Latest news with #FriendsoftheDunedinBotanicGarden
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Plant sale takes year-round preparation
Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden prepare for Saturday's plant sale. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Every year in May, the Friends of the Botanic Garden group holds its annual autumn plant sale. Work for the next sale begins again as soon as one sale is finished. Members start by assessing what is left over. Is the plant worth holding on to? Can it be revitalised with a repot and prune? Or is it time for this plant to be composted and the pot recycled? Seeds and cuttings of trees, shrubs and native plants that were propagated a few years ago have been grown on. Throughout the year the group of volunteers regularly meets to propagate, prune and repot plants for their shop and sales. Plants grown from seed of Piper excelsum, kawakawa, sown last year, hardwood cuttings of hydrangea taken last winter and seedlings of kauri and totara, donated a few years ago are now all looking great. The month before the sale is the busy one, deciding what plants are ready for sale. Weeding and tidying is an ongoing job while labelling and pricing takes a couple of days. The Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden sale is generously supported by donations from local nurseries such as Blueskin Nurseries, Ribbonwood Nurseries and Blue Mountain Nurseries. Collecting these plants and preparing them for the sale means a busy few days. An autumn plant sale means many of the plants are no longer in flower and may be dying down for winter. Unlike a garden centre, every sale plant won't have an informative description label with a coloured photo. The upside of this is less plastic. There are always knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions. The sale is on tomorrow at the Dunedin Botanic Garden propagation facility in Lovelock Ave, from 9am-noon. Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For more details, contact Alice Lloyd-Fitt
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
A taste of ‘Brasil'
Dunedin Botanic Garden's plant sale is a great opportunity to green your indoor spaces, writes Alisha Sherriff. Philodendron species have long held a special place in the hearts of house plant enthusiasts. With their forgiving nature, broad green leaves, and ability to adapt to a variety of indoor conditions, they are often considered "fail-proof" for both novices and seasoned plant parents. Among the many beautiful varieties, one stands out for its vibrant charm — the Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'. This eye-catching plant is a variegated form of the classic Heartleaf Philodendron, instantly recognisable by its striking green and lime-yellow streaked leaves. Named 'Brasil' for its resemblance to the Brazilian flag, this cultivar brings a tropical burst of colour into homes. While some Philodendron varieties thrive easily indoors across New Zealand, the 'Brasil' can pose a slight challenge in cooler climates such as Dunedin. However, with a little attention to its specific needs, growing it successfully is far from impossible. The 'Brasil' prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its vivid colouring, though it will tolerate lower light conditions at the cost of some of its variegation. Like most Philodendrons, it appreciates a warm, humid environment, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and a well-draining potting mix. It's best kept away from draughts or cold windowsills, particularly during Dunedin's colder months. An occasional wipe of its leaves not only keeps it looking lush but also helps the plant photosynthesise more easily. Given the right care, Philodendron 'Brasil' is a stunning indoor plant that adds a tropical vibe to any space. For those keen to add this beauty to their collection, the Dunedin Botanic Garden May plant sale offers an excellent opportunity. Taking place on Saturday, May 17, 9am until noon, the annual event has been a highlight on the city's horticultural calendar for decades. Organised by the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden, the May plant sale is not just a fundraiser — it's a fun community gathering that celebrates the shared passion for plants. The Friends of the Garden, a dedicated volunteer group, have lovingly propagated 0 'Brasil' for the past two years in preparation for this year's sale. Thanks to their care and expertise, visitors will be able to buy the plants potted in hanging baskets — perfect for displaying their trailing vines in style. The plant sale has a long history of offering plants that have deep connections to the garden's impressive collections. Plants available on the day originate from the extensive borders and themed gardens that weave through the botanic garden's landscape, including rare and unusual varieties not commonly found in retail nurseries. All funds raised through the sale go directly into supporting projects and initiatives at the garden, helping to maintain and enhance this community treasure. Pro tips: bring cash on the day to avoid queues for the eftpos machine and arrive early so you don't miss out on the plant you want. Another much-loved indoor favourite that will feature at the plant sale is Hoya Apocynaceae . Commonly called "waxplants" or "waxflowers" because of their thick, leathery leaves and star-shaped flower clusters arranged in umbels, Hoya are perfect for anyone who loves a low-maintenance houseplant that can put on a good show. The classic Hoya carnosa is one of the most common and reliable species to grow indoors. It's a trailing vine that thrives in bright direct or indirect light and doesn't mind being root-bound — in fact, it prefers it. This makes it ideal for hanging pots, shelves, or trailing down from a high spot. When it's happy, it will reward you with beautiful clusters of starry flowers that smell incredible, especially in the evening. What's interesting about Hoya flowers is how they bloom. The plant produces them from little umbels on the peduncle. These are permanent structures that the plant will flower from again and again. So, if your Hoya has finished blooming, don't remove these — they're not dead stems, they're flower factories in waiting! The longer or bigger the peduncle, the older (and usually more impressive) the plant. When the flowers open, they ooze a sticky, sugary nectar — not something to worry about, but maybe don't hang your plant directly above the TV or couch. The scent can be sweet or even pungent depending on the species, especially at night. This is likely the plant's way of attracting night-time pollinators. Alongside Hoya carnosa , the plant sale will have a range of other Hoya species available: Hoya obovata : This one has big, round leaves that are often splashed with silvery spots. It's a bit of a slow starter but really takes off once it settles in. Hoya pubicalyx : A fast-growing variety with long, narrow leaves and gorgeous dark purple to deep red flowers. It has a strong fragrance that can fill a room in the evening. Hoya serpens : A tiny gem with small, fuzzy leaves and light green flowers with red centres. It comes from the Himalayas, so can handle cooler indoor temps. I have struggled with this one for years but love it so much I keep trying to grow it. Hoya krinkle 8 : A twist on the classic carnosa, this one has wrinkly, crinkled leaves and trails beautifully. Not seen much these days. Hoyas are such a classic indoor plant — a good indoor plant collection isn't complete without at least one example. In New Zealand we have a limited number of species available, so it is always exciting when an unusual species turns up at the local garden centre. I am always on the hunt.
