Fernglen Native Plant Gardens
Fernglen Gardens are located in Kauri Road, Birkenhead and owned by the Auckland Council. Since the 1990s dedicated volunteers of Fernglen Native Plant Gardens Committee and Trust have been involved in the development and education surrounding the gardens.
Fernglen is devoted to the growing and preservation of New Zealand plants. It aims to educate people of all ages about New Zealand flora and fauna. The gardens consist of approximately 2.47 hectares (9 acres) of Kauri Association bush with roughly 0.2 hectares (half an acre) under cultivation.
Well maintained walking tracks provide an excellent opportunity to observe many interesting species including very old kauri and rimu. Many species are labelled with botanical, Māori and common names.
Of special interest to Fernglen visitors will be:
- The collection of rare sub-alpine plants
- View other rare and endangered plants from throughout the New Zealand botanic region
- An enclosed fernery containing ‘Prince of Wales Feather Fern’
- A bush walk across serene nīkau tree fern gully surrounded by a great variety of native bush
- Birds all year round: hōrirerire (Grey Warbler), kererū (Wood Pigeon), tūī, tauhou (Silvereye)
- Nakonako or Pīpīwharauroa (Shining Cuckoo) in spring/summer
- Kākā in autumn/winter
- Minibeasts galore
- A self-guided tour – take a guide at the kiosk and follow the directions to numbers highlighting interesting plants
- Botanical artists meet once a month
The entrance to Fernglen is located along the extension of Kauri Road at:
36 Kauri Road (between house numbers 34 and 48)
Birkenhead
Auckland
Fernglen is free entry. Fernglen welcomes visitors daily during daylight hours. We ask visitors to Fernglen to please keep dogs on a lead and clean shoes at the kauri-die back stations.