The good, the bad and the not-so-ugly
Many "weeds" have their good sides, but poroporo (Solanum laciniatum) can get a bad rap.
Garden Life
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
Common names can be misleading and confusing.
Saying it with roses
Saying it with roses
There are many special occasions and milestones we all like to acknowledge. A surprising number of roses have been bred and named for such anniversaries.
Adaptable plant family can grow on many hosts
Adaptable plant family can grow on many hosts
Pineapples belong to a family, bromeliad, with intriguing members.
Enjoy the fragrance of spring
Enjoy the fragrance of spring
What do the plants honeysuckle, lemon verbena, Australian mint bush, Chilean guava and vanilla tree all have in common?
Fun and games on botanic garden trail
Fun and games on botanic garden trail
Rationing children's screen time has become a bit of a "thing". A new children's trail at Dunedin Botanic Garden makes that job a lot easier for adult carers and lots of fun for children.
Bright, tough African daisy
Bright, tough African daisy
For brightness, longevity of bloom and summer toughness, it's hard to beat the cultivars of African daisy Arctotis.
Deciduous trees herald seasonal change
Deciduous trees herald seasonal change
"Nature's first green is gold", a line from poet Robert Frost, echoes at this time of year.
Working to conserve rhododendrons
Working to conserve rhododendrons
The "Red List of Rhododendrons", a study by international conservation groups, shows three species are now extinct and 25% of rhododendron species are "under threat of extinction".
Rare native broom by no means a pest
Rare native broom by no means a pest
Broom and gorse are coming into flower, gilding the hill slopes and reminding us how pervasive these exotics species are
Science on a trail
Science on a trail
Two hundred and fifty years ago Europeans first had the thrill of exploring the exotic plants of these south sea isles. About 80% of native plants grow naturally only in New Zealand. Imagine the...
No better time to visit garden than spring
No better time to visit garden than spring
It's spring! Time to take a stroll through Dunedin Botanic Garden to enjoy the delights of colour and fragrance.
The house plant with a tendency to outgrow the house
The house plant with a tendency to outgrow the house
A palm at Dunedin Botanic Garden's winter garden glasshouse has taken centre stage in the central house's middle bed.
Long history of camellias
Long history of camellias
Hundreds of years ago, in China, monks often selected their favourite local camellias for the entrances and gardens of their temples. Some remain as gnarled and ancient specimens.
Aviary home to Australians and natives
Aviary home to Australians and natives
The aviary has been a part of Dunedin Botanic Garden for a very long time but its role continues to evolve.
'Doryanthes' finally about to bloom
'Doryanthes' finally about to bloom
Patience is a virtue and one you will need when waiting for Doryanthes to flower. After 13 years, the wait is nearly over at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
Hardy houseplants to handle hostile spaces
Hardy houseplants to handle hostile spaces
Many people struggle to grow house plants, with extremes in temperature and light an issue.
Hardy houseplants to handle hostile spaces
Hardy houseplants to handle hostile spaces
Many people struggle to grow house plants, with extremes in temperature and light an issue.
Adaptations part of impressive plant
Adaptations part of impressive plant
The June "Garden Life" article about rhododendron stems mentioned how, in the wild, Rhododendron arboreum can reach 30m in height and form its own forests. Given that, compared with other rhododendron species, it has very brittle branches, this is quite remarkable.
'Doryanthes' finally about to bloom
'Doryanthes' finally about to bloom
Patience is a virtue and one you will need when waiting for Doryanthes to flower. After 13 years, the wait is nearly over at Dunedin Botanic Garden.