Shrubs and Spikes

Spikes of Cordylines and New Zealand flaxes combine with the delicate leaves of variegated Pittosporums to give Middle Garden its essential look. It's a classic shrubby and spiky New Zealand garden.

Middle Garden from Duck Lawn - 2008

The plants need boisterous pruning, and the Pittosporums need constant trimming. And just occasionally a winter snow storm will break some of their bendy branches.

Middle Garden from Duck Lawn - 2006

These views of Middle Garden are all taken from the unfortunately named Duck Lawn. And where exactly are the ducks? Don't ask! But the name has stuck.

Duckless Lawn

I often refer to this oval paddock-grass area as 'Duckless Lawn'. Hmm... Blame a certain red border collie dog named Rusty for that...

Middle Garden from Duck Lawn - 2006

These basic green Cordylines are favourites with me - many New Zealand gardeners wouldn't agree. Cordylines are forever messy, shedding their old leaves. And they do need space to grow. Cordylines and summer flowering Hypericum are good summer neighbours on the edge of Duck Lawn.

Cabbage Tree (Two Trunks) in Summer 2003

The trunk of the original Cabbage Tree became very scruffy, I noticed it was also sprouting at the base, so I chopped off the main growth. I'm hoping that this new version might grow two trunks.

In this early photograph from the Moosey Archives, taken in 1999, you might be able to see the naughty Golden Hop behind the Cordyline. In this picture there's a small clump of Bergenias in front of the visible tree stump. Keep your eye on that stump.

Cabbage Tree (One Trunk) in Summer 1999

This garden is well sheltered from wind, and gets very sunny in summer. Shrubs like the Hypericum and the variegated Pittosporums love it here, and show their appreciation by reaching for the sky!