Plant of the month for March is a very common Southland native plant. Mingimingi is a tangly coprosma shrub - often used in restoration because of its tolerance of wet soils, wind, full sun and frost. It is also very good habitat for nesting birds, insects, lizards and a very good food source at this time of year - with abundant berries - usually coloured white to dark blue. Coprosma species have male and female flowers on separate plants so make sure you plant at least three to have a better chance of getting a female with brilliant fruit! March is one of the main seed collecting months - if you miss out then you could be waiting until next year to start propagating your own native plants. However, we are busily collecting seed here so if you are interested in learning about it come along on a Friday morning.
Posted: 2 March 2011
Shore gentian - Gentianella saxosa, is a conspicuous sight in January and February on Southlands shores. The ground hugging herb is in the salt wind zone growing close to the sea amongst other coastal turf plants. One of the best places to see this plant is Waipapa Point, near the lighthouse on the Catlins Coast.
Posted: 6 February 2011
Scarlet mistletoes are at their flowering best in January. Many New Zealand mistletoes are threatened species but Southland is a national stronghold for these spectacular species. Mistletoes are semi-parasitic and Peraxilla species grow on native beech trees. Tui and bellbirds are the only birds able to twist open the flowers so the presence of native birds with their native plants is essential for pollination. Best places to see some very large mistletoes are Tuatapere, the Longwoods, Blue Mountains and Fiordland. For more information about Southland’s mistletoes see our factsheet Threatened Plants.
Posted: 18 January 2011
The Community Nursery is open every Friday morning for volunteers to grow plants for their own projects or just to help out. Bring along some morning tea and enjoy the company of others while working in a relaxed environment!
Posted: 13 January 2011
The nursery is open every Friday morning for volunteers to help out, or grow plants for their own projects. At the moment the main activity is potting plants from small pots into planter bags to take advantage of the relatively short growing season in Southland. Weeding is also a major activity - with the hot spring and occasional rain weeds are in their very active growth stage and it is a constant job to keep pots free of weeds.
On Friday 17 December we will have our Christmas Break Up - bring along something yummy for morning tea and enjoy the company of other nursery volunteers on our last Friday before the Christmas break.
You are welcome to come and help over the Christmas holidays - the plants (and weeds) dont take a break so it will be business as usual (even if I’m not there!)
Chris
Posted: 5 December 2010
