Auckland itself contains many green spaces. Around
the University campus are some interesting plantings, often featuring
unusual species. A good collection of cycads, many in cone, comprise
one such bed. It is a pity that theft of cycads is an ever growing
problem and the plants at the university were planted through sheets
of mesh wire to stop would-be thieves from digging them out!
Close by, is the former residence of the English
governors of New Zealand from days gone by. The grounds are full
of old plantings, which include a huge Erythrina Indica tree, planted
over 100 years ago. There are also mature Rhopalostylis Bauerii
originating from the original seed collection of this plant on Norfolk
Island, they are truly impressive. Neighbouring the university is
Albert park, which is worth taking time to walk through to admire
a wide variety of mature trees and shrubs.
The Domain, is another area of parkland worth a
visit. A range of glasshouses contains a mix of plants, some of
which could undoubtedly be grown outdoors!, as well as a fern quarry.
As it was summer the ferns looked a little the worse for wear, but
with winter rains they must be superb. Many, many species can be
found here, including a good selection of tree ferns.
Leaving Auckland, Keith and I headed down to the
Taranaki area and the oil city of New Plymouth. This is sheltered
from cold Southerly winds by Mount Taranaki, which also acts as
rainmaker, by trapping cloud around its peak. Coupled with its warm,
Northerly aspect, New Plymouth has a good Micro Climate for a whole
range of plants.
It is here that Pukekura and neighbouring Brooklands
parks can be found, old, yet immaculately tended by the city. It
rained during my walk through Pukekura, though that served to add
to the atmosphere! A lake dominates the park its shores surrounded
by many, large, tree ferns, mainly Dicksonia Fibrosa, which revel
in the damp climate.
Rhododendrons and Camellia's make imposing trees
here, and it must be spectacular to see them in spring, covered
in bloom. Floral highlights during my visit were to be found in
the glasshouses! A large display of red and orange South African
Disa orchids and numerous individual pots of a Streptocarpus species
that bore one giant, furry leaf and a spray of mauve flowers were
very eye-catching.
Later in the day and when the rain had stopped we
headed for Brooklands park. Here a group of the Australian cycad
Lepidozamia Peroffskyana caught my attention. This lovely plant,
with a liking for cooler, moist climates, grows very well in much
of North Island. A male plant with cone shedding much pollen was
fascinating. The cone is huge and resembles a work of modern art!
Not bad for a plant, little changed from the days of the dinosaurs.
This easy going cycad is a great choice for the amateur cycad grower
and well worth cultivating.
Just outside the town, at Waitara, lies the nursery
and garden of Barbara and Brent Dury. Set in a spectacular location,
along an estuary,(complete with large Bream in the clear water),
this is a garden of treasures. Barbara has been collecting palms
and other plants for some time and the nursery she now runs specialises
in producing Cycas Revoluta and Taitungensis, both of which do well
in New Zealand.
In flower at the time were many forms of the bulb
Amaryllis Belladonna. The result of a breeding programme undertaken
by Barbara's father many years ago, the plants pepper a grassy slope,
in a naturalistic setting, down to the estuary. They carried their
large, trumpet flowers in varying shades of pink, some deeply coloured
with contrasting white throats.
Treasures of North Island: A Gardener's Paradise
