A Garden Full of Stories

The name Remuera Gardens wasn’t chosen by chance. It honours the one feature that has defined us since the very beginning: our spectacular gardens. Nearly 40 years ago, when the village was founded, the vision was clear — to create a community surrounded by nature, beauty, and tranquillity. Those foundations grew into what we cherish today: eight acres of cottage and tropical gardens, home to a wonderfully eclectic mix of native and exotic species.

Many of the original trees and plants were rescued from a garden centre in Remuera when it closed down, and over the decades the gardens have continued to flourish through stories deeply connected to the local area.

One of our dedicated gardeners, Aaron Sweden, describes it best:

"The gardens have so many stories to tell. Some plants have been propagated from existing specimens, others donated by residents who feel just as much a part of these gardens as we do. And then there are the fun stories — like the palm trees that came from the Auckland Zoo and had to be transported and craned onto the site. That was a day to remember!"

Our community is centrally located in Remuera — close to shops, cafés, medical centres, and parks such as the Waiatarua Wetland Reserve — yet quietly tucked away at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac. This unique combination of convenience and tranquillity is what makes Remuera Gardens feel both connected and secluded, vibrant and serene.

After four decades of refining retirement living, Real Living has created its finest homes yet. The Avenue Apartments are the newest addition to Remuera Gardens — 61 modern, light-filled residences designed for effortless living, with generous floorplans (up to 163 sqm), beautiful interiors, and enviable garden outlooks.

For more than a decade, our dedicated gardener Aaron Sweden has been meticulously cataloguing every plant in the village — a true labour of love that has grown into a living botanical guide for residents, complete with labels so everyone can learn each species along the way. His work often resembles botanical detective work, drawing on books, encyclopaedias, online resources, and even the expertise of the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

With more than 150 varieties of camellias and 150 varieties of roses — including favourites like Compassion, Iceberg, Climbing Ballerina, Crème de la Crème, and Waimarie — there is always something new to discover. One of the most loved spots is the Rose Garden, a beautiful place to pause, chat with neighbours, share the latest gossip from the grandchildren, or simply stop and smell the roses.

Aaron, together with Pare and Malu, our wonderful gardening team, are often stopped by residents who thank them for their hard work — and for the daily beauty and comfort these gardens bring to their lives. In Aaron’s words:

"Why are the gardens so special? We think it’s because they’re not uniform or overly manicured. They’re a little wild in places, but still incredibly beautiful, with a maturity that comes from being here a long time and being lovingly cared for. There are so many different plants in one space, and they all just seem to merge together to create a stunning display. I’d say the gardens are truly unique."

Aaron is very proud of the incredible variety of plants and flowers that come from all over the world. With such a diverse collection of species from across continents, residents can “travel the globe” without ever leaving the village.

We have exotic specimens ranging from South America to Europe — like Helleborus argutifolius, originally from the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. And from Brazil, we have the captivating Neomarica caerulea (Walking Iris), an unusual member of the iris family whose striking blooms appear in spring and never fail to take our breath away.

To honour the joy our gardens bring to residents and the community, we’re hosting a special Garden & Apartment Tours event:

Thursday 5 December

12:30pm – 3:00pm

Join us for guided tours of the Avenue Apartments and our gardens, and meet our VIP guest, Ruud Kleinpaste — “The Bug Man.”

Secure your spot for this free event by RSVPing below, or contact Fiona on (027) 436 5442 or fiona.roberts@realliving.co.nz.

You can also go to https://remueragardens.co.nz/ to find out more.