Report By John Sanders

Our first stop was at Hamilton Gardens, which has 1.2million visitors each year, more than any other tourist attraction.

It was great to have Ellaby Martin, the first IPPS NZ member, Nurseryman, and great plants man, to be one of the two tour guides. He explained in great detail about the origin of each garden and the cultural significance in the design and hard landscaping.

He also pointed out many plants that had potential in modern landscaping or commercial possibilities.

On arriving at Anntons we were introduced to Steve Burton, a young nurseryman who has a clear vision of where he is going in business and what he wants to achieve. He is setting up his nursery from scratch. It has taken him two years to achieve, including the research, to optimise every efficiency possible for his nursery.
He has purchased a Meyer potting machine which has the potential to pot 18,000 pots per day. The beds for the plants have perfect drainage to stop any unwanted capillary action and possible root or fungal problems. His irrigation system gives a 98% total coverage.

His shadehouse runs along the most exposed side of the nursery and so will provide shelter for the rest of the nursery. It will also be able to be converted to a Polythene House when required. We were all thoroughly impressed with his vision for the future of his new nursery.

Maungatautari was awe inspiring. It is run by a charitable trust which needs to fund raise $1.2million each year to keep this reserve intact. We were guided through the reserve by Jim Mylchreest, the CEO of the Trust. He explained the significance of the protective fence surrounding the reserve which is tested each night by mammalian predators trying to get in. The re-growth of the original native fauna was impressive as was the increase in native bird life. The view from the 15metre tower was the climax of the tour.

At Growing Spectrum we were shown through one of the top Nurseries in New Zealand. We started at Carol Fraser’s classroom, and then went through the offices where there is an impressive label bank. In the very up-to date propagation facility the heat beds are powered by a heat pump and the cuttings misted by Neta Fins fog nozzles, great for deflasking tissue or rooting cuttings.

We were shown 3 different irrigation systems; convention capillary beds, flood and drain and the conventional sprinkler system.

We were shown crops that were part of an IPM pest management system and were free of damage from mites.

The stock were all top quality and ranged from perennials, shrubs and topiary plants, all grown for the retail sector.

On Saturday night we enjoyed the hospitality of Peter and Carol Fraser with a barbecue.

On Sunday we first visited Dave and Shirley Ogilvy’s nursery, Bruntwood. Dave has had his successful nursery for over 20 years and has followed the motto of KISS- Keep it simple stupid. We saw a large range of shrubs ad trees produced for the retail and landscaping sectors. Dave is one of the largest producers of Phormium species for export but he is extremely modest about the business he and Shirley have built over the years. We enjoyed a beautiful morning tea before moving on to Burtons.

We were greeted at Tandarra by both Murray and Graeme Burton. Graeme explained their decision to change the direction of their successful wholesale business selling to the Warehouse, to growing and retailing direct to the public themselves. The business is based on knowledgeable staff, quality stock and excellent service.

The last stop of the day was Wairere. Unfortunately Harry and Lloyd were away in Australia but we were able to look through the Garden Centre. They specialise in roses and also have a Landscape Division which advises clients and draws plans. We were also able to look through their large landscaped gardens which were very impressive.

Overall the weekend was a great success and enjoyed by all. Thanks especially to Interworld Plastics Ltd for sponsoring our lunch.