Flowering Native Plants - November

 Wandering around the waterfall gardens last night, I realised lots of the native plants were in full flower. Had to take some photos. The bees were going nuts over the Rewarewa in particular. This is a young tree and I had never seen the full process of the buds opening, particularly at eye level. Fascinating process! 

Another novelty is just how short many of the Cabbage Trees are when they are having their first flower. Every one of them was grown by me from a 5cm seedling, so I have a vested interest in my babies!! Maybe there is something about the season, but again, you don't normally see them flower at eye height. Hoping they don't all branch out that height, as most have been grown so you can see past the trunks. 

Shade Gardens at The Waterfall

 I am so in love with ferns. The plants I transferred from the pine forest a few years ago are really taking off, now, in the frost free areas near the water. We have been experimenting with sizes of ponga, and whether to trim all fronds off, or just cut off the tips. Some success with both methods, but I do think if you are moving a ponga with a TRUNK , then trimming all fronds off and just leaving the koru is the best technique. Haven't been brave enough yet to CUT the entire trunk, leaving behind the roots! Just can't bear to think it might kill the whole plant. Anyone done that? I have seen ponga logs sprouting after they have been installed, but seems very hit and miss. 

Existing Kowhai and young Titoki protect the young ponga from sun and frost.

Two recently moved Ponga are loving their new spot by the main pond, in the shade and frost protection of cabbage trees. 

This seemed harsh at the time, but trimming off all fronds and just leaving
the koru seems to have worked for this ponga with a 1.5m tall trunk.
Fingers crossed anyway.