 29, 2024Spring Gardening Tips in Canterbury Has Spring arrived? It certainly seems so, with some of my fruit trees already in bloom (perhaps a bit early for some), daffodils in full flower, and the grass growing steadily. All the signs point to an early start to Spring, but as we know, the weather is fickle and … Read More
Balcony Dwellers
Embark on a journey of sustainable cultivation from the comfort of your balcony!
Get ready to transform your compact living area into a thriving haven of sustainable growth. With a focus on environmentally conscious practices, you'll cultivate your own greens, herbs and fruit, making the most of every cm of your outdoor sanctuary.
Monthly, third Saturday of the Month at Ōtakaro Orchard 10am – 12pm
$20 ($25 Non-Members) Book Now
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.
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@
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.
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.