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New Zealand Rhododendron association (inc.)

NZRA Conference 2012,

From the Mountains to the Sea

NZRA Conference 2012

The Mid Canterbury-Selwyn ward extend an invitation to all NZRA members and associates to attend conference 2012.

The ward includes iconic landscapes, (Lord of the Rings) and many gardens of significance. It is bounded by the Southern Alps, the Pacific Ocean, and the Rangitata River to the south and the Selwyn County to the north.

Christchurch International Airport is sited on the northern boundary of the ward.

Planning is under way and details of dates and venue will be advised in the next NZRA Newsletter and Bulletin, and this website.

Enquires to NZRA Council member Kathryn Millar 03 324 2511, <wendrum@xtra.co.nz>

Text Box: New Zealand Rhododendron Association 66th Annual Conference Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 October 2010 ‘A Different World’ Alexandra - Cromwell Wanaka – Hawea Arrowtown – Queenstown REGISTRATION INFORMATION NZRA 66th Annual Conference Central Otago/Lakes District – 26–29 October 2010 ‘A Different World’ NZRA members from Alexandra, Wanaka and Queenstown look forward to welcoming you to the first NZRA Conference based in Wanaka and the Central Otago/Lakes District. You will enjoy trips to Alexandra, Cromwell, Wanaka, Hawea, Arrowtown and Queenstown, visit wonderful gardens of varying size and form set in spectacular surroundings, listen to knowledgeable speakers and informative presentations, view the unique scenic beauty, historical sites, vineyards and orchards, taste the local fruits, wine and food, smell the native thyme and wildflowers … and of course, check out the RHODODENDRONS! However, a good level of fitness is required and we strongly recommend to anyone who requires mobility assistance, to please arrange to have a carer with you to assist at all times. Unfortunately, due to limited venue space available, delegate numbers will be restricted to 200, so please register early. CONFERENCE VENUE – LAKE WANAKA CENTRE The Lake Wanaka Centre is located at 89 Ardmore Street, opposite the Information Centre and Lake Wanaka. Built from natural timbers and local stacked stone, the complex is set within landscaped grounds adjacent to the clear waters of Bullock Creek. It is within easy walking distance of all conference accommodation listed below. BLOOM DISPLAY A Bloom Display will be held at the Lake Wanaka Centre and we invite you to bring entries for this. Delegates will be able to view the blooms on the opening evening and throughout the conference. Vases, cards, etc will be available from 1.00 pm on Tuesday 26 October at the conference venue. The Southland Rhododendron Group will supervise the display. PLANT AUCTION A Silent Plant Auction will be held during the conference with the proceeds going to NZRA special projects. Any donations of plants would be welcome. ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION If you have not yet booked your accommodation, we suggest any of the following. They are all within comfortable walking distance of the venue, Lake Wanaka Centre. Buses will collect delegates each morning at the waterfront Information Centre (opposite the conference venue) and return them there at the end of the day. MOTELS ì Brookvale E: info@brookvale.co.nz FP: 0800 438 333 P: 03 443 8333 F: 03 443 9040 ì Archway Motels E: stay@archwaymotels.co.nz FP: 0800 427 249 P: 03 443 7698 F: 03 443 8642 ì Wanaka Heights E: wanakaheightsmotel@callplus.net.nz P: 03 443 1944 F: 03 443 1943 ì Alpine Motels & Apartments alpinemotel@lakewanaka.co.nz FP: 0800 822 284 P: 03 443 7950 F: 03 443 9031 ì Bella Vista E: info@bvwanaka.co.nz P: 03 443 6066 F: 03 443 6067 LODGES ì Clearbrook E: relax@clearbrook.co.nz FP: O800 443 441 P: 03 443 4413 F: 03 443 1660 ì Lake Wanaka Lodge E: stay@lakewanakalodge.co.nz FP: 0508 443 929 P: 03 443 9294 F: 03 443 9296 APARTMENTS ì The Moorings E: host@themoorings.co.nz FP: 0800 843 666 P: 03 443 8476 F: 03 443 8489 ì Belvedere E: mail@wanakaholidays.co.nz P: 03 443 6969 F: 03 443 6869 LUXURY BED & BREAKFAST ì Te Wanaka Lodge E: info@tewanaka.co.nz P: 03 443 9224 F: 03 443 9246 ì Lakeside Apartments E: info@lakesidewanaka.co.nz FP: 0800 002 211 P: 03 443 0188 F: 03 443 0189 BACKPACKERS ì Purple Cow E: stay@purplecow.co.nz P: 03 443 1880 F: 03 443 1870 ì Matterhorn E: matterhorn@xtra.co.nz P: 03 443 1119 F: 03 443 8379 The above businesses will offer a discount to those attending the conference if this is mentioned when you book. You are welcome to book elsewhere but will be responsible for your own transport to and from the Conference Centre. FREE EVENING Wednesday 27 October - delegates have a free evening. Should you wish to dine out, a list of dining establishments will be in your Conference Bag. OR: Contact i-SITE for further local details: lakewanaka@i-SITE.org www.lakewanaka.co.nz FLIGHT CONNECTION TRANSPORT A bus will be provided (at your expense) on Tuesday 26 October 2010 to collect delegates from Queenstown Airport. This bus will leave for Wanaka at 4 pm sharp, therefore we suggest you select suitable flights to arrive 30 mins prior to this. If arriving at other times, or to Wanaka Airport, it is your responsibility to arrange your own transport to Wanaka. Wanaka Taxis: Phone 03 4437999 Wan-A-Cab – Email info@wanakataxis.com or Phone 03 443 5555 For return flights on Friday 29 October 2010, we suggest selecting flights out after 3 pm as a bus will be provided to take passengers to the airport - leaving the Queenstown Gardens at approximately 2.15 pm. BE PREPARED! Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the weather being settled in late October so ask that you come to the Conference prepared for all seasons please – you will need layered clothing, both light and warm, with water proof jacket/umbrella, hat, gloves and appropriate footwear. CONFERENCE GARDENS - Garden etiquette and safety to be respected at all times Lyn and Brian Taylor – Earnscleugh, Alexandra This is a garden developed out of a strong love of trees. The tree canopy has promoted a dense under-story of foliage encouraging insect and bird life for easy-care gardening. Planting includes rhododendrons, roses, lilies, delphiniums, hydrangeas, irises and many perennials as well as a bank of native trees and shrubs around a garden pond. Outside the garden, beyond the Douglas Firs, a further acre has been planted out in ornamental trees as a developing woodland with some wildflowers. Closer to the house, two separate paved courtyards have different themes, providing private and sheltered settings for summer living and entertaining. Ann and Barrie Wills, ‘Back and Beyond’ – Alexandra Although very low annual rainfall and metered water pose challenges, this ¼ acre garden is nestled under a 100 year old walnut tree and enclosed by many other established trees, some initially planted in the early 1960s, the land previously being an orchard. Features of the woodland garden include a small elevated viewing platform, gazebo and old sleeper-table surrounded by plantings of rhododendrons, camellias, Cornus, daphnes, NZ natives, roses, hostas, trilliums, aquilegias, etc with a path leading around the deck, under a rose arch through a small paved courtyard. Other tracks meander around the edge of the garden for all to explore. Linking property + Alexandra Horticultural Society Plant Stall This was a garden nurtured by one lady for over 45 years until she passed away aged 96. Ann and Barrie bought the property and have been refining her many ‘treasures’ and making it a more manageable garden. The Cornus nuttalli was her pride and joy, so accompanying Cornus have been planted along with rhododendrons, peonies, natives etc. You will be able to check out the plant stall and walk through this garden when visiting adjacent properties. Robyn and Brian Kinnaird – Alexandra The entrance to this garden includes a local schist stone and steel fence, a large covered pagoda and a driveway lined with climbing roses. The cottage garden has a large variety of deciduous trees, rhododendrons and hidden pathways. There are archways, potted begonias, cacti, succulents and geraniums in the back garden. It also contains two fish ponds complete with fountain and bridge. The garden has a large variety of spring irises, bulbs, peonies and lilies. There are two barbeque areas – one paved, and one built-in with gazebo. Garden ornaments, seating, rock walls and glasshouse complete the garden. Orchard Garden Café and Function Centre – Wendy Robertson and Dale Butcher -- LUNCH AND AGM -- The large, country garden has been developed from a stone fruit orchard and relics from the old orchard have been turned into clever features inside and outside the café and function areas. Delegates are welcome to explore the romantic garden, which is made up of different areas that act as several open rooms. Stone walls, ponds, an aviary, a summerhouse, huge borders and walkways frame fairytale plantings of old roses, perennials and established trees. A large hedge maze provides a fun challenge for those who wish to partake. Sandie and Royden Thomson - Cromwell This garden is a suburban-style planting, comprising a composite array of exotics and natives which have evolved over a long period of time, originally a sand dune, covered with marram grass and a scattering of pine trees. Since 1967 it has intermittently changed through a phase of tree plantings (pines, larches, Douglas firs) to a more subdued grouping of natives, ornamentals and rhododendrons. The present theme focuses on natives in the northerly sector with exotics dominant in the centre and to the south. The rhododendron plantings were introduced progressively as trees and dunes were removed and now enhance a large part of the garden. Janette and Maurice Middleditch, ‘Aurum Gallery/Garden’ - Bannockburn Aurum Gallery has been developed over the last 10 years by Janette and Maurice, who moved to Central Otago from Christchurch in the winter of 1999. The contours of the local schist rock were initially a great attraction and Janette and Maurice have cleverly integrated the house and garden colours into the local landscape. Exotic plantings sit alongside a variety of native species to achieve a stunning effect. Maurice is a landscape artist who works in oils and watercolour. His work will be for sale at Aurum Gallery. Annette and Bob Menlove - Wanaka Most of the garden was planted about 2½ years ago after Annette and Bob shifted from northern Southland to a very different climate in Wanaka. The house had a lot of eucalypts around it and these have been removed. There was very little garden and a few rhododendrons which were cut back are starting to settle in now. Other plants they brought with them. Annette is very pleased with the Acer palmatums - they have not looked back. All the gardens had soil carted in and put on top of the ground as it was full of river-bed stone. There is a shade house with trilliums and shade loving plants. The property is challenging, but enjoyable, and has strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries, and tunnel houses with tomatoes. This was meant to be semi retirement but it was a bit hard to get the ‘farmer out of the man’! Brenda and Keith Taylor, ‘Cielito Lindo’ - Hawea The Hawea lakefront in 1952 was a rolling expanse of tussock, matagouri, kanuka and rocks when Keith and Brenda built their house and started a garden. They were fortunate to have begun with shade trees and shelter before becoming too involved with rhododendrons. In the '70s some well advised plants from Heaton Rutland fired their enthusiasm. Fortunately, when they reluctantly sold the steeper part of their 3/4 acre in 2001, they retained a view of many plants. Looking over the fence is a lovely shade tree, a variegated Liriodendron, which is protected by a covenant. Although it is several years since they opened their garden for visits, they are looking forward to showing members a mature collection of over 300 Rhododendrons. Elizabeth and Bruce Howie - Wanaka Purchased in 1962 the property was basically coarse grass with great clumps of mature dog rose and thickets of established broom. There were a few scattered wilding pines and eucalypts, but the area was very exposed to the prevailing NW wind blowing across the lake, and the freezing southerly coming down the Cardrona Valley. The primary task in establishing a garden was to plant silver birches, larches, Atlantic cedars, Douglas firs, and grevilleas around the perimeter of the property finally establishing a garden in 1988. ‘Rooms’ were developed within the overall structure of the garden. Thus started the banks of rhododendrons of different size, structure, leaf patterns and colours; groups of camellias, Azalea mollis, and magnolias. Also introduced were native grasses, hellebores, hostas etc, for filling purposes between shrubs. Attempts to automate the watering systems were resisted and remain manual. Ashlea and Don King, ‘Ashdon Garden’ - Wanaka This garden has been developed since 1980, and is adjacent to a bush reserve leading to Lake Wanaka, and Wanaka Station Park. It was part of the original farm homestead grounds, featuring an historic oak and Californian Redwoods, and provides a borrowed view for the Kings, making their garden look much bigger than its fifth of an acre. Rhododendrons feature in the garden in spring, along with trilliums, tulips, and woodland plants, camellias, Malus and Cornus are other favourites. Roses have been added to the garden over the years to give extended colour, and the bordering trees give a welcome feeling of coolness in the heat of the summer, as well as providing necessary shelter. A rockery, and stone walls which form low terraces, planted with ferns, ericas, Pieris and Weigela add interest. Wanaka Station Park Managed and maintained by Queenstown Lakes District Council, this nine acre park is the site of the original homestead for Wanaka Station which was one of the largest and oldest stations in the South Island in the mid 1800s. The park was gifted to the Council in 1975 by the Sargood family, purchased from its previous owners in 1912 by Sir Percy Sargood. The magnificent mature cedar, limes, Wellingtonia and Douglas fir trees are all protected and have been added to with plantings of rhododendrons, roses and associated plantings including enhancements to the original daffodil-lined driveway. Karolyn and Bruce McAndrew, ‘Willowdown’ - Wanaka Bruce and Karolyn have triumphed over rabbits and the harsh seasonal changes of Central Otago to create a lush and graceful garden at ‘Willowdown’, near the lake edge at Wanaka. The manager’s residence for the vast high country farm known as Wanaka Station was formerly on this site. There are about 150 rhododendrons of mixed variety. The property also has a very large variety of old trees including camellias, some over 20 foot high. There are also a number of very old plantings of rambling roses. The property has a pond and is approximately two acres in size with a bog area. Madge Snow, ‘The Heather Garden’ - Wanaka Everything has been planted since 1987. In Wanaka, with sun and water, Madge attempts to grow all kinds of plants. She is having a love affair with maples and has tried to grow as many varieties as she can. Her husband cleared the land of pines and manuka and beginning at the front, she has gradually planted her way to the back. The rhododendrons on the back section were planted in shade in 1993, and then the developers removed all the trees to make way for the new Penrith subdivision. The wind is unrelenting and intense. Madge sometimes wonders how anything can grow! The front section gets a little more protection, ‘praise be’ she thinks! Pat and Keith Stuart - Wanaka Stuart’s garden is on one acre of ground which was originally a peat bog, now featuring the swiftly flowing Bullock Creek which hosts a number of tame trout! The creek edge is planted with hostas, Japanese and Siberian irises, ferns, Petiphyllum and Rodgersia. Rhododendrons flourish and are at their best in November. Other plantings include hellebores, primulas, Meconopsis, Fritillaria, peonies and trilliums plus many other special shrubs and treasures. Plants will be on sale at the garden. See May 2010 issue of NZ House and Garden for other details. Continued on next page; click here

NZRA Conference 25th-28th October 2011,

The Conference for 2011 is to be held in Taranaki, based in the country township of Stratford. The area has an ideal climate for Rhododendrons hence some lovely gardens. We have all new private gardens since 1999, plus Tupare and Hollards, once renowned private gardens that have been renovated by the Regional Council. We visit both North & South Taranaki regions.

We have organized informative speakers, good food and wine, a themed Conference dinner, and hope for lots of fellowship. Transport will be available from New Plymouth Airport, and to and from your accommodation. Our team, all regular Conference attendees, are having fun organising this Conference so we hope you will join us and experience the atmosphere of a small town and wonderful gardens.

Margaret Hodges, Chairman of Conference Committee

Contact:- ##rhodges@xtra.co.nz