Kingston's Colemans go native

Gardening group gathers to enjoy lakeside beauties

ROOM TO GROW: Lancewoods planted about 20 years ago are now a living feature of the much-used patio at the Colemans' Kingston home.

NEW MASS PLANTING: The bright-yellow seeds of the native orchid, just one of Mr Coleman's innovative projects.

AUTUMNAL FRAME: With hazelnuts at the rear and vegetables to the side, the garden that runs down to the Kingston Creek is almost screened by native plantings. Mr Coleman's position indicates the garden's gradient.

SUNNY NOOK: Mr Coleman with a native geranium, one of many that flourishes in their garden without fuss. I brought one home to try here at Wick.

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Winter has arrived prematurely. Snow to low levels has put gardening activity temporarily on hold and, while I had been looking forward to a break after much vigorous cutting back and pea strawing, this is not the sort of break I had envisaged

It is much too early. Gardeners are a difficult breed to please but at least bulbs will be getting all the right messages.

I have found the trees interesting this autumn. Some shed their leaves quickly while others, for example, a line of birches along our southern boundary, have hardly turned at all.

I have a hit-list of things to do, such as sowing sweet peas and planting shallots and garlic. I usually plant the sweet peas in trays and keep them in the glasshouse for transplanting later when their root systems are properly developed. This year I have chosen two varieties from the Hammett Collection, Patricia Ann and Brilliant Fragrance. I am determined to have a proper sweet-pea frame for this coming season; it really is half the battle when regularly growing sweet peas. I want a wooden frame with fine wire that enables the peas to get proper support right from the word go. Theoretically, garlic is supposed to be planted on the shortest day; it doesn't work quite like that here as ground conditions are often totally unsuitable. I usually have the beds prepared and plant as near as possible to the time, give or take a week or two.

Last week I was invited to the Kingston Gardening Group's gathering at the home of Elizabeth and Dusty Coleman. The group is an informal one and its primary function is to swap information and the odd plant with the added attraction of a social get-together for the town's gardening enthusiasts. As the gardening season is nearing its end there was a good turnout (and a delicious afternoon tea) at the couple's Churchill St home. Their garden is focused on the cultivation of a wide variety of New Zealand natives, some of which were totally unfamiliar to me. I do not pretend to be knowledgeable on the subject, although I acknowledge that native plants, shrubs and trees are now an integral part of many gardens.

The Colemans' garden has been more than two decades in the making. Although Kingston's climate is more benign than areas further inland, plants nevertheless take years to mature.

An added attraction of the couple's garden is the Kingston Creek that runs along its boundary. The vegetable plot is situated near the creek, as are plantings of established hazelnuts and raspberry canes.

Because of clever landscaping this area is virtually screened, giving the ground surrounding the house its distinctive native flavour. Particularly eye-catching are three lancewoods that seem to burst through the patio. Planted about 20 years ago when the house was little more than a crib, they took pride of place as extensions were added. Other examples of Mr Coleman's rustic woodworking skills, plus strategically placed pots, driftwood and stones make this garden setting both inviting and unique.

The Kingston group meets next on June 10 (1pm to 4pm) for a demonstration of compost making, facilitated by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. It will be held at the home of Marion and Ron Archer.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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