It’s sometimes hard to imagine that our country was once covered in native forest comprising thousands of plant species, from the lush rainforests of the West Coast to the majestic podocarp forests of the east coast.
Sadly, many of these ecosystems o longer remain today but our plants, rees, ferns, grasses, perennials and mosses re among the most diverse and interesting n the planet, with 70 percent or more of hem unique to Aotearoa.
Maori have lived with a deep connection o the country’s plant life, which has ustained, healed, clothed and sheltered them for centuries. But early settlers longing for a taste of home introduced many foreign species, which changed the landscape considerably.
Not surprisingly, the plants of Aotearoa have long been prized by botanists, gardeners and horticulturalists around the world. In my travels, I always felt proud to be Kiwi when I saw our native plants being used abroad, from our iconic pohutakawa lining streets in Manhattan Beach in California to our lush tree fern displays that pop up often at the Chelsea Flower Show and the iconic cabbage trees/ti kouka that frequent landscapes all over Europe.
Thankfully, in recent years New Zealanders have begun to appreciate our flora more and recent conservation efforts by iwi and government-led initiatives such as the One Billion Trees programme and riparian plantings have made a significant dent in the amount of native plant species being replanted, where they always belonged.
Over the past 30 years as a landscaper and gardener I’ve planted countless plants, both native and exotic. As a self-diagnosed plantaholic and proud Kiwi it is our wonderful native plants that I am increasingly finding more appropriate and exciting to grow.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2022-Ausgabe von Your Home and Garden.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2022-Ausgabe von Your Home and Garden.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
GET MERRY
Everyone will go crackers about these festive dinner favourites and the delicious trimmings
A brief history of...The Lips sofa
How to straighten up and free yourself from negative behaviour patterns
BREAKING BAD HABITS
How to straighten up and free yourself from negative behaviour patterns
MOMENTS of JOY
Sue Pat's whimsical stationery cleverly captures the wonders of Christmas
GIFTS of the EARTH
An excerpt from garden and interior designer Michael Mansvelt's longawaited book Everyday Opulence
All WHITE NOW
A fresh, coastal take on the classic white Christmas starts with a backdrop of relaxed vintage style. On top, layer shades of white from rich cream to crisp snow, offset by foraged shells and coastal flora also spray painted in white, then worked into wreaths and other essential festive decor elements.
COASTAL CHRISTMAS
A writer is all about enjoying a cruisy, coastal celebration with family and friends
Happy place
A shed on the garden's edge became healing renovation project
ALL IS BRIGHT
Colour is key in Kip&Co co-founder Alex McCabe's vibrant home over the holidays
BOLD & ECLECTIC
In an excerpt from The Makers, writer Pandora Sykes' home is a cosy and chic statement in fearlessness with colour and patterns