February 2023
Hello Everyone
It feels a little uneasy to be writing about beautiful things in the garden when many people in the North Island are dealing with so much tragedy. Hopefully the pleasure of growing plants or looking at gardens will help to heal wounds in the future.
We have been cutting back our perennials this month so that they will be tidy for March, and when the temperatures drop a bit we will be planting out a lot of plants that are waiting in the shade house. The arborists have been for their annual visit and again I am very happy with the decisions that I made this year. Two trees had to come out as they were dying back and crowding out other trees around them. Already it looks so much better with more light filtering in. A very large bossy rhododendron which has grown much past its recommended height and width has caused some bother for years. Even after heavy pruning it romped away, causing darkness and difficulty for surrounding plants. It has gone and again, that area of the garden looks so much better. The underplantings will really come to life now.
The next few weeks are busy with garden visitors, a workshop, and groups picnicking in the garden.
Photo 1. The front pond on a summer’s afternoon. The thujas provide a nice framework. Photo by Bev Long.
Photo 2: The ever-so reliable and attractive gaura. This variety is ‘Whirling Butterflies’. We cut ours hard back late autumn and that is the only attention that it needs all year.
Photo by Bev Long.
Photo 3: Shade on a hot summer’s afternoon. The archway is covered in roses and ornamental grape vines and they provide a cool retreat. Photo by Bev Long.
Photo 4: Some, but not all of our Café au Lait dahlias change to a soft pink as they age. Behind this dahlia is the annual tobacco plant, Nicotiana langsdoorfii, its limey-green flowers going to seed. As we pull the plant out the seeds drop and we have plenty ready to grow next year. Photo by Bev Long.
Photo 5: The arborists felled a camellia hedge which was at least two metres high, as many of the camellia plants were dying away. I had plans to replant with a hedge of Camellia ‘Takanini’, but as with many situations in the garden, as soon as the lengthy hedge had gone, a completely different scene arose. I immediately knew that I wouldn’t grow another hedge here. We are going to shuffle some of the tall Berberis ‘Helmond Pillar’ and there will be very little else to do. Photo by Bev Long.
Next month we will be holding another workshop here which is organised by Jane Mahoney of Secret Gardens. We have a few places left. This would make an ideal gift for someone?
SECRET GARDENS MASTERCLASS WITH MARGARET LONG, FRENSHAM, Tai Tapu, Canterbury. PLANTS FOR DRY AND DIFFICULT PLACES
2pm - 4.30pm, 3rd March '23, $60pp, includes afternoon tea. On Friday March 3rd '23 Margaret will present an exclusive Secret Gardens Masterclass in her stunning garden Frensham, near Tai Tapu in Christchurch.
In this workshop, Margaret will offer advice and inspiration to overcome a common challenge faced by gardeners – what to plant in those dry or difficult parts of the garden, where nothing seems to grow.
"This is one of the most frequently asked questions I'm asked by garden visitors. In this workshop we'll look at examples of plants that can be grown successfully in these conditions, taking into account seasonal foliage and flowering, height, and suitability to neighbouring plants."
Bookings online at secretgardens.co.nz
An Edwardian Garden Party
Join the Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens on 12 March 2023 from 3 – 6pm at the Mona Vale Homestead. Enjoy bubbles, canapés, music, croquet on the lawn along with a special botanical art sale.
Proceeds will go to help restore the historic bathhouse to its former glory. When repaired it will house a collection of semi-hardy tropical plants and be open to the public for relaxing with friends or for the use of small community groups such as artists, photographers, musicians etc.
Purchase your tickets from www.friendschchbotanicgardens.org.nz
Tel: 021 263 7229 with questions.
Best wishes,
Margaret
