New Zealand’s very own curtains of green
New Zealand’s very own curtains of green
New Zealand’s native passionfruit vine, also known as kohia, is a handsome and vigorous climber.
Garden Life
Evergreen tree flowers in autumn, winter
Evergreen tree flowers in autumn, winter
The loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, is an evergreen tree which is native to south central China.
Winter time for maintenance on pathways
Winter time for maintenance on pathways
During these colder months as growth slows with plants going dormant, it’s possible to focus on other important projects around the botanic garden.
Grow perennials for easy-care ground cover
Grow perennials for adaptable, effective, easy-care ground cover
Herbaceous perennials are traditionally planted in wide borders or beds.
Continuing the species one seed at a time
Continuing the species one seed at a time
All plants grow with the hope of propagating themselves in some way for the species to continue.
Mediterranean flower requires patience
Mediterranean flower requires patience
A small swathe of Cyclamen graecum is growing happily under a native totara in the north end of the rock garden.
Rare, remarkable flowering trees have vessel-free wood
Rare, remarkable flowering trees have vessel-free wood
Tetracentron sinense and Trochodendron aralioides are two remarkable trees that are both rare and collectable.
Koru perfect filler for damp, frost-free spot
Koru perfect filler for damp, frost-free spot
Koru, Lobelia physaloides, is a rare plant from the Three Kings, Poor Knights, Hen and Rakitu Islands and northern North Island.
Autumn colours emerge in bold display
Autumn colours emerge in bold display
The wonders of autumn are truly a sight to behold.
Adding some floral colour to autumn
Adding some floral colour to autumn
Selecting plants that offer you a long flowering season and good seasonal choices, allows you to have plants blooming throughout the year.
Gardening not without hazards
Gardening not without hazards
All activities have risks of one sort or another, even for the humble task of gardening whether it’s around the home garden or as a professional.
Cyclamen thriving in drought conditions
Cyclamen thriving in drought conditions
With conditions in Dunedin being so dry recently, it is nice to see a drought-resistant herbaceous plant in full flower and thriving.
Edible plants add a new dimension
Edible plants add a new dimension
Blueberries are known botanically as Vaccinium and all 450 species occur naturally in the northern hemisphere.
Mallee ringneck parrots settle in at aviary
Mallee ringneck parrots settle in at aviary
A recent addition at the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary is a pair of mallee ringneck parrots.
Pohutukawa well anchored
Pohutukawa well anchored
One of our oldest pohutukawa growing in the upper Dunedin Botanic Garden is nearing the end of its flowering for the year.
Silky New Zealand jasmine flowers bloom
Silky New Zealand jasmine flowers bloom
New Zealand jasmine, or Parsonsia, is coming into bloom. Like the familiar but unrelated Jasminum species, parsonsia are climbers with richly perfumed flowers.
North American shrub puts on a show
North American shrub puts on a show
Making a great show in the botanic garden’s North American plant collection is small shrub of California flannelbush, Fremontodendron californicum.
Vertical layers key in garden design
Vertical layers key in garden design
The success of establishing a garden involves considering the dimensions of space as well as the effects of time.
An alluring fragrance of China
An alluring fragrance of China
The beautiful pale-yellow flowers of the evergreen shrub Illicium simonsii are on display in the upper garden’s North Asian border. Perhaps more impressive is their fragrance.
Camellias in all their glory on show
Camellias in all their glory on show
Camelias range in size from delicate miniatures, with flowers and leaves to match, to the big and bold glamorous specimens.