Te Puna Quarry

Te Puna Quarry

29th May 2014

In 1993 the Te Puna Quarry Park Society was formed to investigate turning a disused quarry into a useable public garden. Currently a committee of ten oversees the 330 plus member society and many organisations that assist them.  Amongst these are a dedicated group of gardeners who meet Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons to weed, plant and maintain this large and diverse garden.  

There are many different garden sections to the Quarry with some contributed to and managed  by local gardening clubs and societies. Our first stop was the herb garden where we admired a large Bay tree and some very hungry caterpillars on a swan plant.

Next we circled  the pond garden and enjoyed the Manuka trees with their delicate white flowers in comparison to their tortured trunks and peeling bark.  

We began the fairly strenuous climb through the Palm Garden and South African plants, stopping to look at a Bangalow Palm grove with profuse berries/seeds and then a Bird Of Paradise with a single perfect bloom.

Nearly at the high point we looked at tall Native Tree ferns commenting how they suited this spot but would overwhelm a normal sized garden.

We began a quite steep descent (hoping the very pregnant Bec would not lose her footing)  down the Lion Steps and past the Bonsai Garden which was not looking very inspiring. We stopped to admire a very unusual bright yellow bamboo specimen.

Next we encountered a bank of Bromeliads; a huge variety of colours and sizes. The Bromeliad Society should be commended. Also in this area were the orchid beds, but due to the timing of our visit we only saw a few (very pretty) specimens.

Along the path we stopped to look up at a variety of succulents, Agaves, Aloes and Cacti planted naturalistically in the volcanic rock flows with some specimens throwing out large bright flower spikes. 

Back at our cars we examined and discussed the various cuttings and plants that we had brought along to swap. We contemplated further exploring but coffee was calling us so we adjourned to Nourish for an enjoyable debrief.

Thanks to Donna for organising this month's visit and plant swap.

Paula