What’s in the Shops?

Seasonal show-off
Coprosma ‘Rainbow Surprise’ has bold, cream and green variegated summer foliage that turns hot pink to red and olive green in autumn, winter and early spring. It grows in most soils and in a wide range of conditions, but avoid wet
feet and extreme frost. Bushy habit. H1.5m.

Star quality
Ornithogalum dubium ‘Zulu Dawn’ is a cultivar of a perennial bulb native to South Africa. It produces densely packed spikes up to 15cm from winter to spring. It is long flowering and will reflower if spent blooms are removed. Best in a frost-free, sunny spot and well drained soil, either in containers or beds. H30cm x50cm.

Winter warmth
The flower buds of Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’ start to appear in winter, open to white-tinted blooms in spring, then are followed by blue berries. The evergreen foliage is dense and glossy. Likes sun or part shade and prefers rich free-draining soil but tolerates most conditions. H 1.5m x 1.3m.

Burmese beauty
This large planter with its celadon glaze and koru-like motif began its journey from Myanmar (Burma) to Gisborne on a horse-drawn cart. it is flanked here by various palms, including a Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) and a dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor). They reach 30m and 1.5m, respectively.

Berried treasure
Pentapterygium ‘Scarlet Imp’ (syn. Agapetes) forms an evergreen, compact, but spreading shrub with long, arching branches. Its red, spring and summer, pendulous flowers are followed by berries.
Enjoys shelter from very heavy frost, well-drained, humus-rich acid soil and some afternoon shade in summer.

Desirable
Hebe ‘Wiri Desire’ was bred by Auckland Botanic Gardens curator-manager Jack Hobbs. It sports masses of deep pink flowers during autumn on bronze flushed foliage that matures to matt green. Excellent for open sunny areas including coastal conditions. Plant in moist, well-drained soil. H1 x W1m.

Coastal charmer
This variegated form of Australia’s coastal rosemary, Westringia fruticosa ‘Smokey’, has small evergreen leaves. It can used for medium-height hedging and once established will withstand drought and seaside conditions. Protect from heavy frost. H2m x W1.75m.

Aussie cheer
This compact, spreading, Australian-bred Federation daisy, Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Sugar Cheer’ has double blooms that open dark pink then fade through mid-pink to softer tones. It needs sun, protection from heavy frost and free-draining soil. H60cm.

Fine vine
Mandevilla sanderi ‘My Fair Lady’ (syn Dipladenia sanderi) is a small climber that flowers from late spring to late autumn. It prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position in sun or part shade, well away from frost. Ideal for patio tubs. Prune lightly for a bushy plant. H2-4m.

Shady character
This variegated of the evergreen birdcatcher tree (Pisonia umbellifera variegata) has very large leaves that brighten any shady sheltered spot. It produces small, scented whitish flowers in terminal clusters, followed by sticky seeds that can trap and kill small birds if not removed. H 3m.

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