King of the spades | Auckland Lifestyle News | Health, Fashion, Food and Wine in Auckland

The great thing about garden tours, Sharu Delilkan learns, is that they bring green-thumbed people together.

Graeme Ross's garden proves that the Heroic Gardens Festival is inspiring. 

"My style of garden, which I like to call 'Pasifika', a combination of Pacific Island plants, was definitely the outcome of research done at the numerous gardens I've visited over the years," says Graeme.

The two-day Auckland festival showcases the creativity and hard work of gay and lesbian gardeners, this year opening 32 private gardens to the public's gaze.

In its 14-year history, the festival has raised more than $460,000 for good causes. Auckland's eight hospices will again benefit. Last year, they received $30,000.

The gardens are spread from Whangaparaoa to Waiuku and from Piha to Orakei, with clusters on the North Shore and in central Auckland.

When Ross moved into his Beach Haven home six years ago  there was no real garden to speak of. "It was basically a blank canvas, which made it easier to plan what I wanted to do."

Inside a year, Ross had opened his gate to the public. This year will be his fifth on the garden tour map. His outdoor "room", which he says is effectively his fifth living space, is his pride and joy. "I want people to be drawn in as soon as they come through the gate. That's why it's great that I've been able to create different levels, due to the sloping character of the outdoor space."

Besides allowing people to appreciate his slice of paradise, Ross says the best part of opening his garden to the public is  that by doing so, he meets many like-minded people.

Heroic Gardens Festival, throughout the Auckland region, Mar 6 & 7, 10am-6pm. Tickets (valid for both days): see www.heroicgardens.org.nz