Bethlehem Gem

25 October 2012

Athfield Drive

Bethlehem

Tauranga

We had a lovely visit to Joans formal/cottage garden nestled in the leafy suburb of Bethlehem.  She established her garden from scratch 9 years ago where they built a Landmark home.

Her driveway was lined with an effect white garden – of standard iceberg roses, lambs ear and a white camellia hedge.  The entrance of the house was highlighted with stunning tall cone shaped and tiered lilly pilly.  Although very effective and fast growing Joan pointed out that they are not an ideal specimen due to their susceptibility to thrips.  She sprays them fortnightly with confidor to control the disease.

The back garden is stunning with a 4 tiered hedge separating the lower garden with the upper.  This was very effective and much enjoyed by all of us.  Between one layer of the hedge were Vulcon or black magnolia which would be striking in flower.

The 3 Curly Robina lined in one garden made for an interesting aspect of the garden, although not a particularity robust tree in the wind.

The back garden was more of a casual cottage garden with lots of variety and colour, with a few vegetables along the way! 

Michelle

Hamilton Gardens

27 September 2012

Cobham Drive
Hamilton
www.hamiltongardens.co.nz




WOW what an amazing job the Hamilton council have done. 
Our first destination was the Paradise Garden Collection, made up of 6 gardens from around the world. Let the exploring begin.......

Entrance to the Paradise Garden Collection

First garden was the 'Italian Renaissance Garden, it is an interpretation of 15th-16th Century Renaissance gardens that sought to rationalise and improve upon nature' - there words not mine!

It was interesting how they had trained some of the espalier to grow down the wall, you can see that in the middle photos.

Kumera mounds

Next stop 'Te Parapara, which is a garden demonstrating traditional Maori horticulture.'









The 'Japanese Garden of Contemplation, an example of the 14th - 16th Century Muromachi Period gardens designed for quiet contemplation and study.' I have to say it was very peaceful.

The Indian garden was quiet a contrast to the Japanese garden, with its full bursts of colour everywhere. The 'Indian Char Bagh Garden, an interpretation of a 16th - 17th Century symbolic four-quartered garden built for the Mughal aristocracy as an escape from the harsh environment.'

We had a quick pass through the English Flower Garden, which I think we were a bit early for and not much was out in flower.

Then onto the 'Chinese Scholar's Garden, and interpretation of the 10th - 12th Century Sung Dynasty gardens that were designed as natural worlds of imagination and surprise.' Again we were a bit early to see the Wisteria flowering, Im sure it would be worth a trip to see as it has been wound around a large bridge over the water way.

The 'American Modernist Garden, a late 20th Century garden for outdoor living designed in the American West Coast tradition.'

Leaving the Paradise Collection we headed for the Productive Garden Collection, have to say I was pretty excited about seeing this. The garden displayed plants for culinary, cosmetic, perfume and medicianal purposes. It even had this 'Pouched Egg Flower' plant, interesting!

Formal Herb Garden, note the clipped Bay Tree

On to the 'Kitchen Garden, based on the traditional European kitchen gardens, this garden displays a range of vegetables and small fruits.' I had a chat with the gardeners as they were pulling up wheel barrow loads of carrots, to find that they send all there produce to the food bank.

Fruit trees espaliered within the walled garden 

The last garden we had time for was the 'Sustainable Backyard, a small enclosed garden demonstrating principles of sustainable food production on a backyard scale.' They managed to fit alot into this small space, bee hive, worm farm, compost, fruit trees and veges.

Unfortunately we ran out of time to explore the rest the fantastic Hamilton gardens have to offer. So we think another trip is on the agenda.
Donna