Establishing a new garden (Part 2)

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 16, 15 September 1987, Page 8

Establishing a new garden (Part 2)

Our first choice had of course to be the lovely Kowhai. We chose the variety Sopphora Tetraotera with its graceful habit and abundant large flowers. Sometimes referred to as the Taupo Kowhai this variety can be a little tender in exposed situations but our garden being favoured with some shelter from the stand of mountain beech on the river bank opposite we hope our Kowhai will survive. A harder variety is Sophora Microphylla with very small leaves and abundant if smaller flowers. Very attractive in growth we shall certainly include it in our garden. Nearby we have planted

Cordyline Banksii Purpureum a small climbing type of Cabbage tree with ribbed purple leaves. Growing only ten feet in height it is very suitable for a small garden. Nearer to the house is Pseudopanax Ferox, a rarer form of the native Lancewood. Quite a small tree, its drooping narrow leathery dark green leaves are heavily veined with a broad yellow midrib. Most attractive. Dodonea Purpureum, the purple form of Ake Ake, will provide some shelter from the wind for the tiny rose garden which lies behind it. Four attractive small trees in a pocket handkerchief

sized front garden. The narrow strip of garden beside the long concrete drive needed some thought. For this we .chose two flowering Crab Apples Malus Ballerina and Malus Joensis Plena, a double white Lilac Syringa Madame de Lemoine and Syringa Condorcet, a clear sky blue. These will provide a lovely display of blooms in spring and will give variation in height with smaller shrubs and plants placed in between. An edging of rock and alpine plants, Aubretias and Alyssum Saxtile spilling over on to the drive will do a lot to soften the harsh expanse of concrete.