Tickets are now on sale at a special Mother’s Day price for this year’s Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival which includes new gardens to thrill.

One of those newcomers to the festival belongs to Judy and Paul Smyth of Tauriko.

Their 4.5-hectare site boasts many delights including 45 peony plants – not normally associated with the Bay of Plenty – set to be flowering at festival time this November 14-17.

Other eye-catchers include the hornbeam hedge, a knot garden, dove cote, clipped buxus balls, a walled garden area, and a circular herb garden divided up by brick paving.

Blooms also include roses, delphiniums, dahlia, foxgloves and aquilegia, with pears and quince examples of fruiting trees.

Also on show – and available to buy – are Judy’s chicken wire cloches.

Festival director Marc Anderson says festival-goers are always intrigued to see what new offerings the biennial festival presents.

“They won’t be disappointed.

"This year’s festival offers some wonderful new inclusions, in terms of both gardens and art, and the calibre remains high across both,” says Marc.

Tickets to the November 14-17 festival are available at the special Mother’s Day price until May 12.

This is the best of the earlybird price opportunities, with four-day passes normally at $80 now available for $60.

Visit: www.gardenandartfestival.co.nz or Palmers Bethlehem to secure the low-price offer.

Those making the most of the Mother’s Day prices will initially receive a voucher, with the festival pack and actual festival pack available at a later date for redemption.