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Russell Fransham’s garden Subscribe to our free newsletter Your personal information will not be sold, given away or shared with anyone else. View previous newsletters Accredited member (Landscape Design) of The Landscape Industries Association of New Zealand (Landscaping New Zealand)			GARDENS VISITED BY LAURENSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN OMAIO, MATAKANA On a sunny Friday late in February 2010, I joined a number of garden designers and enthusiasts on a visit to Liz Morrow's Omaio, a coastal garden on the Takatu Peninsula near Matakana. Omaio is a Maori name meaning 'place of peace, quiet and tranquillity'. The garden is surrounded by water, with some magnificent old pohutukawa, puriri and kauri right on the water's edge. The entry into Omaio Liz has been developing the garden for only four years, but it has recently been granted a 'Garden of National Significance' status by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. This garden of 18 acres is a delightful fusion of natives and exotics that suit the environment, has a number of bush tracks, and a charming spiral-shaped raised vegetable garden. Omaio is open to the public by appointment. PUKEKURA PARK, NEW PLYMOUTH In January 2010 I was lucky enough to be visiting New Plymouth during the Festival of Lights, when Pukekura Park is lit up in a delightful way during the evening. However, this public park is worthwhile exploring at any time of the year, and is particularly spectacular during spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in full flower. Pukekura Park, New Plymouth NORTHLAND TOUR In October 2009 I joined 12 other landscape design professionals on a trip north to visit gardens and nurseries, including Whangarei Quarry Gardens, Palmco, Russell Fransham’s Subtropicals and Tawapou Coastal Natives. It’s wonderful to see the passion these people have for what they are doing. WHANGAREI QUARRY GARDENS David Muir is working with an army of volunteers to transform an old quarry into what could become a world-class garden, just off highway 1 in Whangarei. Whangarei Quarry Garden lake PALMCO, KERIKERI Palmco in Kerikeri are commercial palm growers, who have a garden open to the public, which showcases the use of mature palms in a garden setting. Palmco Garden RUSSELL FRANSHAM SUBTROPICALS Russell Fransham in Matapouri is passionate about tropical plants, and experiments with new varieties in his own garden before selling them from his nursery. Russell Fransham’s Garden TAWAPOU COASTAL NATIVES Guy and Sandra Bowden at Tawapou Coastal Natives, also in Matapouri, are passionate about native plants, especially those from the nearby Poor Knights Islands. Their garden, alongside their nursery and open to the public, is a great example of how native plants can be used in a garden setting. This garden also features some of Guy’s sculptures. Tawapou Coastal Natives
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