Coatesville Country Garden Club Autumn 2018

Erica, Gill, Carol and Val chilling out at Haumoana Farm

Dear Members,

I think that winter started a touch early this year after waking to frosts at the end of May. Now that we are in the thick of June, the weather has settled into a miserably wet pattern but makes me want for warmer climes once again. If the wet continues throughout the entire winter, I wonder to what extent our gardens are going to suffer. If areas are well protected with a thick blanket of mulch, I would guess that they would manage better than without. I have not put my garlic in yet and am considering starting them in the glass house first before planting out to mitigate the risk of rotting in the ground or worse being dug up by the Pukekos. It was great to catch up with everybody at our last meeting after being absent for most of the first part of the year. Now that I am on a break, I have an opportunity to send this news newsletter out to you all. It is with much thanks to Liz Rosie who has crafted both the March and May articles that this has been possible. These have been embellished with photos taken by Owen Sprosen, so many thanks to them both for their contributions to make this newsletter happen. As discussed at our last meeting, we will be having our Bumper Trade Table at the July meeting, a little later in the year but just as good a time to have plants on hand for planting out. Once again we would welcome labelled potted plants, divided wrapped plants, fresh and preserved produce for the trade table. All the best and keep toastie and warm. Regards Tanya Ankersmit President

March: South Head ur first garden, owned by Greg and Barb Ross, was an ordinary farm that had been set up as a destination for American tourists off cruise

ships. We wondered about the distance they would have to travel from the city, but it seemed not to be a problem. Barb told us that on some days she would have three different parties visiting, and we could see the attraction. A long, long shingle drive, lined with palms and other planting but still with a very open outlook allowed panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and was a great introduction to the property. It was typical New Zealand country with low hills as a background, and patches of mature trees and bush. All beautifully green and lush. Americans wouldn’t appreciate how lucky they were to see it like that in March!

There was a neat little yard for demonstration shearing, and a herd of very pretty fallow deer which could be hand fed. They were only little animals. Some had spotted coats and some were plain grey-brown. After we had fed the adventurous ones (the biggest and bossiest was George) they all retreated to lie down in the shade of a big tree. It was a lovely picture. The garden was extensive and rolled down a slope away from the house. In her welcome our hostess explained that it was not a “gardener’s” garden as that was not her emphasis, and we could see what she meant as we wandered around. Closer to the house it was beautifully manicured with all sorts of little treasures hanging up or placed among the planting. Scallop shell flowers, a trellis wall covered with little pots of succulents, and displays of fallow deer antlers would have fascinated American visitors, particularly those who were city people. Lots of pots, the occasional cream-can, and ceramic drainpipes of different shapes added to the interest. A long narrow garden of mixed size river-stones had just had lavender taken out but remained an attractive feature. In one place a pretty lawn edge was made of plaited rope, and stephanotis over an archway was a picture of delicate white blossom.

As the garden moved further from the house it was not quite so tidy, but was still very interesting for a gardener. Sub-tropicals were used to great effect with bromeliads everywhere. The few kilometres north of our cold Coatesville must have made a big difference to the temperature as frost was obviously not a problem. Cycads, palms, Poor Knights lilies, a huge heliconia and dainty impatiens kept us looking and guessing.

Close to the house was an extensive vegetable garden which would have been an intriguing place for visitors. Nasturtium companion planting, (what for?) celery in pipes, (why?) asparagus fern neatly tied up (what’s that?) The magnificent Kiwi lunch that Barb told us she gave them - roast, garden salad, new potatoes, pavlova etc. – would have demonstrated what a Kiwi farm can yield. It would have been a wonderful experience for overseas guests, showcasing the kind of productive New Zealand farm that we all know, with a natural, down to earth farmer’s wife as hostess. We felt proud to be Kiwis. Our second garden was very different. Courtesy of Owen Aspden who knew the owner, we were taken to the farm of Neil and Sharon Waller at the Kaipara Heads. It was a very historic place that had been owned by pioneer farmer Alfred Buckland in the 1880s. It had been worked by his descendants for four generations, with Neil being the fourth.

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A four and a half kilometre driveway through the farm led us to the clifftop home where Neil and Sharon had brought up their family. A magnificent view of the water, with sweeping lawns dotted with old pohutukawa trees made a nice spot for lunch. The gardens around the house which had been planted by Sharon’s mother, and added to by Sharon, were full of sub-tropicals with bromeliads, dracaenas, yuccas and a lovely, variegated parapara tree. The pink tropical hibiscus garden planted by Sharon’s mother was stunning, and bird of paradise bushes added to the colour. A compact vegetable garden and potting shed fitted neatly into a corner. Neil and Sharon had planted an orchard which, in spite of the light, sandy soil, was thriving. Among some interesting varieties were a quince which had originated from a cutting on an island in the Kaipara Harbour, and a cherimoya which was new to some of us. An enormous apricot produced good crops every year, and crab apple trees looked big and healthy. The proteas Sharon had planted around the orchard obviously liked the soil and would have looked spectacular in full flower, and a magnificent row of huge English oaks planted by Neil’s parents dominated the skyline.

Photo courtesy of Owen Sprosen

There was no large old homestead, and it seems that Alfred Buckland never actually lived there. He built Highwic House closer to the city, using the Kaipara Heads property as a money earning venture. A monster macrocarpa, as tall as a four storey house, and the only existing ancient tree, was a relic from his time. Another historical relic was the original single men’s quarters which had been completely renovated by Neil’s parents, and which was let as an airbnb. The old scrim walls had disappeared, but the lovely old matai floors were still in evidence. This little building really captured our interest, and some intriguing plans were hatched. The long drive into the property gave us a real feeling of isolation, but according to Neil there were always reps or different workers going in and out, and it didn’t seem isolated to them. As children he and his siblings went to a nearby school, but had to negotiate the many gates along the drive to get there (no cattle stops then). He said with considerable feeling that by the time they had decided who was to open which gate it took a long,

LONG time to get out to the road each morning. They were a charming couple who had not previously had visitors to their home, and we really enjoyed it. Thank you Owen for organizing it. Thank you to Liz Rosie for writing this article.

Bloom Board: March

1st: Helen Forsyth, Dahlia 2nd: Erica Lacy, Blood Lily 3rd: Liz Rosie, Frangipani

April: Kumeu Gardens he two gardens visited in the Kumeu area in April which despite their young years of 10 and 14 years respectfully, had the sound foundation

of good design that would last through the generations. The Auld’s Arboretum showcases their passion for exotic trees which although already extensive, is being added to each winter with new plantings. With the abundant source of water all year round from the 250 meter deep bore as well as the tributary to the Kaipara Harbour that flows through the property, the plants needs are well catered for. Tim and Rosemary chose the property for its rich silty soil that served the previous owners (Corban Estate Winery) well. But it is Tim’s expertise as a nurseryman that has ensured the success of the arboretum and the prolific growth of foliage that was abundantly obvious. The autumn and spring displays would prove stunning, however it was the variety of unusual species on show that grabbed our attention.

Ulmus Carpinifolia, Variegated Elm

The vast array of Ginkgo bilobas: Sunbeam with its pendula fan like leaves or the Jade Butterflies with its dark green semi cupped leaves. There were maples, conifers, magnolias, pendula willows, unusual Robinia (pseudocacia, Lacy Lady), variegated elm (ulma

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carpinifolia) as well as a heavenly scented Osmanthus heterophyllus.

Osmanthus heterophyllus

The morning was complemented by a stunning spread for morning tea set up in the main living area of the home. The garden surrounding the home contrasted from the wild planting of the arboretum with its structured hard landscaping of patio areas and the formality of clipped hedges capturing the annual beds in bloom. This is one of those gardens that will only get better as it matures. The last garden on our schedule belonged to the Jennings and featured symmetrical perennial bedding areas set in a backdrop of evergreen elders and hydrangeas. It has been cleverly planted with colour themes and a choice of plants that do not require too much attention. As Rita noted, they are often away for long lengths of time abroad, so the garden just has to be able to stand on its own. The Confederate Rose, Hibiscus Metabulis sat centre stage with its stunning proliferous blooms which begin as white and slowly change colour to a dark pink over a couple of days. These are easy to propagate from cuttings and grow vigorously, so handle being pruned during the winter months.

From here we travelled to Muriwai Golf Club for an organised lunch at the club which overlooked the fairways and the west coast.

Bloom Board: April 1st: Pat Goessi, Snail Plant 2nd: Janina Hopkins, Dahlia 3rd: Dorothy Schultz, Hibiscus

May: Wonderful Waiheke n May 1st we sailed off to wonderful Waiheke. A bus from the hall took care of all our parking problems, and we arrived at the ferry buildings

stress free and looking forward to a fabulous day. And fabulous it was. Our first visit was to Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant. What a magic place. Robyn and Nicholas James, both only in their late twenties, bought the property twenty-five years ago and opened the restaurant seven years later. In that seven years they planted, planted, planted, and the results are a stunning Italian style garden surrounding a house that you would swear was a hundred years old. It was built of mud bricks made on site from local materials and has a wide, wide view right across to Rangitoto and the Sky Tower. Virginia creeper and creeping fig (complete with the strangest bunch of fig-looking fruit) added to the old look. An exposed chimney was beautifully made from the locally quarried sandstone, and we were to see these rocks used as path edgings and, crushed, on the paths themselves, all over the island. The garden around the house was largely olives, some topiarised, and repeated plantings of lavender and rosemary. An outstanding feature was a large bank, about 50m x 40m, planted with the lavender and rosemary in a zigzag pattern. Steps made of sleepers and striking old bricks stamped “New Lynn” led down to an attractive vegetable garden area bright with colourful companion planting. We were particularly taken with the manuka sapling handrails for the steps, and more than one comment was heard “I could do that”. A path behind the house led past more vegetable gardens, a citrus orchard and the vineyard, continuing steeply up to a trig point and a stunning view across the southern part of the island. It was a lovely, lovely place and you had to admire the artistic ability and imagination of the young couple who had created it. Our Waiheke day out was off to a great start. Our next stop was the sculpture park belonging to Kay and Lance Peterson at the intriguingly named Dead Dog Bay. The origin of the name was a bit vague, but

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as you can imagine somewhere, sometime, a dead dog featured. An impressive entrance with corrugated iron sculptures led to a long driveway through steep manuka clad banks. Flaming nyssa sylvatica trees were an indication of the wet nature of the land. We passed an easily recognisable Peter Lange sculpture and others, on the way to where our hostess was waiting for us. They had bought the property in 2005 when it was mainly a wild wetland at the bottom of steep slopes. In the intervening years they had cleared the wetland area of honey suckle and toetoe, but weed control was still a continuing challenge with phytophthera a particular problem. They mulched heavily but still had to spray monthly as a backup. Help one day a week took some of the burden of this work. Because they were at the bottom of a hill excess winter water was always a difficulty, but they had devised various ways to cope with this.

Photo courtesy of Owen Sprosen

Sponsoring a number of artists over the years meant that they were involved in the artistic community, and had been able to build up a collection of work that they particularly liked. Their sculptures were not for sale, but were a permanent exhibition, giving pleasure to them and their visitors. Works by Para Matchitt, Philip Luxton, Fatu Fleur, Louise Pervis and others were part of this collection. Kay led us around the steep, bushclad property explaining what they had done, and identifying each sculpture as we came to it.

Photo courtesy of Owen Sprosen

Lance had made an ‘Alien Village’ to entertain his grandchildren. Several towers of ten or so little wooden houses, all on top of each other, all different and painted in bright primary colours would have been a magnet for them. It was fascinating to look at but for the children probably no touch! His woodshed was a model of ingenuity, designed so that he could pick up the wood with his small digger, keeping himself and the wood dry at the same time. As we wandered back past the pleasant, modern house, the smooth green lawn stood out. Lance told us that it was planted in couch. It certainly made a smart lawn, but apparently it did get into the garden. Kay’s curved sandstone wall fulfilled a long held vision, and in addition helped to divert excess water. Walking back through the wetland we saw several more sculptures, some in the spectacular rusty looking corten steel. A pukeko, matching moas and a very elaborate gate all seemed part of the landscape. All in all, it was a testament to persistent, hard work on a steep, difficult property. It would never be finished, but as we all know that’s what a lifestyle block is all about. Our last visit was to the Rangihoua Estate which produces olive oil. It’s owned by Anne Stanimiraff and Colin Sayles and was so interesting. We learned a lot about olive oil. Their trees had been in production for 20 years and were the first to start producing in the North Island. We were told that in Europe the trees can be a thousand years old. Rangihoua makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil which is the highest quality.

Photo courtesy of Owen Sprosen

A video showed us how the olives were harvested. This involved tarpaulins on the ground under the tree, long handled plastic rakes, and government sponsored Argentinian pickers. After the harvest the trees are pruned ‘until a bird can fly through’. The picked berries are mashed with a multi-wheeled mashing machine, resulting in three separate products. Olive water is sprayed on to the land, and fruit waste is fed to the cattle. The precious oil emerges through a funnel, is

collected in buckets and tipped into a larger container ready for filtering and bottling. This happened at intervals when the machine was full and you had to be watching at the crucial moment to see it. Some of us were lucky and some were looking the wrong way at the wrong time. Bottles are of dark glass to protect the oil from the light, and the best before date is two years from the date of processing. A tasting session followed, and again, was most educational. We sampled oil from two different sorts of olive, nibbled apple slices to ‘clean the palate’ and then tried two more. They all tasted good. Rangihoua will process fruit from other growers. A comprehensive list of instructions re harvesting, storage, delivery etc. made interesting reading. The olives had to be delivered within twenty-four hours of picking, and a bit of pre-sorting of twigs etc. helped. You could bring your own containers if you wanted to. What fun it would be to have your own olive oil, but perhaps the odd tree that our home orchards are likely to have is not quite what they have in mind. Three very different properties made for a really interesting visit. We were lucky with the weather, and the magnificent scenery of the Hauraki Gulf was a bonus. Thank you Owen S for smooth organization and a most enjoyable day. Many thanks to Liz Rosie for writing this wonderful article. Tanya

Bloom Board: May 1st: Joy England, Dahlia 2nd: Susan Haslam, Begonia 3rd: Carol Aspden, Zinnia

NOTICE BOARD

July Meeting: 3rd July

BUMPER TRADE TABLE &

Speaker: Liz Light Time: 11 am

Place: Coatesville Hall To Bring: Lunch & labelled potted and/or wrapped

divided plants, fresh or preserved produce

Bloom Board & Raffle

Bakers Required

July Meeting Contact Jenny Hunter if you would like to bake/bring a

savoury or sweet to accompany the cuppa. p. 094210725

e. rhpositive@slingshot.co.nz

AUGUST MEETING

Jack Hobbs on wild flowers of Outer Mongolia & Siberia Date: 7th August

Time: 11 am To bring: Finger Food for shared lunch

Bloom Board, Raffle