Ayrlies Garden

Ayrlies Garden Ayrlies Garden Sculpturered energetically from bare paddock by Beverley McConnell since 1964. Ayrlies takes its name from the McConnell family farm in Scotland.

This 12 acre country garden is managed with much debate and enthusiasm by a team of four gardeners. Ayrlies is part of the N.Z. Gardens Trust and is one of four gardens in the top category - International Significance. An extension of the garden is a 35 acre wetland area with walking tracks.

Please be advised both Ayrlies Garden and the Wetlands will be closed this coming weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd M...
29/04/2026

Please be advised both Ayrlies Garden and the Wetlands will be closed this coming weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026, for Health and Safety Requirements.

Autumn has arrived at Ayrlies.
21/04/2026

Autumn has arrived at Ayrlies.

Mother's Day, a day of celebration honouring the mother or mothering figure of the family, as well as motherhood, matern...
18/04/2026

Mother's Day, a day of celebration honouring the mother or mothering figure of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.

It is celebrated on the 10th of May in Aotearoa.
So get the women who inspire you the most together and join us for a beautiful picnic-style morning tea, then wander the grounds of Ayrlies Garden, including visiting our birds paradise, the Ayrlies Wetlands.

Enjoy a beautiful day of great company and delicious food in one of New Zealand's oldest and most beautiful gardens ❣️

Head to www.ayrlies.co.nz to book your spots and treat mum this Mother's Day 💐

❤️

18/04/2026

How to book your Mother's Day morning tea at Ayrlies! Watch this short video to see where to find the booking form ❣️🌿

Treat mum (or your someone special) to a gorgeous morning tea at Ayrlies Garden.

We can cater to gluten free and vegetarian dietary requirements, so head to www.ayrlies.co.nz to reserve your spots for this wonderful event.

✨🐇Easter weekend closure 🐇✨Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April we will be closed. If you have pressing circumstances to...
24/03/2026

✨🐇Easter weekend closure 🐇✨

Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April we will be closed.

If you have pressing circumstances to visit the garden during these dates, for instance a large overseas group, please contact our lovely office lady, Luana on +64 95308706 or email [email protected] and allow ample time for a response.

✨ Normal visiting hours, outside of this exception ✨

Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. Last entry at 3pm. Saturday by prearrangement, must book your spot by Friday 3pm the day before.

Admission $20pp
Unfortunately no children under 12 or dogs are permitted in the garden.

Happy customers at the Ayrlies Plant Fair today and we are doing it all again tomorrow. See you there.
13/03/2026

Happy customers at the Ayrlies Plant Fair today and we are doing it all again tomorrow. See you there.

Many great people make up the Ayrlies Team. From our Horticulturalists to our Administrators, our Farm Manager and the w...
07/03/2026

Many great people make up the Ayrlies Team. From our Horticulturalists to our Administrators, our Farm Manager and the woman who envisioned a beautiful garden.

Today, March 8th 2026 is International Woman's Day and we want to recognise the women who run the garden on the daily, the women who keep the cogs turning both boots on the ground and behind the scenes and thank them for their dedication and contribution to Ayrlies Garden, we couldn't do this without you!

Photos
1. Bev and daughter Jacqueline, both dedicated wholeheartedly to the garden.
2. Bev w**ding in the Rockery, pesky w**ds!
3. Jacqueline and her daughter Elo, keeping the love of the garden at the heart of everything they do ❣️
4. Abbie, one our Horticulturalists and her mum Diane, the woman who instilled a love of nature and curiosity of the natural world in her.
5. Mei, our newest Horticulturalist and a vital team member ❣️
6. Bev with friends and Lu our Administrator Extraordinare! I don't think you properly realise how vital you are Lu, thank you for everything you do to keep the day to day running like a well oiled machine!

A girl should be exactly two things.. who and what she wants" - Coco Chanel

Happy International Woman's Day!

From the Team here at Ayrlies Garden ❣️

03/03/2026

✨ Don't forget to slow down and watch the bees ✨

Ayrlies Plant Fair 202613th & 14th March!✅ Check the calendar✅ Ring your troop!✅ Find your reusable bags!✅ Head to www.a...
28/02/2026

Ayrlies Plant Fair 2026
13th & 14th March!

✅ Check the calendar
✅ Ring your troop!
✅ Find your reusable bags!
✅ Head to www.ayrlies.co.nz
✅ Book your tickets!
✅ Reward good work with another coffee
☕🌿☀️🌿☕🌿☀️🌿☕🌿☀️🌿☕

What's that? 🤔 You may ask..Well it isn't a new tennis court! And we haven't lawn seeded the pond! It's actually a hydro...
27/02/2026

What's that? 🤔 You may ask..

Well it isn't a new tennis court! And we haven't lawn seeded the pond! It's actually a hydrophobic, aquatic fern called Azolla!

It's been pretty incredible so see it take over the pond in a month! Usually we clear this pond w**d each January, however this year with the crazy growth in the garden and important tree work to be done.. our Master Pond W**d Removalist and Head Gardener Ben was a little late to the party! Not to worry though as it was an excellent educational talking point with visitors and the ducks 🦆 had a quacking time!

Here at Ayrlies we prefer the most biologically friendly methods and so manual removal is the best option! Ben dons the waders and a broad brimmed hat, dusts off the whitebait net and steps into the pond.

Once scooped up, hauled out, piled on the side and drained, we cart this free nitrogen rich mulch off to feed different areas in the garden including the vegetable garden and the banana plantation in the Meadow as well as providing nutrients to a Puriri tree that was being shaded out by a Macrocarpa! It is an excellent, organic, easy to harvest (if your pond is small, just use a rake or small net! Waders optional!), sustainable soil builder.

Swipe through the photos to see the excellent job Ben has done, of course being helped by the rest of the Ayrlies Horticultural team! Big thanks to Alex and Mei also, for carting the Azolla off to it's new homes in the garden. A real team effort!

With a little Azolla left for the duckies to deal with, we hope not to see it back too soon!

P.s the 🍉 colour effect is just from the center of the Azolla being exposed to more sun ☀️

Address

125 Potts Road, Whitford
Auckland
2571

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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