The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The gardens sprawl over an area of 21 hectares and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens have a variety of collections of exotic and local plants of New Zealand, several conservatories, a nursery, playground and Climatological Station. History 1863 English oak planted for Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark's marriage. 1882 International Industrial Exhibition held in South Hagley Park. Acclimatisation Gardens formally opened to the public. 1901 Magnetic Observatory complex constructed in the domain. It is used by explorers Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton to calibrate their compasses before heading to Antarctica. 1910 First domain fête held, attracting a crowd of between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors. First stage of James Young's rose garden laid out. 1911 Peacock Fountain originally erected near where the McDougall Art Gallery now stands. 1914 Townend House conservatory opened. 1923 Winter Garden conservatory (later Cuningham House) opened. 1926 Bandsmen's Memorial Rotunda officially opened 1932 Robert McDougall Art Gallery opened 1938 Cockayne Memorial Garden opened. 1955 Fern House opened. 1960 Garrick House conservatory opened. 1967 Foweraker House conservatory opened. 1990 Kate Sheppard Memorial Walk created. 1996 Peacock Fountain restored after going into storage in 1949. 2006 Peace Bell unveiled in the gardens, on 3 October. 2009 Dr. John Clemens appointed curator. 2014 Christchurch Botanic Gardens won the 2014 Supreme Design Excellence Award at the Ellerslie International Flower Show with a horticultural exhibit called Burn after Reeding. Mission The mission of Christchurch Botanic Gardens is threefold: lead in the areas of horticulture, display, interpretation, education, research, networking, cultural and heritage relevance and community appreciation. emphasis is placed on New Zealand indigenous (native) plant diversity and global plant diversity. to protect heritage and cultural values. Visitor Centre The Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, which opened in April 2014, has a café, gift shop and an interactive permanent exhibition featuring the history of plants and gardening in Canterbury. Attached to the visitor centre is the Ilex nursery, where 10,000 plant species are propagated in order to supply the conservatories and also preserve species. Armstrong lawn John Armstrong, one of the early curators of the gardens, is commemorated at the Armstrong Lawn,