28 February 2013
449 Lund Road
Katikati
This picturesque established 2.5 acre contoured garden is perched 800 feet above sea level lending to its own microclimate free from frosts in which the likes of both natives and David Austin roses flourish! The house and top of the garden have expansive views of the Tauranga harbour and surrounds.
Alan & Maureen Cook have spent the past 17 years converting an abandoned kiwifruit orchard into wide sweeping vistas of native and old world plants. Maureen has collected plants from friends established gardens as felt it suited the bush setting.
From the house you pass through the colourful top layer of the garden past the natural log staircase and neatly stacked woodshed highlighting Alan's passion for woodwork; to the right is located a small nursery in which seedlings are raised and available for purchase.
The path lined with punga,native orchids & rata. The ladies mile features several large specimen trees: magnolia, copper beech, Hawthorne & maples.
Featured amongst these are a vast array of NZ natives, roses, hydrangeas, orchards, proteas, fragrant mandavila, kangaroo paws, lavender, clematis, lillies philidensus (self seeding & commence flowering 7th Feb) flax, manuka. Parvonia orange flower. Pineapple Lilly. Typoshina, Spiria.
The next level you emerge into is wide and expansive followed by a third featuring several ponds gold fish and a different array of planting including hosta & taro.
The final level rising to native yellow/black hibiscus, Porapora with a poisonous berry, ribbon wood, kowhai, Horopito & several variety of Rimu.
A peaceful & tranquil setting to spend a fine February morning! As always returning inspired and with just a wee bit more knowledge to add to the gardening tool box!
Maureen's tips/ words of wisdom:
Hybrid tea roses cut back hard, good as stand alone roses.
David Austin roses cut back by a 1/3; or every second year. Grow well amongst other plants.
Companion plant curly leave parsley for aphids & disease prevention.
Be mindful Punga have extensive and fibrous root systems.
Meg
