Spring Blossom Valley
Spring is signalled by blossoms and bulbs flowering
Where spring blossoms explode into colour!
Countries all over the world celebrate the arrival of spring signalled by blossoms and bulbs – join others around the southern hemisphere - come and have a picnic in the sun with friends and family and celebrate the season of renewal and regrowth.
On your way to the Camellia and Magnolia Gardens, take a stroll through Spring Blossom Valley and feast your senses as bright bulbs push through the ground and blossom explodes on the trees. Be entertained by the antics of the beautiful native tui as they have their own party and get drunk on the nectar.
These plants could all potentially grow in your Auckland home garden. If your location is either sheltered or exposed, take ideas from the plantings along the stream banks. As a natural gully, the plants that require shelter and / or shade have been planted on the lower slopes and the more wind and sun-tolerant plants are planted on higher slopes. Check our events calendar for upcoming events including topics on planting the right plant in the right place, how to prune and when, and how to attract more birds to your garden.
Prunus 'Pink Cloud'
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Cultural
The cherry blossom or “Sakura” are especially esteemed in Japan. The blooming of cherry blossoms is short and sweet. In Japanese culture, the brief period of flowering symbolises the transience of life – they remind us that we should live each moment. Japanese communities gather annually for Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festivals) and picnic under the blossoms, many of the women dressed in beautiful kimonos with exquisite spring prints, and enjoy traditional seasonal food and drink.
The first plantings of Spring Blossom Valley at the Auckland Botanic Gardens were made in 1983 to create a spectacular spring flowering garden typical of cooler climates. We always trial our plantings for suitability to Auckland conditions – you too could plant these at home.
Prunus 'Awanui'
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Gardening Tips for Spring Blossoms
- Give careful thought to where you put large growing trees to ensure they improve the garden layout and will not get too big for your space.
- All trees shed leaves but particularly deciduous trees so bear in mind they can block gutters - yours and your neighbours and smother patio areas.
- Planting after autumn rains when the soil is moist and warm allows trees to develop a good root system before soil becomes wet and cold in winter and enables them to better withstand dry periods over the following summer.
- Apply an organic mulch or leaf mould annually to benefit soil health, moisture retention and weed suppression.
- Prune cherries and Prunus in summer after flowering or otherwise following fruiting. Avoid disease by not pruning in winter conditions.
Tui feeding on spring blossom
Camellia Garden
Magnolia Garden
Edible Garden