An enlightening experience

On the road north to Waihi is an enchanting garden specialising in the mysterious and romantic waterlily. Sandra Simpson took a look around.
There's a reason why water lilies and lotus are used as symbols of enlightenment in so many cultures, Sam Gamble says.
"They grow from mud into the light and produce an exquisite flower."
Sam and his partner, Olivia Thorn, have owned Waihi Waterlily Gardens for more than six years, in partnership with Sam's mother Alix Gamble and her partner Bevan McDuff of Whakamarama, and his love of the 6ha garden hasn't diminished a jot.
The garden, which began to be developed 70 years ago by retired farmers Tom and Mabel Gordon, has been open to the public for the best part of 60 years. But Sam and Olivia closed the property for three years after they bought it, working with Alix and Bevan to clear, clean and tidy the site, and add two new accommodation cottages.
"The 0.8ha lake is still a work in progress," Sam says with a laugh, "but when we took it over you could walk across it without getting your feet wet.
"The whole thing has been a pretty full-on project, but now we're getting it how we want it."
Twenty stream-fed ponds, including the lake, are home to 70 varieties of water lily - including hardy and tropical types - and lotus plants.
"We knew zilch about water lilies when we took the place on," Sam says. "But we've had lots of physical interaction - we've had hundreds of thousands of rhizomes pass through our hands."
The couple offer bare-rooted plants for sale, but Sam says even experienced gardeners feel anxious about trying water lilies.
"It's amazing what a psychological obstacle the water is," he says.
"People think you've got to be specially set up, but the hardy varieties are really hardy and you can grow them in tubs, planters and wine barrels - water lilies are just like pot plants except there is a layer of water between you and the soil."
He's more or less managing the garden on his own now as Olivia has become a full-time mum to their 1-year-old daughter Priya.
Sam also prepares all the food in the cafe (his custard squares are alone worth the trip) so he appreciates the positive feedback from visitors.
"When someone comes back from a walk and says it's the most beautiful garden in the world, it makes it all worthwhile," he says.
"There's a real romanticism about water lilies - we feel it, too."
NEED TO KNOW
What: Waihi Waterlily Gardens.
Where: 441 Pukekauri Rd (take the Old Tauranga Rd from the north end of Athenree Gorge and follow the signs, or from Victoria St in Waihi).
When: Open daily, 10am-4pm,
Cost: Admission charge; groups welcome.
For more information: See www.waterlily.co.nz or ph (07) 863-8267.