Pretty as a picture
The autumn colour on golden ash tree, Fraxinus excelsior ``Jaspidea'' is impressive enough alone.
Garden Life
Mulga magic
Mulga magic
The mulga parrot (Psephotellus varius) has the same name as a well-known tree and is also found in the arid interior of South Australia.
Edible and beautiful
Edible and beautiful
A very old-fashioned, but interesting fruit tree, Mespilus germanica is self-fertile so doesn't require cross pollination to fruit, which is great for the small garden. The fruit is a distinctive...
Tough Australian nut smooth on the inside
Tough Australian nut smooth on the inside
Did you know that our Australian neighbours have one of the most prized nut producers as a native tree? Macadamia is a genus of four species, of which three are edible. The fourth is poisonous.
Majestic conifers not for the faint of heart
Majestic conifers not for the faint of heart
Sequoia sempervirens, which is more commonly known as California redwood, is not a tree for the faint of heart.
Staff busy pruning, planting roses
Staff busy pruning, planting roses
Winter may bring a quiet time for gardeners, but if you have roses growing this may not be the case as it's time they were pruned.
Four-lobed leaves a distinctive feature
Four-lobed leaves a distinctive feature
Liriodendron has a beautiful common name, the tulip tree, that conjures up pictures of trees covered in bright red tulips.
Forest freed to thrive into future
Forest freed to thrive into future
In 1912, John Wilson wrote on early settlement: "About Dunedin was forest, and to get into the country the traveller had to force his way through flax, tutu, fern, scrub, and swamps. The only...
Autumn hues low too
Autumn hues low too
We associate the fiery colours of autumn with trees - Liquidambar, maple, rowan, poplar and ash to name but a few.
Rhododendrons radiant but others have own charm
Rhododendrons radiant but others have own charm
The Rhododendron Dell at the Dunedin Botanic Garden is bursting with spring colour as the rhododendron season gets into full stride and spring bulbs continue to delight. However, it's also worth...
Mature trees grace garden
Mature trees grace garden
At times it can be easy to miss the trees and see only the flowers. But look up. The 155-year-old Dunedin Botanic Garden has a large collection of trees, many well over 100!
Candytufts look like starbursts
Candytufts look like starbursts
There are many species of candytuft or Iberis ranging from annuals to shrubby perennials. Flowers vary in colour from white to pale pink through to purple. Interestingly, the common name candytuft...
‘Loropetalum’ matches rhododendron in growth
‘Loropetalum’ matches rhododendron in growth
At the south end of the Cherry Walk in the Rhododendron Dell at Dunedin Botanic Garden is a sweeping band of mature shrubs.
‘Polygonatum’ attractive all season
‘Polygonatum’ attractive all season
Planting a low maintenance, easy care perennial is a good start to spring.
A tree that's two in one
A tree that's two in one
Hungry birds have been feasting on the fruits of one of New Zealand's favourite native oddballs, the horoeka, or lancewood.
Squawking chicks only rarely need our help
Squawking chicks only rarely need our help
In spring, the cycle of life starts anew and birds are busy breeding. At Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary some mothers are on nests, and there are signs others will start laying eggs soon.
Name suits to a T
Name suits to a T
This Australian native plant has a common name that describes the flower perfectly. Hairy buds open in late summer to reveal asymmetric flowers resembling the paw of any number of animals, but...
Free your mind and let your senses take the lead
Free your mind and let your senses take the lead
Visual appearance is often the focus of amenity gardening. But we have four other senses that can be underused. In fact, exercising these senses can actually feel quite therapeutic.
Magnolias’ winter beauty
Magnolias’ winter beauty seen in shape, structure
When selecting flowering trees for your garden, it is natural to focus on their flowering time. But equally eye-catching are their winter features.
Chinese evergreen fruits in springtime
Chinese evergreen fruits in springtime
We don’t often think of plants ripening their fruits in spring; spring seems more about buds bursting, new growth and spring flowers.