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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 [email protected] • Delivery Terms and Conditions on www.tauponativeplant.co.nz