Selwyn Times: February 26, 2020

SELWYN TIMES Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Wednesday February 26 2020 27
Gardening
Plan around available light
ONE OF the biggest problems
you are going to encounter when
you are landscaping small spaces
is the amount of light available
and how well the ground drains.
In larger spaces this is much
less of a problem because you can
always vary the design according
to the conditions, moving a particular
idea into another section if
required.
This is one luxury you don’t
have in smaller gardens. Landscaping
small spaces doesn’t have
to be about growing plants.
Where there is little natural
light you could still landscape
– but without using any plants
or just a few of those plants that
thrive in poor light. Just fill the
area to be landscaped with gravel,
or lay paving and then place a
bench in a strategic position and
dot around some garden sculptures
– perhaps a water feature.
You could, of course plant
many varieties of shade-loving
plants. If you are landscaping
small spaces you should let your
eye move skywards.
Install some frames and train
some climbing plants over them –
perhaps variegated ivy or virginia
creeper, both of which are lovers
of poor lighting conditions.
Try hydrangea and, perhaps,
a deciduous shrub such as one
of the varieties of tree holly or, if
BULKY: Use hydrangeas to cover a small corner, it will grow
well even without much light.
you really have green fingers, try
growing an azalea or two – they
are a bit tricky to grow but some
people seem to have the knack.
For ground cover try coleus, a
plant that comes with some beautiful
variegated leaves, and other
ground covering plants such as
the various erica species.
Landscaping small spaces can
be particularly effective if you
look around you and carefully
take stock of the whole space at
your disposal. Part of the key is to
look up.
You are bound to have a perimeter
fence or wall around your
property and these can be ideal to
support climbing plants against
– honeysuckle, passion fruit and
climbing roses – to name just a
few.
There are literally hundreds of
varieties of climbing plants you
could use. You could even plant
fruit trees.
Even the smallest patio space
has sufficient room to grow a
couple of espalier apple trees
or pear trees which are trained
horizontally along a wall rather
than allowed to grow into their
natural state.
Once your actual landscaping
has been implemented you could
finish off with some night-time
lamps.
Landscaping small spaces really
can be quite fun if done properly
with plenty of research up front.
BACKYARD CRITTERS
Mike Bowie is an ecologist who specialises in
entomology (insects and other invertebrates).
Each week he introduces a new species found in
his backyard at Lincoln. His column aims to raise
public awareness of biodiversity, the variety of
living things around us. Check out the full list
of invertebrates found at www.inaturalist.org/
projects/backyard-biodiversity-bugs-in-my-lincoln-section
Ecosystem benefits
from useful wasp
WHEN WE mention wasps,
most people think of the black
and yellow stinging variety of
vespula wasps, including
the nasty german wasp.
However, other
families of
wasps are parasitic
on pest species,
a useful
ecosystem
service.
One example is
Glabridorsum stokesii,
a parasitoid deliberately
introduced into New Zealand
in 1967-1969 for the biological
control of the oriental fruit
moth and the light brown apple
moth.
Two non-target pests, the
brownheaded and greenheaded
leafrollers are also parasitised by
the wasp. Glabridorsum stokesii
is native of Australia, it is 10mm
long with a black and white
body and mainly orange legs.
THe parasitoid is often
confused with the parasite
of the lemon tree borer but
the latter has incomplete
white rings around the
eyes, while Glabridorsum
has continuous white rings
around the eyes.
Females
parasitoids
usually
oviposit into moth
pupae, but sometimes
in pre-pupa or the last stage
of larvae. They undergo three
generations per year and can
parasitise up to 73 per cent of
the oriental moth population.
THese parasitoids are
hosts themselves to other
parasites, behaviour known as
hyperparasitism.
oN sAle Now!
MAINSCAPE
Garden Supplies
Making your great outdoors greater
SUMMER IS HERE Preserve moisture
and prevent weeds with mulching.
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pER sCoop
while stocks last
Garden
In the
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$35.80
Plus $5 P&H per copy
Intelligro is an agent for the stunning Winter Gardenz Glasshouses.
These amazing glasshouses are built to last and specifically designed with our strong Canterbury
winds in mind. Not only do they look great, it means you can keep growing all year round.
AvAilAble from stAr mediA:
Level One, 359 Lincoln Road
Addington, Christchurch
Phone 379 7100
Canterbury
Timber & Hardware
Are now stockist of Laminata
Prefabricated timber fencing
Call in today for your free quote!
Check out the rest of our landscape supplies online
www.mainscapegardensupplies.co.nz
Call us now
NEW ENTRANCE: 167 Manion Road, Rolleston
Jason Pester P 03 347 7465 F 03 347 7032 E jason@cthl.co.nz
Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm Saturday: 8am-12pm
Canterbury
C T H Timber & Hardware
021 241 7908
1543 Springs Rd Lincoln
Sustainably sourced, ethically produced
Kiwi construction systems from the
heart of Northland
www.laminata.nz
We are here
Features include
• Superior design & construction
• Adjustable opening roof vents
• Smooth sliding doors
• Durable, long-lasting powder
coated finish in black
• Heavy duty aluminium framing
system
• Unique rain water gutter
system for collecting rain water
• Come in a variety of sizes
• A number of accessories to
add to your glasshouse
• Proudly NZ Made
• 25 year quality guarantee
Contact us for more
information 03 3479 012 or
come and see our display at
261 Manion Road
261 Manion Road, Weedons
Phone 03 347 9012
Access to Intelligro from Manion Road is now available from both
the Weedons Ross Road end, and Curraghs Road entrances.
Sept-May Mon-Sat: 7:30am-5:30pm Sunday: 8:30am-4:30pm Jun-Aug Mon-Sat: 8:00am-5:00pm Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Public holidays: 8.30am-4.30pm on the following: Waitangi Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Queen’s Birthday,
Labour Day, Show Day, 2nd January. Closed all others.