The Te Atatu Floral Circle escaped Auckland for the weekend on the Covid-Buster tour to Tauranga.
We saw many gardens over a the weekend from downsized ones to upsized ones, old established ones to new and trendy. The weather shone on us and was perfect.
The first three were in Pyes Pa and had staked out their new subdivision claims by going a bit crazy at the garden centre. Annuals galore, hanging baskets, and veges down the back were the order of the day. There's a lot you can do on former kiwifruit orchard on handkerchief size plots. Who needs a lawn when one can carve out a koru water feature?
I liked the groundcover pansies, and fuschsias seemed to be the favoured foundation plant.
In town, we visited Robbins Park Rose Gardens, which were all in bloom. But the real gem was the tropical house next door, complete with orchids in a glass case. Spectacular.
In Papamoa, we visited a Jacobean tapestry and quilt lady. I bought some dutch iris bulbs. They had downsized to the surburbs but had bought all their favourite plants with them. Another riot of colourful flowers awaited us.
Then we upsized to a country style formal garden (big enough for a buxus edged phoenix palm driveway roundabout) that had the biggest lemon and lime roses you ever saw, the leaves super fed with fert that they were flogging to us in little baggies. Yet another riotous bed of colour was in full bloom.
The last day we cruised on up the old Te Puna Quarry that had been transformed into a rambly garden - this one had an amazing heritage rose border with romantic favourites including stachys, sweet williams, lilies, iris and lobelias. Thanks to all the active Rose Society volunteer workers, it was heavenly to walk through.
Our final stop was the Mayward Homestead Country Garden, which could easily qualify for the 5 star rating of National Gardens of Significance. This one had flowing waters and mystery dells, swamp cypress, azaleas, rhododendrons, wisterias, lily of the valleys, hostas and solomon's seal. The house was a romantic's dreamy backdrop, an ideal wedding venue. It all backed on to native bush and the owner was a dedicated and knowledgable gardener. We were gobsmacked that she did all this on her own.
I am sorry photos can't really do it justice, but you had to be there.
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Tauranga tropical house Picture perfect - who needs a wedding give me a garden for life |
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| Roses and more roses in bloom |
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One of many garden beds full of flowers Bug hotel  Orchids under glass |
When I got back to Auckland I was feeling a bit crowded after Tauranga's spacious suburbs and giant trees that would never be cut down for a parking lot or infill housing. They really have super giant trees there.
So I thought my solution was to convince people if they really want to live in Auckland they've got to start living in the trees instead of cutting them all down. Thanks Tauranga for an amazing tour and the Floral Circle ladies had a great time as always!
