Native gardens as a new page in the nature conservation policy of New Zealand

Abstract

The recently established, demonstration native garden in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens is a response to the need to show, at a practical scale, how we can step up a level in the range of indigenous species that are suitable for gardens. It was designed and established by Lincoln University staff and advanced students, Landcare Research, the Gardens staff and sponsors. The garden illustrates the wonderful variety, form, colour, and texture of NZ plants, something about their importance to NZ ecosystems, and to tangata whenua; encourages their use in more places (to provide critical mass of foliage, flowers and fruits to attract wildlife) so they become viable populations. The gardens are seen as a display of three different theme native gardens: The Rock/Scree/Beach Garden, Bush Garden and Formal Native Garden. Because of the location of the Demonstration Gardens (as part of the Botanic Gardens) the character of the design garden addressed on one hand an educational and scientific goal (showing different collections of native plants) and on another - decorative and practical: how to attract and inform the public on using native plants in their front and back yards. The demonstration gardens have native plants as well as decorative elements such as sculpture, stepping stones, pavement, trellises, boardwalk, seats and water features (waterfall and fountain). The length of the site (46 metres long and 5 metres wide) dictated the size of each garden (15 by 5 metres). The demonstration Gardens celebrate opportunities for the local flora largely using Canterbury Plains, Port Hills and Southern Alps foothill plants.