New Zealand, South Island October 2015

[fermi de Sousa]

Some of Dave's troughs
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Dave had mentioned on the Forum that he was making new beds where a grassy/mossy "lawn" had been; here are a few pics:
I wonder if this parking space out front will be there on our next visit?
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

Could this be Fritillaria pyrenaica?

 Yes, it is.

I wonder if this parking space out front will be there on our next visit

 I doubt it!   

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Maggi,
Thanks for your confirmation
Just a few more from Dave's:
Another view of the new beds;
Cherry & white Rhododendron
Picotee trillium
Nice PC Iris
A last look out front!
cheers
fermi

[David Nicholson]

Nice garden at Chez Toole.

[fermi de Sousa]

Nice garden at Chez Toole.

David,
I can attest the quality of the accomodation as well - book early!
Dave took us to visit his friend Betty who has a suburban block jammed-pack with plants, a fair bit of whimsy and an adorable old Scottie!
Simples!
Pea flower - possibly Lotus tetragonobolus
Magnolia and cherry over spring bulbs;
A large flowered Sophora
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Some clematis in Betty's garden;
I think the first 3 are NZ native species or hybrids while the last 2 are of C. alpina
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

A couple of other climbers :
Tropaeoleum tricolor x2
Eccremocarpus scaber
A shrubby daphne?
Farewell to Betty with Dave and Will
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Dave next took us to visit Joy and Stewart who some forumists will have met at the Alpines 2011 and the 2013 Czech RG Conferences.
They had recently moved to this house and are slowly developing the garden.
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Gentians & tulips x2
Gentiana verna alba
Gentiana acaulis
Tulipa batalini (red)
cheers
fermi

[Gabriela]

Thank you for taking the time to post all these wonderful pictures Fermi. I would have never imagined, as Robert said, such lush gardens in New Zealand.
It is blow minding for me to see these gardens with Trilliums, Paris, Vancouveria and so on, growing together with NZ natives and many other more tender species!

[johnw]

Perhaps someone would be able to provide a name for this purple ("blue") rhododendron,  cheers fermi

Fermi -  Sorry for the slow response the computer is back and upgraded so no more annoying internet & browsing snags.  From the habit and markings I'd say the rhodo is most likely the old British hybrid or grex 'Russatinii' (russatum x augustinii), a thoroughly dependable and lovely one for spots with cool summers and soils.

A lovely day here circa 42F, sunny and no wind. Did I say no wind?

johnw

[fermi de Sousa]

Thank you for taking the time to post all these wonderful pictures Fermi. I would have never imagined, as Robert said, such lush gardens in New Zealand.
It is blow minding for me to see these gardens with Trilliums, Paris, Vancouveria and so on, growing together with NZ natives and many other more tender species!

Thanks, Gabriela,
it is taking a bit of time to get this done - hopefully I can finish before we get away again!
Back to Joy and Stewart's place:
Some fritillaria and other bulbs in the poly-tunnel
Yellow Frit in poly-tunnel
Yellow frit outside
South American Oxalis sp
Lithodora & 'Manuka'
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

A couple of iris at Joy and Stewart's:
I think this is Iris lacustris
Is this Iris lactea or a short Iris missouriensis or something else?
Finally a Podophyllum - something else I have no hope of growing in the garden here!
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Dave next took us to see the local "Botanic Gardens" - Queens Park:
A knock-out display of yellow tulips at the entrance
A welcome sign
On a high pedestal: art or paleontology?
cheers
fermi