I visited Christchurch Botanic Gardens at the end of last October, so spring in New Zealand.
Christchurch itself seemed rather surreal. The February 2011 earthquake destroyed much of the city. Many buildings are still standing but dangerous with access forbidden, some blocks are just piles of rubble, but most blocks have been cleared, and are flattened empty sites. Some damaged buildings (mainly buildings of historical interest) are propped up with scaffolding. The Restart shopping area consists of shipping containers converted into shops and even a bank.
The Botanic Garden is a modest size, pleasant to walk around, though not a vast amount to see.
An impressive copper beech
Clouds threatening but the rain held off
Rhododendrons in flower
Good rockery area
Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
- MikeT
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Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
Mike T
Sheffield Branch
BCSS member26525
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- MikeT
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Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
There were some glasshouses. This one's for assorted flowers, you may spot the Kalanchoes (Flaming Katy's) on the right.
This Opuntia had welcomed spring and started into growth
Peperomias among ferns in the shaded area
There is a cactus area, on one side plants seem to be planted in the ground
On the other side of the path, the plants are in pots sunk into sand, well protected behind glass Most of the labels were correct, though some errors.This Opuntia had welcomed spring and started into growth
Last edited by MikeT on Mon Dec 21, 2015 8:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mike T
Sheffield Branch
BCSS member26525
Sheffield Branch
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- MikeT
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Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
Touring New Zealand, we arrived at Wellington on 11 November, so spring well under way. Problems finding a carpark that the Campervan could fit into led to driving round and round, until finding a parking area at the top entrance to the Wellington Botanic Garden. The garden is on a slope, and can be accessed via a funicular railway from the city centre near sea level (if you can find anywhere to park down there...)
The garden makes good use of the hillside site
Not too hilly to find a place for a lake
and lots of foliage colour...
..and flowersMike T
Sheffield Branch
BCSS member26525
Sheffield Branch
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- MikeT
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Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
As you might guess, this was the main area of interest
There was a reasonable sized outdoor planting. Most plants were healthy, and a fair proportion named. lots of polyphylla
Plenty of foliage colour, Senecio & Aeonium
Some areas looked to be recently planted, and a bit bare
Other parts well established though not overgrown
I rather liked this Crassula ovata, not a variegate I've seen beforeMike T
Sheffield Branch
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Sheffield Branch
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- MikeT
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Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
This is labelled Crassula multicarva. Looks like the plant seen in some gardens in Melbourne. The photographer fails to do it justice, quite pretty.
Nice to have the climate to use Echeverias like these as bedding
Some Agave potatorum enjoying a well drained spot
Away from the cactus & succulent garden, Kalanchoe pumila decorating a hanging basket
Then it was back up the hill to the car park, and a coffee in the cafe before leaving
Well worth a visit if you're in Wellington, even if you're not having trouble parkingMike T
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Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens
I never went to see Christchurch Botanic Gardens. When I visited Christchurch for the first time in back in 2008 I had actually a very tight schedule, with meeting after meeting, and only few hours when I was able to see the city - and that was typically in the late hours of the day. However, on the day I had to leave I spared two hours to see the gardens.... but anyway, something else happened and I missed it.
In 2016 I spent a week in Christchurch - mainly to see Banks Peninsula - but even five years after the deadly earthquake from February 2011 the city was quite in a disarray so to speak, with many signs of the passed earthquake which didn't want to see. I loved Christchurch city back in 2008 and I intended to keep it in my mind as it used to be. So I gave a pass.
But Wellington is a different story. Apart from the city, which is loaded with real history, I went to see its naturalized succulent vegetation and of course the Botanic Gardens as well.
In 2016 I spent a week in Christchurch - mainly to see Banks Peninsula - but even five years after the deadly earthquake from February 2011 the city was quite in a disarray so to speak, with many signs of the passed earthquake which didn't want to see. I loved Christchurch city back in 2008 and I intended to keep it in my mind as it used to be. So I gave a pass.
But Wellington is a different story. Apart from the city, which is loaded with real history, I went to see its naturalized succulent vegetation and of course the Botanic Gardens as well.