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Fernery

HORTICULTURAL GEM BELOW GROUND LEVEL

Temperate environment

Pukekura Park's Fernery consists of three glass-topped caverns excavated into a hillside. Being below normal ground level, they create a temperate environment suited to a wide variety of plants.

One house contains more than 100 varieties of New Zealand's native ferns. The other two houses have fern-clad banks complementing the large display of potted plants.

The houses are connected by a viewing gallery. This creates a unique outlook down to the plant display. Wheelchair access is possible on the upper mezzanine of the Fernery via the service gates.

Displays of indoor and outdoor plants from around the world are arranged to complement each other through the use of colour, shape and texture. 

Opening hours

Daily 8am-4pm, except Christmas Day.

Location

The Fenery is located within Pukekura Park near the Rogan and Fillis street entrances.

• Pukekura Park map (223KB PDF)Return to top

Displays

Spring
Cymbidium orchids, azalea, streptocarpus, vireya rhododendrons and spring bulbs.

Summer
Disa orchids, sreptocarpus, scadoxus, tuberous begonias.

Autumn
Cymbidium and masdevallia orchids, fuschia, streptocarpus and vireya rhododendrons.

Winter
Cymbidium, lealia and paphiopedilum orchids, cineraria, azalea and winter bulbs.

History

The proposal to construct the Fernery was first discussed in 1918. Work started in June 1926 and the Fernery was officially opened on 28 January 1928. Public fundraising met the total cost of the project.

The old Begonia House was replaced in 1967 with a new steel structure. Today, New Plymouth District Council manages Pukekura Park's Fernery.
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