Planting a rain garden is a great way to help protect or planet Record rainfall in July reminded me of a concept displayed at last year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show. At the time, I thought it was a good idea – now, I’m thinking it’s pure genius! oany local councils are using the concept of […]

There’s no better way to celebrate New Zealand gardens than to visit them. So gather your friends and book a wild girls’ weekend away over spring. Select from one of the many garden festivals on around the country or tailor-make your own itinerary from the wonderful selection of New Zealand Gardens Trust gardens nationwide (visit […]

Grow red fruit and veges for glowing good health We all know about the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables. The recommended minimum amount is five plus servings a day, as in the 5 + a day health promotion, and the greater the variety of fruit and veges we eat, the greater the health benefits. […]

The sun is shining, the birds are singing – and there’s lot to be done in the garden! The green, green grass of home… Lawns are often forgotten when we’re fertilising our gardens. But grass is also a growing, living plant that benefits from a good dose of fertiliser during the active growth periods of […]

Help save our native bush – get out there and kill those weeds! So, when is a plant a weed? According to the national weeds awareness and education programme Weedbusters (www.weedbusters.co.nz), it’s when a plant is “growing where it is not wanted and having a harmful effect on the environment”. oany of our common environmental […]

Colour your world with these brilliant new blooms **Lavender Ruffles **Lavender lovers rejoice! A new series with cute ruffled wings will steal your hearts this spring. ‘Boysenberry Ruffles’ has burgundy bracts with pale pink ruffled wings, ‘Blueberry Ruffles’ has dark violet bracts topped with purple ruffled wings and ‘Raspberry Ruffles’ sports cerise bracts topped with […]

If shade is a problem in your garden, reach for the pruning saw, not the chainsaw! Don’t attack established trees from the top, it spoils their natural shape. Step back and view your work after each cut to ensure you’re maintaining the shape. Start by removing lower branches, or lifting the crown, to expose about […]

An age-old artform The art of topiary has been around for thousands of years, right back to ancient Egypt. But the height of topiary madness must surely go to decadent King Henry VIII’s garden at Hampton Court Palace, which boasted cypress clipped into greyhounds, deer, bears, urns, vases and boats. French and Italian gardens of […]

It’s not always easy to grow, but glorious clematis is worth the effort **Clematis: the 3 groups **These gorgeous flowering climbers are a diverse range of plants, but clematis can be broadly grouped into early-flowering, large-flowered hybrids and late-flowering types. These groups are helpful in deciding how to prune your clematis and correct pruning is […]

Liven up your garden with the striking combination of black and red. Both red and black foliage must be used with caution. overuse of either would dominate and excessive dark tones may become oppressive. Think of red and black as accessories – there to complement and enhance or draw attention. Both make excellent key colours, […]