On my mission of discovery and research to learn more about the aquilegia world, I have met many beautiful subjects of it this spring. I was intrigued to see dark-stemmed specimens with petals ranging from ombre sunset to the blackest of blues. Showstoppers included circus-like, bi-coloured giants that, as my friend pointed out, resembled flying fish across a planting.
Read on to learn more about this tough but beautiful specimens!

My entry into gardening was led by my visual needs and design experience - while many find their way into growing with the desire to provide their own food. Vegetable gardening on its own is by no means more noble and perhaps misguided…..

As a non-gardener I think I thought euphorbia was ugly - now I see the variety of form and colour these resilient plants bring to a spring garden!

I much prefer to edit out eager self seeding plants then foreign unattractive weeds! Here are the plants making themselves at home in the spring flush….invited in or not!

After investigating the beautiful flowers used in Queen Elizabeth’s funeral wreath, I delved further into the emotive, sentimental qualities of plants, how they connect us to our past and act as living heirlooms.

The one sure thing I have learned in my gardening adventure is that my most valuable sources of information and inspiration have been found in other people’s gardens. I’ve keenly investigated planted spaces belonging to both my family and friends as well as those created by deeply invested gardeners who open their spaces to the public. Within this latter group are gardeners that have decided to undertake the challenges involved in assessment to be a rated member of the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

Click through to learn more about this organisation and the gateway it provides us to visit extraordinary gardens.

I very much get swept up in the season’s first blossom. Read on to learn about “prunus” and the fleeting beauty of flowering trees that urges us forward.

When you find the slightest inkling to start a garden, you’re then naturally confronted with a task you know nothing about! I share my own discovery of gardening and canvas my audience for their barriers AND discoveries once going. This is a great one to share with non-gardening friends!