My friend’s New Zealand trip just began. She followed my advice to explore the small French Akaroa town south of Christchurch.
The Giant’s House is one of the key attractions in this picturesque town by the harbour. I missed visiting this special garden last year, and I can only blame the rain for that decision. After all, the joyous garden should be a place for taking pictures. Going there in the rain is no fun.
My friend shared this Giant’s House with me, which was built by artist and horticulturalist Josie Martin. The house was built in 1880 by a bank manager who came from England. When Josie bought the place over 25 years ago, the house needed serious repair and had no garden.
Josie has always enjoyed gardening and is passionate about art and sculpture. She has a dream of sharing her art with the community in a playful and magical environment. Her house in Akaroa therefore has become a blank canvas for her creative work.
She turned fragments of lovely old china buried in the ground into mosaics for the floor of the conservatory and steps. The idea worked well. With the help of local craftsmen, her installations evolved and grew.
The artist called Giant’s House “the happiest garden in the world”, which is full of elaborate, vibrant-coloured sculptures.
As the artist still lives in the Giant’s House and manages her garden, it feels more alive.
Why is it called “The Giant’s House?” It was named by a little girl, looking up at it from the valley below, believing it must be the home of a giant.
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