Bason Botanic Gardens

“Through the trouble of this world there still runs a thin stream of serenity for those who seek it.”

/ Su Leslie / 30 Comments
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Entrance to cottage garden at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. The title of this post repeats the words on the sculpture. Image; Su Leslie 2019

I’m still trawling the archive for Friday Flowers posts, and today we are returning to one of my favourite places — Bason Botanic Gardens in Whanganui, NZ.

I’ve written about Bason Gardens before — and used the quote in a post title — but Stanley Bason’s words resonate with me now as much as ever.

“Through the trouble of this world there still runs a thin stream of serenity for those who seek it.” — Stanley Bason (1900-1976: farmer, gardener, philanthropist and visionary)

Today’s photos were taken last December, when the Big T and I visited Whanganui for an early Christmas with my dad and step-mother. T had never been to Bason Gardens before and I felt real pleasure in introducing him to this special place. It helped that we visited late in the day and practically had the 25 hectare park to ourselves.

That we got caught in a massive downpour was a bit of a bummer, but great for the photos.

Roses, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Roses, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Rosebud, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Views from cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Views from cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Roses, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Tropical house, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Dianthus, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Dianthus, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

#fridayflowers

“… a thin stream of serenity”

/ Su Leslie / 64 Comments
Corten steel and glass entrance way to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Entrance to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Life is anything but tranquil at the moment, and I need a gentle reminder to slow down, worry less and notice more the beauty around me.

In Whanganui a couple of weeks ago I saw this rather imposing structure at the Bason Botanic Gardens. The words on it read:

“Through the trouble of this world there still runs a thin stream of serenity for those who seek it.” — Stanley Bason

In 1966, Stanley Bason gifted his home and farm of 25 hectares to the city of Whanganui, for the “creation of a botanical reserve.” He firmly believed that as population increased and urbanisation spread, people would need beautiful, open spaces in which to relax and escape the pressures of everyday life.

His generosity and foresight have provided the people of Whanganui, and visitors, with just that.

Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
View from Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Detail, entrance to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
View from Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
View from Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018