Plant profile | Rengarenga (Arthropodium cirratum)
Peter Langlands’ guide to one of New Zealand’s unique native plants - Rengarenga.
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Articles—
Plants
Here you’ll find an array of botanical information. Plant profiles, origin stories, obscure facts and practical tips for growing and harvesting plants.
13 Low-growing perennial plants for your garden border
Perennial border plants are hardworking horticultural heroes - they anchor a garden, providing structure and character to the ever-changing canvas of your garden beds. Here are 13 of our favourites...
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How to grow & dry flowers for dried flower arrangements
The complete guide to dried flowers: How to grow, dry & arrange with dried flowers. Including three unique dried flower projects you can work on using the dried florals from your garden.
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How to find and identify fungi forms
The macro fungi we have here in Aotearoa — the big fungi you
can see with your own eyes — come in many different forms. Here's a list of 12 of the big groups to get you started.
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Propagating plants: How to propagate perennials by division
Dividing perennials is an easy and cost-effective method of propagation. It’s also a key strategy for maintaining the health and vitality of your perennials.
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11 Annuals for Spring: Colourful Blooming Flowers for Spring
As we leave the frost of winter behind, and breathe in the fresh, pollinated air of spring, adding some spring-flowering annuals will refresh your garden for this lively season ahead.
Growing Potatoes: How to Plant, Grow & Harvest Potatoes
We’ve put together a potato growing guide with essential steps and know-how to successfully plant, grow and harvest your very own potatoes in your home garden. Let's dig in!
How to Grow & Care for Peonies
PAEONIA (Peony / Peony rose) — A spring flowering staple. The timeless allure of peonies makes them a brilliant choice for your garden. If you follow the right advice, growing peonies should be an easy and rewarding undertaking.
18 Flowering perennials that bloom all summer long
There is something magical about a summer garden that boasts colour, texture, wild-life and long-lasting florals. One of the best (and easiest ways) to achieve this is with perennials — and particularly perennials that flower all summer long.
34 Drought-tolerant plants for dry gardens
By early summer in some gardens you may struggle to keep your plants from becoming victims to dry soil and severe drought, especially if they are new plants or plants with lots of new growth. Find out what will thrive in the garden in drought conditions…
How to Grow & Care for Hellebores (Winter Roses)
HELLEBORE (Lenten or Winter Rose) — A winter-hardy shade perennial that is easy to grow and blooms prolifically late winter to early spring. A must-have in all winter gardens.
HOW YOU BREED: Cymbidium Orchids
Orchids are probably the oldest cultivated flowers in the world and are used in many cultures as a flower that represents value. Green orchids symbolise good health, long life and strength, while white orchids symbolise innocence, elegance and respect. They are a flower of substance and are really long lasting.
Foraging for: SUMAC
Sumac has a long culinary history in the Middle East. Ground sumac is sprinkled over all manner of food. Olivia Sisson shares her story of finding and foraging this tart delight.
Plant Types — Perennials, Annuals & Biennials
Having a broad understanding of plant types will unlock your creativity and pathways to further knowledge. Learn about the difference between perennials, annuals and biennials…
— Extracted from Petal Power by Julia Atkinson-Dunn
How to grow — Verbena Bonariensis
VERBENA BONARIENSIS — A tall airy perennial with long cylindrical stems, sparse leaves and tightly clustered violet flowers. Written by Julia Atkinson-Dunn, Petal Power
How to grow figs | A guide to planting, caring & harvesting figs
Your guide to planting, caring and harvesting figs.
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How to Grow: Strawberries
Strawberries are super easy to grow and harvest, taking up little space in your garden. They are a ground cover plant and spread rapidly with their runners.
How to Grow: Cane fruit (Raspberries, boysenberries & blackberries)
Raspberries, boysenberries and blackberries are all members of the Rubus family, also referred to as ‘cane fruit’.
How to grow & care for coriander
Arguably the most polarising of herbs. While some are mad about this lemony addition to dishes, others are utterly perturbed by its presence. Whatever your preference, there are a few tricks to growing it successfully through the seasons.
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Plant profile | Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa)
John Dawson’s guide to one of New Zealand’s unique native plants - Pōhutukawa.
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Plant profile | Tītoki (Alectryon excelsus)
John Dawson’s guide to one of New Zealand’s unique native plants - Tītoki.
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Plant profile | Kawakawa (Piper excelsum subspecies. excelsum)
John Dawson’s guide to one of New Zealand’s unique native plants - Kawakawa.
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How to Grow: TANGELO
This messy-to-eat citrus fruit is known for its juicy flesh, and balance of sweet and tart flavours - the culmination of its mandarin and grapefruit relatives. They have few pips and most varieties are easy to peel.
