'Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart” – Karel Capek.

This quote on Katikati's Daisy Chain Garden Club website epitomises exactly why 53 ladies and one man book one day per month to roam gardens of the Western Bay of Plenty.

Daisy Chain Garden Club members Mary Mathews, Kathy Woolsey and Heather Hayward wearing daisy chain necklaces made by fellow club member Jennifer Rope. Photo: Merle Foster.

But members Kathy Woolsey, Heather Hayward and Mary Mathews says there's much more to it than that.

'I think we all love gardening and it's a social thing too – you get out and meet up with different people,” says Kathy.

'It's especially good if you're new to town and want to make friends,” says Mary.

And Heather – well, she just loves finding unique gardening ideas along the way. 'The gardens are just – (pause) – magnificent. Everyone has something different.”

Some garden owners let visitors take home cuttings, or offer tips on certain plant varieties.

But possibly the club's biggest drawcard is members get an up-close glimpse at some of the region's most hidden gems of the garden-world.

'We came from Auckland to Katikati and driving on State Highway 2 you just can't imagine going up some of those side-roads,” says Kathy.

'Places like Rea Rd and Lund Rd – they have heaps of side-roads – you go up long driveways and through bush or trees into clearings and there's some beautiful properties.

'So that's the highlight – going to places you normally wouldn't get to see.”

Heather says the challenge is actually finding new gardens to view in the district. 'We've been to quite a few now so were always looking for new ones.”

The club meets once-monthly behind Katikati Memorial Hall at 1pm 'and disperse from there”.

A garden is visited – members gift a gold coin donation to property owners for the privilege – followed by afternoon tea at a nearby café or eatery. 'That's when the chit chat begins,” laughs Mary.

And in winter demonstrations or inside activities are planned to combat adverse weather.

Kathy says members also learn along the way.'It's just like going to the Ellerslie Flower Show because you walk and see something and think ‘Oh, that's just what I'd like to do in my garden'.

'So you do get ideas and can ask the name of a plant and go and buy it – because people have different plants in their gardens.”

The Daisy Chain Garden Club is trying to attract more members with a new frequently updated website, thanks to Heather's husband Russell, and has dropped its annual subscription fee, making it free to join.

'Members only pay if the place we go to has an entry fee.”

To find out more, search ‘Daisy Chain Garden Club Katikati' on Google.