Hamilton Gardens’ Chickens Put to Work

18 DECEMBER 2014

Eggs laid by Hamilton Gardens’ two resident chickens are being used for an exclusive range of products launched in the new Gardens’ shop.

The newly refurbished store now sells products inspired by the Gardens – with lemon curd blended with eggs from chickens Ethel and Susan in the Sustainable Backyard, and marmalade from Seville oranges collected by the gardeners in the Italian Renaissance Garden.

“It doesn’t get much closer from source to table,” Hamilton Gardens Business Development Manager Amanda Graham says.

“Not only did we collect the eggs and oranges, they were delivered on the day to our manufacturer.”

The new shop offers visitors an opportunity to explore the tastes, smells and sights of the Gardens. Other products include lavender candles inspired by the English Flower Garden and “Dragon’s Blood” soap inspired by the soon to be unveiled Tudor Garden; more products will be introduced next year. Plants grown in the Garden are available for sale in the store.

Local suppliers have been used for the exclusive product. The Gardens’ team worked closely with Te Kowhai company Wild Country to create the conserves.

“It was important for us to have a range of local products,” Ms Graham says. “We think it’s special that visitors can take home a little ‘taste’ of Hamilton Gardens to share with their families.”

The shop initiative follows the recent announcement of bee hives being placed within three iconic Hamilton destinations – Taitua Arboretum, Hamilton Zoo and Hamilton Gardens. All going well, honey from the hives will be available from Hamilton Gardens Shop from March 2015 onwards.

ENDS

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