Since 1989, the Friends have contributed to making the Botanic Gardens a very special place. Their activities and services benefit the day-to-day functions of the Gardens and all funds they raise go towards special projects here.

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens(external link).

Every month, the Friends of the Botanic Gardens organise a speaker for members and the public. 

All talks are $5 for Friends' and CHS members and $10 for the general public, refreshments are provided.

Check the Botanic Gardens events page for upcoming talks.

The friendly and knowledgeable Friends offer free guided tours of some of our most spectacular collections!

Botanic Gardens tours

  • 1.30pm daily from October to April.
  • Meet at The Kiosk - opposite the Armagh Street car park entrance to the Gardens.
  • Tours run for 45 to 60 minutes unless otherwise stated.

Mona Vale tours

  • 1.30pm, seasonal availability.
  • Meet by the Mona Vale Rose Garden car park.
  • Tours run for 90 minutes unless otherwise stated

If you have any queries,or would like to arrange a special interest tour for a group, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com or phone Pat Whitman on 03 384 3475.

Check the walking schedule

Volunteers from the Friends and the Canterbury Horticultural Society are available to share their knowledge about gardening, horticulture and botany at the Kiosk from 10am to 3pm daily.

If you can't make it down to the Gardens, join HortTalk(external link) on Facebook for all your gardening queries.

Teams of volunteers work in the Friends' glasshouse propagating plants. These plants can be purchased from the Plant Sale stand located next to Jenny Gillies' Enchanted Garden exhibition. All plants are $5 - you can either leave cash in the honesty box or drop into the Kiosk to make your purchase. Please bring your own bag.

Look out for the annual spring and autumn plant sales where you can pick up beautifully propagated plants for only $5 each! These sales will be advertised on our events page.

The Friends volunteer their time and skills to help Botanic Gardens Curators in our varied plant collections, as well as supporting education and conservation events.

Their tireless fundraising also provides crucial research and training opportunities for the Gardens and its staff.