Download Good bugs and bad bugs - Taupo Native Plant Nursery

February 2014 In this issue:
•G
ood Bugs
•W
etland / Pond
plants
•P
lants for shady
conditions
www.tauponativeplant.co.nz
Hi Everyone, and welcome to
February. What a mix of weather
we are having this year! Small
cyclones combined with warm and
cold fronts are providing some
interesting growing conditions.
But on the positive side, we have
had good rain and sunshine in
between. Our South Auckland
nursery has been busy developing
more laybys to meet the demand
for forward orders this year. Here
in Taupo, our nursery is brimming
with stock—and although our
West Coast nursery has had lots
of rain, plant growth is on track.
In this newsletter we start a new
series about beneficial insects,
and look at plants that suit shady
areas.
— Taupo Native
Plant Nursery team
Good bugs and bad bugs
You may not have noticed, but your garden is alive with
many insects: some good ones are beneficial to our garden
environment—and some are there to eat your
plants. If we put them in two categories:
a good bug will eat the bad bugs—and the
bad bugs are the ones eating your plants.
Ladybugs
Highly
Recommended
1 pack (20 tablets)
$3.00
1 box (1000 tablets) $90.00
Specially formulated fertilizer
tablets containing nitrogen,
phosphorous, magnesium,
potassium and trace elements.
This tablet slowly releases the
nutrients over two years. Just
one tablet into your planting
hole, throw over some earth
and insert your plant. These
tablets will not burn or damage
your plant if the roots come in
contact with them.
Ladybugs are small predatory
beetles that eat aphids, soft scale insects, mealy
bugs and spider mites. They come in a range of
colours and markings. The adults are round in
shape and have bright-coloured shells, but their
larvae often go unnoticed. They have elongated
black, yellow and red bodies; and like the
adults, are voracious consumers of aphids.
They spend two to three weeks as larvae
before pupating and emerging as adults.
A single ladybug can consume up to 5000
aphids in its lifetime. Ladybugs are most
active outdoors between spring and autumn.
When temperatures drop during winter they
hibernate and often come indoors to seek
warmth and shelter.
Avoid using chemical pest controls as not only
will they harm ladybugs and their larvae—but
they also effectively remove their food source and
deplete their numbers. Biological pest control is all
about patience: when the pests turn up the predators
will not be far off. Newly developed adult ladybugs
eat pollen and nectar as well as aphids.
Left: Coccinella undecimpunctata, the Eleven
spotted ladybug. Above: Halmus chalybeus,
the Steel blue ladybug. Below: ladybug larva.
larva
eggs
There are two types
of good ladybug you
are likely to see in your
garden: red with black
spots, and the metallic
blue ladybug
pupa
adult
Wetland and pond plants
N
ow is a good time of the year to start work
on your wetland area or pond; starting from
new or replanting and rebuilding. Wetland
species can be planted all year round if you need to,
but over summer it’s more enjoyable wading around
your pond or wetland.
Many species are suitable for this environment,
as listed below. Please contact us for free advice and
consultation about your planting project.
Here at Taupo Native Plant
Nursery we are very aware of
our environment and recycle
all our pots: please drop off
your old pots for reuse.
Apodasmia similis
Austroderia toetoe
Baumea teretifolia
Carex solandri
Carex secta
Carex virgata
Cordyline australis
Cyperus ustulatus
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Eleocharis sphacelata
Juncus edgariae
Laurelia novae-zelandiae
Leptospermum scoparium
Phormium tenax
Plagianthus divaricatus
Schefflera digitata
[email protected]
•
ph: 07 378 5450
•
fax 0800 828 764
Plant Protection:
What to plant where?
Plants that like
shady areas
H
Eco-Wool Mulchmat
Biodegradable, non-woven wool
matting suppresses weeds,
prevents moisture loss, and
insulates plants from extreme
temperatures—ensuring swift
growth. 1-49 $1.55 each+GST
Combiguard
A low-maintenance way to
provide protection for seedlings.
Enables smaller grade plants
to establish vigorously; and
protects from the elements
and animals.
1-49
$1.35 each+GST
ave you ever looked at the untidy shady area
in your garden and thought: “What can
I plant there that will grow well and look
good?” Well, the answer is: a mix of native plants.
There is a very interesting mix of native plants
that grow well in this environment that are also
Not sure what to plant where?
Contact our sales team and
discuss your next project. Our
team are very knowledgeable
and will help you select the
right plants for your area.
Recycle
Here at Taupo Native Plant
Nursery we are very aware of
our environment and recycle
all our pots. Please drop off
your old pots for reuse.
low-maintenance. Below is a list of suggested plants
that are suitable for that type of area: more can
be found on our website, and in the back of our
catalogue. If you are unsure about what to plant in
these conditions, please contact us:
[email protected]
Adiantum hispidulum
Rosy Maidenhair fern
Astelia fragrans
Bush Astelia
Grows in tufts: young
growth can be pinkish before
maturing. Likes sun or semishade, prefers well-drained
soil. Good indoor pot plant.
Often referred to as bush flax
or perching lily. Good under
a large tree or shady area.
Produces honey-scented flowers.
Frost hardy; likes damp soil.
Pot 14 $4.95
Pot 14 $6.50 Limited
Blechnum fluviatile
Kiwakiwa
Carex dissita
Forest sedge
Has narrow, long, ladder-like
fronds; graceful in appearance
and can form a trunk as it
matures. Grows to approx.
50 cm x 50 cm.
Bright green, ribbed leaves
with dark green seedheads.
Grows in shade or in the open;
requires moist soil. Frost
hardy; fills gaps well.
Pot 13 $5.50 Limited
Pot 14 $4.75 Limited
Cordyline banksii
Forest cabbage tree
Cyathea dealbata
Silver fern
This slender tree sometimes
will grow multiple leaders
and enjoys a shady and
sheltered site. Frost
sensitive: attracts birds.
This beautiful tree fern prefers
full shade and a frost-free site,
along with damp soil. Likes
sites under existing plants that
provide full protection.
PB3 $5.50 Limited
Pot 14 $5.95 Limited
Dianella nigra
NZ Blueberry
Planting Guide
click here
to view all plant
specials
Will grow to about 50 cm;
looks similar to a lily; very
hardy; frost tolerant; prefers
damp soil and will grow in full
shade or full sunshine. Blue
berries develop in the spring.
Pot 14 $4.95 Limited
Macropiper excelsum
Pepper tree or Kawakawa
Densely branched small shrub
or tree with heart-shaped
leaves. Orange drupes attract
the birds. Frost tender; likes
dry or damp soil.
Pot 14 $4.35 Limited
Schefflera digitata
Pate
Likes to be in the shade with
damp soil: forms finger-like
leaves; dark glossy green in
appearance.
Pot 14 $5.50
Fuchsia excorticata
Kotukutuku
Largest fuchsia in the world.
Semi deciduous; prefers damp
conditions. Fast growing;
tolerates light frosts. Prefers
shade; attracts birds and bees.
Pot 14 $5.50
Astelia chathamica
Kakaha or Moriori flax
Chatham Island Astelia that
has large, silvery-green leaves.
Very hardy and makes a great
garden specimen.
Pot 14 $5.50
Nertera depressa
Bead plant
Will grow out to from a mat
with very small leaves and tiny
white flowers, followed by red
berries in the autumn.
Pot 14 $2.95 Seconds
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