Blogs

Restoring the balance

This Southgate property has a large bush area where weeds had taken over and karaka had become the dominant species, considerably reducing diversity. Although karaka is a NZ native, it isn't native to Wellington and takes over from our local plants. Te Motu Kairangi explains more.
We are gradually managing the herbaceous weeds. With the karaka, we are hand pulling the seedlings and chopping down larger plants then Stump Stopping the cut. This seems to be working though karaka does re-sprout from below the cut, so we have to be more persistent than the karaka.
We're careful not to take out too many larger trees at once as the area is on a bank and we don't want to disturb the terrain more than necessary.

Assessing the bush area Aug 2018
Hover over the images to learn about our first visit to this bush area.

Taller mahoe is a great pioneer plant. Loads of karaka seedlings in front

Bold karaka make their way through the tradescantia

Looking down to a large flat area in the bush

Happy to spot a few self-seeded kohekohe plants

We discovered a few other plants such as this japonica, hydrangeas, feijoas and camellia.

Starting work

First task was to dig some rough steps for safe access and to start dealing to the weeds (tradescantia, convolvulus, galinsoga, bay tree, with old man's beard and German ivy on the fringes).

Rough steps from the property to the bush area

Same steps, but looking up to the house area

A group of native self-seeded plants, mainly ngaio and mahoe

Mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus, whitey wood) in front. Karaka ( (Corynocarpus laevigatus, New Zealand laurel) at the back.

Some creature finds the mahoe leaf tasty

Pulling out the karaka seedlings

Great to see some self-seeded ngaio (Myoporum laetum)

More of the good fellas, ngaio and coprosma repens

And as we clear we discover more self-seeded kawakawa(Macropiper excelsum).

The flat area with the start of our pile of felled karaka

Continuing our mahi
October/November/December 2018. Hover for explanations

Felled karaka trees. We lay them horizontally between trees. This is to help keep water on the property and gradually form a shelf, rather than have water and soil run straight down the hill off the property.

Here's a sawn then Stump Stopped karaka. We leave some of the stumps quite high to put the horizontal branches behind and to hang on to when clambering around the slope.

Steps from next door property. They're random lumps of concrete and we had to move some of them as unstable

Great crop of galinsoga and convolvulus.

Lovely to discover three or four kohekohe on the property.

Gregor in his element, sawing bossy karaka

Summer 2019
Already we've noticed more birds (types and numbers), seen dragonflies and more native seedlings popping up.
Now we've made space, let the light in, and it's planting time, we're hoping to plant some Wellington natives, ideally those that are getting rare in the wild. This will add to the wider ecosystem and increase diversity in this little piece of bush.

Making access across the bank having sprayed the galinsoga and tradescantia

Karaka berries plant themselves with damp fleshy fertiliser, giving them a great start in life.

Making access across the bank having sprayed the galinsoga and tradescantia

Garden potential

A private and flat section is a rare thing in Wellington. Over time, we're keen to help this Kingston garden show its potential.
Hover over the photos for captions.

Recent photos show progress

The clients' young daughter enjoys exploring the flowers and food from the garden.
Hover over photos for descriptions. Click them to enlarge.

Native plants from WCC for the road reserve area.

Once established the 2 makomako (wineberry) took off and are looking lush.

WCC road reserve plants we put in from the street Nov 2021

We sowed some sweetpeas against the railings. Here they are in green growth mode. Later they were covered in pink, mauve and white flowers and of course the glorious scent.

In the front bed we added some local native plants and gave the renga renga lilies some extra care.

We sowed some sweetpeas against the railings. Here they are in green growth mode. Later they were covered in pink, mauve and white flowers and of course the glorious scent.

There were already some flowering shrubs, such as these intense blue hydrangeas, in the front garden which we fed and managed pests.

And this flourishing pink rhododendron was already there.

Native plants we planted on south boundary.

Early days

The garden at the beginning. In discussion with the owners the plans evolved over time.

Over the fence wattle and karo

Curious cat

Old man's beard, an invasive weed

Ivy scrambling up the tree and will eventually kill it.

One of the ivy trunks

Innocent looking ivy seedling

Clearing other side of fence

Galinsoga, known by several names (asthma weed) is common in Island Bay area

Ivy being cleared

Rhododendron has breathing space now we've removed weedmat and some of the aggies

Wait until seeds ripen before cutting. We can scatter them down the bank

Front bed after weedmat pulled out

Cut and gelled flax growing near drain and a trip hazard on path

Person cutting dead leaves off large flax

Remove this conifer which has been smothered by ivy

Two full fadges. One green waste. One flax

Tied up the currants, gave them compost and foliar feed. Photo of currant plants.

Pinterest for ideas

Check out our Pinterest boards for planting and garden inspiration, plants for specific situations and much more.
There are boards on edibles, how to..., seasonal tasks, ground cover, grasses, NZ natives. It's a visual feast with links to useful information.

Wild about Weeds Pinterest page

It's lily time!

Here in Aotearoa the lilies are blooming gorgeous. I planted some for the first time and am delighted with the results. Deep pink flowers with huge antlers that wobble in the breeze and a delightful subtle scent.

See more on The Garden of Jury's blog which showcases some other stunners.

Digging spider plants

Digging up spider plants Chlorophytum comosum is like dealing with the Titanic's iceberg (I'm guessing ).
There may be only a little showing on top but underneath there's twice as much bulk comprising roots and tubers. This sneaky plant also produces plantlets at the tips of branches. Spider plant is clearly focussed on reproducing and takes no risks to ensure there are squillions of offspring.

Don't be deceived by the leaves on top. Underneath there is twice as much bulk as roots and tubers

Chlorophytum comosum

North Island Bay

A large varied garden in Island Bay Wellington with NZ natives, fruit trees, veges, ornamentals and more. See earlier photos in the Facebook gallery

Berhampore neighbours

What a joy to have two clients living next to each other. It was a pleasure to get stuck in to this garden and remove the weeds which were harbouring so many snails. That's when I wish I still had chickens.

NZ native plants. All or nothing - or some of each?

Kiwis have their preferences regarding planting native plants in their gardens. Some are from the staunch eco-sourced natives only brigade, while others prefer formal gardens with exotic plantings.
Abbie's blog talks about why they refer diversity at Tikorangi Gardens. No limit of ten plant types for them - and I heartily agree. Biodiversity is where it's at!

Mindful thoughts for gardeners

Subtitled 'Sowing seeds of awareness' this little book helps me connect with why I love gardening and why I do it. It encourages me to stop and look deeper and purposefully at nature.
Clea Danaan is a gardener and teacher on a mission to help people fall in love with the earth. (Paraphrased from back cover).
Clea's website

Taputeranga on high

This property has some newly established native plants. We maintain and care for the garden. There are more photos in the Facebook gallery.

Berhampore front garden

A lovely wee garden in Berhampore. Roses, camellias, grevillia, callistemon. More photos in the Facebook gallery.

Newtown cottage

Another garden we maintain. When we first took it over, it had a lot of pest plants but these are now under control.

Hidden garden in the city

One of our regular maintenance jobs is to give this garden some love.

Waiongana Gardens

What a delight to spend a weekend enjoying others' hard mahi. Not to mention the huge choice of gardens from the three garden-focussed festivals in the 'Naki at the time: the Powerco Taranaki Garden Fest, Sustainable Backyards and Fringe Gardens. There's something for everyone, from food forests to rhodos; from small and simple to grand and complex.
Here are some photos from one of my faves this year Waiongana Gardens, by the river.

Bees partying on the poppies

Poppy foliage with a few pink poppy flowers

Native and exotic plants with colour contrast

Pond area with rocks, boardwalk, grasses

A different view of the pond area

Granny's bonnet flower aka columbine aka aquilegia

Compost stacks with wire holding the weeds in

beautifully decorated hummingbird cake

Nicely garnished mini quiche

View from garden to river

Cabbage trees aka ti kouka in full flower by the river

Waiongana Gardens are known for their peonies. The bees agree

Yellow leaved tree

Acer tree

Fire wood stacked as a fence

pine cone mown into the lawn

Poppy flower with seed head in foreground

Pink poppy flowers

Open sided potting shed

Pink peony flower

White petal yellow centre daises

For the love of iris

Just back from the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular and assimilating all the gardens and beauty within. Looking through my photos, there are so many beautiful bearded irises I've shared some here with some from last year to show the colour variety. From subtle to bold and brilliant.
Remember irises like at least half a day full sun and leave the rhizomes exposed.

Garden solutions

Some photos of garden problems identified and solved.

October 27th, 2018

See photo albums of customers' gardens on our Facebook page.

Puketarata Gardens, Hawera

Another Garden of National Significance and one of my favourites. Beautiful design and the view across the rural landscape gave it a lovely open feeling. Puketarata Garden website

Lockinge Garden

Lockinge is a peaceful garden tucked away in a valley with a lake at its centre.

Kingfisher Cottage, Taranaki

In the country 15 mins from Hawera, this garden borders a river. During the festival they catered food on the deck, from where we enjoyed a stunning view. You can rent the cottage too www.kingfishercottage.co.nz/