It’s that time of year again when I hit the road to visit our ex-situ partner gardens, checking in on the plants they’re growing on our behalf and delivering a few more.
Pukeiti gardener Scott discussing vireya rhododendrons with Thomas Nance and Albert Blumhardt at Whangarei Quarry Garden. Photo: Andrew Brooker
The project now spans 12 sites, from Kerikeri to Gore and east to Galatea in the Bay of Plenty. To date, we’ve distributed around 900 plants, replicating the Pukeiti collection by placing them where the microclimate suits them best.
To date, we’ve distributed around 900 plants, replicating the Pukeiti collection by placing them where the microclimate suits them best.
Spring is the ideal time for this work. As soil temperatures rise, new plantings can establish strong roots before the stress of summer heat. Our network now covers an impressive range of climates, from the subtropical north in Kerikeri, Whangārei and Auckland, to the foothills of Mt Hutt and as far south as Gore. This diversity broadens the scope of what we can grow and makes the Taranaki Regional Gardens an important contributor to global rhododendron conservation.
Another exciting step has been introducing members of the Pukeiti team to the wider network. This year, Scott and Stephan joined me on the road, gaining a deeper appreciation of the value and reach of the work we’re doing together.