How many hours have Fran and Mike Rawling spent over the past 22 years pulling weeds, mowing lawns, dead-heading roses and generally keeping their Wylde Willow garden in Abbotsford in pristine condition?
And, that is a 2.1ha park-like garden with innumerable plants and trees, a pond, an orchard, walkways, various livestock and even its very own Hobbit house.
Give up? Well, here is a clue.
According to Mr Rawling, his wife chalks up "25 hours a day" and he, helpful chap that he is, does very little except look after the property's "infrastructure".
"I'm the chainsaw and hammer man, that's all," he says mischievously.
"I don't know anything about the garden.
"People ask me, 'Are the roses out yet, Mike', and I say `I haven't the foggiest'.
"I'm so used to waking up to the colour each day I hardly notice."
But the assessors for the New Zealand Gardens Trust have noticed, and recently advised the North Taieri Rd couple their garden has been given Garden of National Significance status.
It is a coveted honour, putting Wylde Willow on a footing with about 35 other gardens around the country, including the Dunedin Botanic Garden, the big difference being the Rawlings have achieved the recognition with a lot fewer staff - just the two of them.
When the couple moved from Andersons Bay to the secluded property 22 years ago, there was only a house and a small garden - a "clear palette" - and the result has evolved rather than being made to a rigid blueprint.
Mrs Rawling's passion consumes her time - 6am to 8pm is an average working day in the summer, according to her husband, although they do take a break in winter.
"But I don't think of it as work; it's not a chore.
"I just enjoy it and enjoy sharing it [the garden] as well," she says.
• Wylde Willow is open to the public by appointment.
