Eyebright
Eyebright is a glorious country store on the Waimea Plains a few minutes drive from Richmond. Stepping from the garden into the shop is to enter a wonderland of silk flowers, dried flowers, gourmet delights, home wares, gifts, jewellery, and fibre. Allow yourself plenty of time.
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The Eyebright Country Store is best known for its Christmas Shop. For two and half months prior to Christmas most of the shop is given over to a spectacular Christmas display.
That is also when the Garden is at its fresh new best. Roses love our fertile soil, temperate climate and ample water. Other flowers and trees play supporting roles to the roses, but later when the roses rest between flushes others assume centre stage.
Dried flowers hang from the ceiling. That is how We started over thirty years ago. We are New Zealand’s biggest dried flower producer.
Jewellery is also important. Eyebright Jewellery is innovative, ever changing, and affordable. Eyebright jewellery like many of our categories has a strong New Zealand showing.
No matter what the time of year, in the shop you can enjoy a floral feast. Eyebright has one of the biggest range of high quality silk flowers you will find. They are colour co-ordinated to assist your choosing, and supported by knowledgeable staff who are ready to help.
The Eyebright property is a working farm growing Christmas Trees and a host of floral and edible crops. Most of the local sunflowers supplied to florists are grown at Eyebright.
The Woolshed is the has a huge range of yarns, both famous brands, homespun and raw fleece. Also there is a fantastic range of patterns, beautifully catalogue for ease of purchasing.
There's also haberdashery including button.
You will be served by knowledgeable staff.
You are welcome to taste our range of vinaigrettes, dressings and sauces from Prenzel, Zarbo and Pepler. Be sure also to enjoy a free taste of Prenzel Lemon Honey and Ginger. It's a super health tonic and so delicious.
The man at the helm of Eyebright is Peter Owen. His background is in horticulture, but he is a prolific writer, each month producing the Eyebright newsletter, which contains articles on everything from Barack Obama to growing a better Christmas tree. Click here for a good read.
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Wedelton Guinea Pig Village
At the foot of the Eyebright Garden is Wendelton Guinea Pig Village. Life is very good for the guinea pigs at Wendelton, with their verdant pasture, lovely houses, and lots of nice people visiting them. They so look forward to your arrival that they rush out to greet you. Peter has written a book about the guinea pigs at Wendelton. It looks like a kids book, but is more likely to tickle the mirth of adults with a sardonic sense of humour. It’s called ‘Too Many Guinea Pigs’. Ask for it at the shop.
Above all Eyebright is a happy place.
People visit for the shear enjoyment of it.
We hope you will too.
