Page 1 of 2

Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:23 pm
by MikeT
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.
IMG_0676.JPG
An impressive copper beech
IMG_0689.JPG
Clouds threatening but the rain held off
IMG_0690.JPG
Rhododendrons in flower
IMG_0700.JPG
Good rockery area
IMG_0691.JPG
IMG_0693.JPG
IMG_0695.JPG
IMG_0698.JPG
IMG_0696.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:36 pm
by MikeT
There were some glasshouses. This one's for assorted flowers, you may spot the Kalanchoes (Flaming Katy's) on the right.
IMG_0685.JPG
Peperomias among ferns in the shaded area
IMG_0683.JPG
IMG_0684.JPG
There is a cactus area, on one side plants seem to be planted in the ground
IMG_0688.JPG
On the other side of the path, the plants are in pots sunk into sand, well protected behind glass
IMG_0687.JPG
Most of the labels were correct, though some errors.
This Opuntia had welcomed spring and started into growth
IMG_0686.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:08 pm
by MikeT
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...)
IMG_1546.JPG
IMG_1512.JPG
The garden makes good use of the hillside site
IMG_1534.JPG
IMG_1541.JPG
IMG_1542.JPG
Not too hilly to find a place for a lake
IMG_1540.JPG
and lots of foliage colour...
IMG_1539.JPG
..and flowers
IMG_1545.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:14 pm
by MikeT
As you might guess, this was the main area of interest
IMG_1527.JPG
There was a reasonable sized outdoor planting. Most plants were healthy, and a fair proportion named.
IMG_1531.JPG
IMG_1514.JPG
lots of polyphylla
IMG_1515.JPG
IMG_1519.JPG
Plenty of foliage colour, Senecio & Aeonium
IMG_1518.JPG
Some areas looked to be recently planted, and a bit bare
IMG_1517.JPG
Other parts well established though not overgrown
IMG_1526.JPG
I rather liked this Crassula ovata, not a variegate I've seen before
IMG_1521.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:45 pm
by MikeT
This is labelled Crassula multicarva. Looks like the plant seen in some gardens in Melbourne. The photographer fails to do it justice, quite pretty.
IMG_1524.JPG
Nice to have the climate to use Echeverias like these as bedding
IMG_1522.JPG
IMG_1520.JPG
IMG_1523.JPG
Some Agave potatorum enjoying a well drained spot
IMG_1530.JPG
IMG_1533.JPG
Away from the cactus & succulent garden, Kalanchoe pumila decorating a hanging basket
IMG_1543.JPG
Then it was back up the hill to the car park, and a coffee in the cafe before leaving
IMG_1544.JPG
Well worth a visit if you're in Wellington, even if you're not having trouble parking

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 10:40 pm
by TheEconomist
Nice pictures, thanks for posting.

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:41 am
by eduart2
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.
DSC05471.JPG
DSC05501.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:44 am
by eduart2
DSC03762.JPG
DSC03765.JPG
DSC03766.JPG
DSC03767.JPG
DSC03768.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:48 am
by eduart2
DSC03776.JPG
DSC03788.JPG
DSC03787.JPG
DSC03796.JPG
DSC03832.JPG

Re: Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:54 am
by eduart2
DSC03803.JPG
DSC03824.JPG
DSC03846.JPG
DSC03849.JPG
DSC03858.JPG