Christchurch Botanic Gardens

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New Zealand - Christchurch

Institution Code: CHRC

BGCI Member: Yes

Peacock fountain on the Armstrong lawn of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Peacock fountain on the Armstrong lawn of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens

About the Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Until 1863, the site of the Gardens was largely natural wetlands and sand dunes. Since this time, this has been transformed into a notable inner city garden with one of the finest collections of exotic and indigenous plants in New Zealand. The botanic gardens is noted for numerous large majestic trees, spring flower displays including daffodils, herbaceous collections, its heritage Cuningham conservatory and native plant section. It is 10 minutes from the city centre on foot, has a children's playground, a restaurant and a cafe, and is part of the Heritage Precinct of Christchurch. The gardens encompasses a number of historic sites including connection with Antarctic history, and is used for cultural events. It is adjacent to Hagley Park (164 ha), a major inner city green space. Public entry is free.

Main Address:
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch City Council
P.O. Box 73015
Christchurch
8140 New Zealand

Telephone:
Fax:
URL: www.ccc.govt.nz/parks/BotanicGardens/
Primary Email: ChristchurchBotanicGardens@ccc.govt.nz

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Wolfgang Bopp
    Curator's Name:
    Plant Records Officer's Name: Sue Molloy
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 13
    Educational Staff Number: 1
    Research Staff Number: 1
    Administration Staff Number: 4

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Status
  • Status: Private: No
    Status: Municipal: Yes
    Status: Satellite: Yes
  • Date founded: 1863
  • Physical Data
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 21 Hectares
  • Total Area: 33 Hectares
    Latitude: -43.529931
    Longitude: 172.619869
    Annual Rainfall: 650 mm
    Altitude: 3.00 Metres
    Total area of glasshouses: 590 Metres
  • Additional Locations
  • Satellite Garden Names: Areas of adjacent Hagley Park 11 hectres

Features and Facilities

  • Herbarium: Yes
  • Micropropagation/ Tissue Culture Facilities: No
    Seed Bank: No
    Published Plant Catalogue: No
    Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Shop: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: Yes
    Disabled access: Yes
  • Number of Visitors: 1200000
    Number of Volunteers: 35

Plant Collections

  • Accession Number: 34000
    Cultivation Taxa Num: 8000
  • Special Collections:New Zealand flora, cacti, succulents, tropical and subtropical plants, rock and alpine plants, orchids, trees, tuberous begonias, bulbs, roses including heritage, herbaceous border, hardy monocotyledon trees, conifers temperate trees
  • Invasive Species Monitoring: Yes
    Invasive Species Policy: No
    ABS Policy: No
    Plant Collection Policy: Yes

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: No
    Medicinal Plant Programme: No
    Ex Situ Conservation Programme: No
    Reintroduction Programme: No

Research Programmes

  • Horticulture: Yes
    Urban Environments: Yes

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Permanent Public Displays: Yes
    Special Exhibitions: Yes
    Courses for School Children: Yes
    Courses for University/College Students: No
    Courses for General Public: No
    Education Programme: Yes