Christchurch and Wellington Botanic Gardens

[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.

An impressive copper beech

Clouds threatening but the rain held off

Rhododendrons in flower

Good rockery area

[MikeT]

There were some glasshouses. This one's for assorted flowers, you may spot the Kalanchoes (Flaming Katy's) on the right.

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

[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...)

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 flowers

[MikeT]

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 before

[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.

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 parking

[TheEconomist]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting.