The Kerikeri Gardener
It’s no coincidence that Kerikeri’s annual Garden Safari is one of the first for the season.
Good sun, enough rain and great soil make for a fabulous growing environment and locals joke that when a twig falls off a tree and sticks in the ground, it’s a metre tall a month later.
Those who have embraced the opportunity to garden here have taken advantage of plenty of space. Even suburban sections are usually large and a 3000 square metre section right in town is in no way unusual.
And it’s just as well – the variety of plants that can be grown in Northland is impressive. Sub-tropical planting is among the most popular styles, although many gardeners concentrate on a mainly native plant palette.
And with many European immigrants choosing to live here, exotic gardens are also common, showcasing camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and even roses. It’s not as easy as growing flaxes and cabbage trees, but it’s not too much of a challenge either.
Fortunately, experts abound to offer advice on all styles of planting. There are several specialist palm nurseries with stunning show gardens, and a visit or two sees many a gardener hooked. Retail and wholesale nurseries offer a broad range of native and exotic trees and shrubs, and there’s nothing lacking in the edible garden range either.
If gardening is your passion – and especially if you like to see quick results – there couldn’t be a better place in New Zealand to indulge it.
