Special Publications: October 08, 2025

Gardening
Selwyn
Spring 2025
GUIDE
INSIDE:
Page 37
Gardening events, volunteering
& workshops
Your lift-out guide to
celebrating Spring &
Summer in the garden
Ideas,
tips and
inspiration
for your
next garden
project
Layers of history at
Homebush Gardens
Page 58
Page 11
Page 9
Three-generation success:
South Pacific Roses
Page 14
Published by
Page 11
The art and science of companion
planting
20-50%
OFF
Trees &
Shrubs
Great gardening and
landscape advice
Spring is here
913 Shands Road
Just south of the Selwyn Road / Shands Road intersection
T: 03 349 9240 E: info@allwood.co.nz
Keep up to date on Allwood news through our Facebook or
Instagram pages: Allwood Trees and at www.allwood.co.nz
View our services online now: www.allwood.co.nz

2 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
LANDSCAPE, timber & firewood SUPPLIES
We supply
& deliver
We welcome
retail & trade
customers!
Landscaping
FIREWOOD
TIMBER
Our wide range includes:
• Compost & soil conditioners
• Decorative stones / boulders
• River stones/ Boulders
• Sands, basecourse & aggregates
• Dry Silica /White and Grey brick sand
• Barks & mulches
• Bagged cements
• Pavers / Westland schist
• We supply and deliver firewood
• Yard sales
• Bagged wood
• Boot loads
• Charcoal – Restaurant / Domestic
• WINZ quotes available
• Residential fencing
• Structural
• Stakes & pegs
• Decking
• Hardware
• Sleepers – Macrocarpa
• Planter boxes
CHRISTCHURCH’S LARGEST RANGE OF
GARDEN,LANDSCAPE AND TIMBER SUPPLIES
EVERYTHING GARDENING
gardenmakers
4 Parkhouse Rd Wigram Phone: 341-5688
Locally owned & operated
sales@gardenmakers.co.nz
www.gardenmakers.co.nz
Open 7 days Mon-Sat 7.15am-5pm Sun 8am-4pm

SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 3
PUBLISHER
Allied Media
PO Box 1467 Christchurch 8140
ADVERTISING
Lynette Evans - Ph 021 222 7831
email: lynette.evans@alliedmedia.co.nz
EDITORIAL
Isabelle Teresa
Claire Reid
DESIGN
Rachel Taylor
Sophie Burgess
Springing
into action!
Spring has sprung and the grass is
riz! Selwyn is full of amazing gardens,
experts and opportunities, so we hope you
find inspiration in the ideas, events and
locations we’ve gathered for you in this
2025 Selwyn Gardening Guide.
All our towns and villages have Garden
Clubs or Horticultural Societies – see the
Canterbury Horticultural Society website
or your local Facebook pages.
Or to dip your toe into vege gardening,
look up “community gardens” on
selwyn.govt.nz.
Selwyn is also home to many gardening
and landscaping suppliers and services,
many with decades’ or generations’ worth
of experience to call on.
Here are some local gardening-related
events that are all free or reasonably
priced. Search the links for details. Spring
starts here!
Weekly
Wed 10–12 + Sat 1–3: ReNourish
Community Garden working bees / selwyn.
govt.nz/renourish
Wed & Sat 8–4.30: Broadfield Garden open
days (see below)
October
Sat 18: Ellesmere A&P Show, Leeston.
ellesmereshow.co.nz
Sat 18: “Don’t Treat Your Soil Like Dirt!”
workshop. lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sat 18: Faringdon Community Garden
Open Day. selwyn.govt.nz
Sun 26: Orton Bradley Park Spring Fair.
ortonbradley.nz
Sun 26–Mon 27: Little River Flower Power
Garden Trail (see next page). Facebook +
Eventfinda
Mon 27: Hororātā Parish Spring Fair.
hororata.org.nz
Thurs 30 Oct–Sun 2 Nov: Hurunui
Garden Festival.
hurunuigardenfestival.com
November
Sat 1: Lincoln Anglican Parish Plant Fair.
facebook.com/LincolnAnglicanParish
Sat 1: “Veges 101” workshop.
lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sat 1: ReNourish Community Garden Open
Day. selwyn.govt.nz/renourish
Mon 3: Nourish Community Garden —
Darfield, Open Day. selwyn.govt.nz
Thurs 6: Lincoln Envirotown Community
Garden Open Day. selwyn.govt.nz
Sat 8: “Starting and Maintaining a Worm
Farm” workshop. lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sat 8: West Melton Native Plants,
workshop and tour. nutpoint.org
Thurs 13–Sun 16: Spring Garden Open
Days. selwyn.nz/spring/garden-open-days
Sun 16: Kirwee Open Gardens fundraiser
+ Kirwee Community Garden Open Day.
Facebook + selwyn.govt.nz
Sat 22: Courtenay A&P Show.
courtenayshow.org.nz
Sun 23: The Selwyn Fete, at Broadfield
Gardens. theselwynfete.co.nz
December
Fri 5: Rakaia Garden Fête (see next page).
Facebook + Eventfinda
Sun 7: Terrace Station, Hororātā. Open
Day: early summer flowers.
terracestation.org.nz
2026
Sun 15 Feb: The Giving Garden Festival, at
Broadfield Gardens. Facebook + Eventfinda
Sat 21 March: Leeston Fete. Facebook
Broadfield Garden:
Selwyn treasure
Broadfield
garden
A multi award winning
garden with many design
ideas, planting ideas and
maintenance minimising
systems. See plants that
do well in Canterbury.
20 different sections of
varying sizes and styles.
Visits, guided tours
usually available, allow
1 to 1 hour 30 minutes,
picnics welcome, photos,
wedding ceremonies,
group visits.
Adults
$20
children
free
FREE visit on Saturday 11th
& Sunday 12th October
Open Wednesdays & Saturdays 8 – 4.30 & by arrangement
250 Selwyn Road M: David 027 4334 099 E: david@bel.nz
David Hobbs has been creating the
3.5-hectare, award-winning Broadfield
Garden for over 33 years. Nestled in the
triangle between Selwyn and Waterholes
Roads, equidistant between Rolleston,
Prebbleton and Lincoln, it is stunning in all
seasons.
On arrival, the impressive scale of the
grand lawns and ponds, shaped by
crisply trimmed hedges, initially triggers
thoughts of English National Trust gardens
– but pay attention to the plantings and
you’ll see that Broadfield is very much
a contemporary NZ garden. Many natives
are used, as are NZ-raised varieties of many
well-known species. There are substantial
plantings of very good iconic NZ longterm
trees, including kauri, tōtara, kahikatea
and beech, established from 30 years plus.
Grand vistas give way to beguiling
paths leading to smaller groves and
settings, including the highly popular
veggie garden. Smatterings of artworks of
different styles add colour and a smile.
You will get hundreds of ideas on garden
design, planting, maintenance and plants
that do well in Canterbury. David, the
friendly gardener, welcomes questions.
Selwyn District, with its recent
exponential growth, does not have many
heritage assets and Broadfield is certainly
one of those.
Put up for sale in 2024, the right buyer
has not yet been found. Residents lobbied
Selwyn District Council to buy it and
make it free to visitors like Council-owned
gardens elsewhere, but unsuccessfully.
Alternate uses would be as a very superior
wedding venue, or luxurious forever
home site probably no longer available to
visitors.
Surely any buyer will want to keep
this masterpiece open, but just in case, get
down there! There are open days every
Wednesday and Saturday, 8am–4.30pm, for
the low cost of $20 (kids are free).
Located at 250 Selwyn Road,
Weedons. david@broadfieldgarden.nz.
Phone 0274 334 099. Specialising in
visits, tours, picnics, photography,
family occasions and weddings.

4 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
Koanga:
The Māori word for spring is kōanga,
which is based around the word kō /
digging stick. So spring is literally the
time to get digging!
Kō were used for breaking up and
loosening the soil, clearing weeds and
shaping the ground into mounds for
planting tubers, especially kūmara. As
gardeners know, this is hard work! So
springtime digging found its way into
metaphor. If you were referred to as
ihu oneone / soiled nose, this was a
compliment, commending your efforts.
A really busy day is “he rā whawhati kō”
– a day that snapped your digging stick.
And “takē kōanga, whakapiri ngahuru” is
very much a criticism – you were absent
at planting time, but close by to enjoy the
harvest.
The season of the
digging stick!
PHOTO: TE PAPA
While made in different styles, kō
were typically a long pole of strong,
durable wood, with one end shaped
into a blade, and a footrest lashed onto
the shaft. The wood was often from the
kōwhai tree, endemic to New Zealand
and one of our strongest hard woods. It
is also symbolically appropriate for this
purpose, as the yellow blooms of the
kōwhai heralded spring for Māori, as
they do for all kiwis today.
So whatever your style of gardening,
it’s time to be reaching for your digging
stick!
The glorious
Rakaia Garden Fête
2025 marks the fourth
Rakaia Garden Fête,
hosted by Sue and
Ted Rollinson at their
six acres of stunning
gardens in Dorie. What
makes this event truly
special is not only the
breathtaking backdrop
but also the generosity
at its heart. Sue and Ted pour countless
hours into preparing their property
and bringing people together, not for
themselves, but to give back to the
community. Over the years, they have
offered this wonderful event as a way to
fundraise for different charities.
This year, the fête supports Rakaia
Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR).
This dedicated volunteer team responds
to emergencies in our district and
beyond, searching for missing persons,
supporting rescue operations, and
assisting in times of natural disaster.
Their work demands commitment,
training, and resources, and the fête
will provide a vital boost: every ticket
purchased and every stall visited
supports their essential work.
Visitors can expect a carefully curated
selection of high-quality artisan products,
from handmade crafts and jewellery to
clothing, skincare, and gourmet treats.
For garden lovers, the array of plants,
tools, and garden treasures is not to
be missed. Add in delicious food, live
music, Christmas wreath demonstrations
and the rare chance to wander and
admire these glorious
private gardens, for a truly
delightful day.
At the Rakaia Garden
Fête, community spirit
blossoms as beautifully as
the gardens themselves.
Come along, enjoy the
atmosphere, and know that
your support helps keep our
community safe.
Friday 5 December,
10am–3pm / advance
tickets at Humanitix or
gate sales / see Facebook
page for full details.
WE SPECIALISE IN THE CARE AND
PRESERVATION OF TREES
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Little River Flower
Power Garden Trail
Rhododendrons
to bananas -
explore 13
diverse gardens.
Labour Weekend,
Sunday 26th and
Monday 27th October
Gardens open
10am - 4pm
$15, children free,
Tickets available
from Little River
Craft Station and
Eventfinda
A community
fundraiser.
RAKAIA
GARDEN FETE
th
Friday 5 December 2025
th
5 December 2025
Friday
10:00am til 3:00pm
10:00am til 3:00pm
of Sue and Ted Rollinson
Home of Sue and Ted Rollinson
Home
282 Awaroa School Road, Dorie 7781
282 Awaroa School Road, Dorie 7781
Join us for a fabulous day with
120 stalls, live music, delicious food & coffee, wreath
making demonstrations, explore the beautiful gardens
and so much more!
Mark your calendar and
grab your ticket today!
Buy online at Humantix or at
your nearest ticket location
Proudly supporting
Rakaia Land Search & Rescue
TICKETS
Adult - $20
Child (over 5) - $5
Ticket locations:
At the gate on the day
Rakaia Mobil
Ashburton: Paper Plus &
Lushingtons
Christchurch: Oderings
Barrington & Philpotts Road
Methven: Hammer Hardware
Mayfield: PGG Wrightsons
Geraldine: Tievoli Trading
Timaru: The Garden Centre
ALL SALES CASH ONLY

SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 5
Layers of story…
Homebush Gardens
Layers of history, family, story and connection
are woven deep into the gardens at Homebush, and
exploring them is a fascinating and meaningful
experience.
In 1851, Scottish brothers William and John Deans
settled the Homebush run in the Malvern Hills near
Darfield, where six generations of Deans family have
lived and gardened ever since. These days, visit on
a pre-arranged group tour and it will be Crispin
Deans and his wife Fleur who guide you around, both
passionate about the gardens and sharing the beauty
and history of the site.
Food production drove much of the early use
and structure of the land. One of the garden’s
most striking aspects is a circular holly hedge.
Planted in the 1860s, it was not for formal garden
design but rather to encircle and contain sheep,
to get nutrients into the soil fast and create
fertile ground for vegetable growing. Nowadays,
the hedge contains the rose garden, with many
roses dating from the 1940s and transplanted
here away from the quake-ruins of the original
homestead. Astonishingly, the original holly
hedge has kept regenerating since the 1860s
– Crispin jokes that this should be a heritage
building in its own right!
Each generation of the family has layered their
own preferences into the style of gardening
and land management. Visitors today can
delight in Redwood stands and the “Cathedral”
of Sequoiadendron giganteum planted in
the 1850s, the 1913 magnificent tree avenue
leading up to the house, the unique collection
of rhododendrons hybridised and planted from
Kew Gardens seed from the 1920s, the Welsh
Bodnant interplay of hillside and water, the
garden “rooms” fashion post World War II, and
the current Capability Brown style of spacious
rolling views where you discover vistas and
“view shafts” as you stroll.
Crispin sees the whole grounds as a
multigenerational experiment and conversation.
1851
Black
poplar
The story of how the grounds became shaped
and developed as they are today arises very
much from a mixture of practical settler
necessity alongside a vision of guardianship
upheld from the time they were settled. The
Deans brothers made two key decisions at
the start. One area of hillside covered in
native trees and bush was instantly fenced
off, to be protected from human and animal
intervention. It remains a source of original
native seed, which birds continue to spread.
The brothers also established the future
direction of the lands as a garden by planting
the first exotic tree, a black poplar that still is
splendid and healthy today, long surpassing its
expected lifespan and size.
In pointing out a Turkish oak planted by great-greatuncle
Douglas from an acorn he brought back from
Gallipoli, he says: “Trees are tangible – they last for
generations, allowing you to tell a story you can pass
on to your children and they to theirs.”
And indeed, amongst the sheer scale of this
landscape, it’s the stories of family memory that
ground this place as a home. It’s delightful to learn
that a large rectangular grassed terrace was for
many years an ice-skating pond for parties of up to
60 people, and that the family has been Christmas
lunching under the same massive copper beech
since the 1920s. With Homebush remaining in such
caring and knowledgeable hands, this will surely be
the case for decades to come.
Group tours available of the Gardens, heritage
listed rural buildings and museum-style displays:
www.homebushstables.co.nz

6 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
meet us in
the Country
BROADFIELD GARDEN
Explore this award-winning garden, featuring beautiful
vistas, New Zealand cultural icons, topiary, bonsai, and
well-kept hedges. Find practical ideas for garden design,
planting advice, and maintenance tips, with a focus on
plants that thrive in Canterbury. Wander through various
plant collections, including beech and kauri forests, a
canal, a museum lawn, and an azalea garden. Bring a
picnic and enjoy a peaceful day outdoors.
250 Selwyn Road, Rolleston
$20 adults, children free.
CASA ROSSA
Visit this 1.25-acre Italianate garden, transformed over
25 years from a former shingle quarry into a masterpiece
with a 5-star Garden of National Significance rating from
the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Explore the tapestry
beech walk, vibrant maples, roses, junipers, and unique
artworks throughout the garden.
203 Jowers Rd, West Melton
$15 adults, children free.
SPRING Garden
open days
Self-drive tour
13–16 November
10am–4pm
Visit Selwyn’s award-winning gardens
opening in spring.
Get a group of friends together and explore
beautiful gardens and nurseries in bloom at
one of the open days. Enjoy great walks and
cafes nearby.
For details visit
selwyn.nz/spring
KNOCKDOLIAN
Established in 1939, Knockdolian is now a 4-star Garden
of National Significance, recognized by the New Zealand
Gardens Trust. With a variety of well-established areas
— orchard, vegetable garden, rose garden, native plants,
rockery, deep borders, and woodlands — there’s plenty
to explore and enjoy.
Open 13 –15 November.
505 Deans Road, Darfield
$10 per person.
ORTEL GARDEN AND NURSERY
This expansive, meticulously designed garden with
flamboyant, wild planting is over 30 years old, features
garden rooms with roses, vegetables and pleached
hornbeams. Explore ponds, a stream, perennial borders,
new wave planting and a Japanese-inspired cloud-pruned
garden. The garden includes an extensive plant collection,
native arboretum and various planting styles.
Visit the on-site nursery open daily at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Tea and refreshments are available for purchase.
To book tickets and receive the address visit www.ortel.nz
West Melton
*Open Friday 14th and
Saturday 15 November only
Entry: $20 adults, children free.
Gardens open by appointment only:
CEDER PARK TAI TAPU SCULPTURE PARK STONEYCROP

SHa
Kolorful Kanvas:
Keeping you covered
This year, Kolorful Kanvas Ltd proudly
celebrates 50 years of serving Selwyn
and the wider Canterbury region with
top-quality Canvas and PVC products.
Locally owned and operated since
1975, the business has grown from
humble beginnings into a trusted name
in custom manufacturing — known
for its craftsmanship, reliability, and
commitment to the local community.
Specialising in a wide range of Canvas
and PVC goods, Kolorful Kanvas is the
team behind many of the shade sails,
awnings, and covers seen across town.
Whether it’s a custom-made awning
for a home or café, a durable cover for
machinery or vehicles, or a caravan
awning built for New Zealand’s rugged
conditions, their products are designed to
last — and to suit the exact needs of their
customers.
Kolorful Kanvas also manufactures
tarpaulins, Ute and trailer covers, clear
PVC screens, outdoor furniture covers
and many other custom solutions. Every
item is crafted locally using high-quality
materials and the experience gained over
five decades in the industry.
As a family-run business, Kolorful
Kanvas remains deeply connected to the
community.
Reaching the 50-year milestone is a
significant achievement, and the team
extends a heartfelt thank you to their
loyal customers and supporters over the
years.
For tailor-made Canvas and
PVC solutions, visit them at
99 Shakespeare Rd, Waltham or
online at www.kolorfulkanvas.co.nz
Here’s to the next 50 years of local
excellence!
SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 7
Shadecraft:
Enjoy your garden
in all weathers
Whether it’s protection from sun, wind
or rain, or enclosing an outdoor space
to be heated, Shadecraft can design and
install whatever it takes to keep you
out in your garden for longer. And best
of all, this wide range of attractive and
affordable products is made right here in
Canterbury.
Shade sails are ever popular. They
are strong and durable, ensuring
maintenance-free, long-life performance.
These come in a range of colours to suit
all preferences, from neutrals to cooling
to vibrant.
Wave shades are a fresh alternative.
Their smooth, shapely billows bring
effortless style and the fact that they
are retractable gives you full flexibility
in how you enjoy your outdoor space.
Choose from the range of modern fabric
colours. Simple, clean lines and the
high-performance polished stainless steel
fixings add to the premium finish.
Eclipse canopies are the next step up
in weather protection. The super-tough
polycarbonate roof sheeting, with a
choice of tints, is supported by a sturdy
rectangular steel frame, galvanised to
a colour of your choice. The sheeting
provides 99% protection from the sun’s
rays and can withstand hailstones up to
25mm in diameter. The product conforms
to Council requirements, enabling
permits to be granted with minimal
delay.
Shadecraft’s multiple other offerings
include louvre roofs that enable you to
customise your perfect outdoor room
all year round, unobtrusive yet highly
effective drop blinds, and attractive and
practical car ports. Call on their 18 years
of experience, so you can be out in your
garden for longer.
james@shadecraft.co.nz / 0800 742 332
www.shadecraft.co.nz
THE CANVAS EXPERTS
PATIOS - OUTDOOR AREAS - CAR PORTS
Shadecraft is a
locally owned company
who specialise in
shade and weather
protection products to
enhance your homes
design and use of
outdoor areas.
ShadeCraft (SI) Ltd • 0800
CALL OR COME IN AND SEE US
99 Shakespeare Road, Christchurch
03 366 9583
info@kolorfulkanvas.co.nz
www.kolorfulkanvas.co.nz
Shadecraft is a locally owned company who specialise in
shade and weather protection products to enhance your
homes design and use of outdoor areas.
LOUVRES – SHADE SAILS – UMBRELLAS
ALL WEATHER CANOPIES
ShadeCraft (SI) Ltd
0800 742332 • Cell 021 510879
www.shadecraft.co.nz

8 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
Pull over, it’s a
Plant Stal l!
Selwyn is, quite simply, abustle with
plant stalls. It’s a very visible expression
of the deep seated love of gardening in
this district. The people growing and
selling the plants are following their
enthusiasm, and those buying are ever
curious to find just the right thing for
that special spot. Prices are usually
lower, or the plants more established,
than those available in big-box retail,
making shopping at a local stall a
satisfying and rewarding experience for
buyer and seller alike.
Plants and More
Andrea’s
Plants
Stalls range greatly in size and
specialisms. At one end of the scale is
the new “Plants and More”, set up by
Rolleston landscaping company The
Outdoor Space. Their homegrown plants
often include hedging, grasses, flowers,
berries, and items in the crowd-favourite
$5 bargain bin. The “more” is hard
landscaping options at much reduced
prices, including retaining blocks,
stepping stones, new and used tiles
and pavers, wooden vege planters, and
planting stakes and labels.
More often, plant stall holders are
private individuals. One such example
is Andrea’s Plants, a Leeston institution
since 2013, presenting a truly impressive
variety of plants. Andrea and her
husband started this enterprise from
their backyard, as a green fingered
hobby they both could share. Andrea
says: “We love growing plants from
cuttings, seeds and division, and
sharing this with the community is both
satisfying and relaxing. All the family
like to get involved. Customers come
back to us year after year.”
Or sometimes stalls specialise in just
one thing, like the new Southbridge
Swan Plants, created to get people
through their hungry caterpillar
emergencies! All their plants are grown
under netting, from seed from the
previous year’s strongest specimens.
In your own town or village, you’ll
know your local stalls and what they
specialise in. To explore further afield,
plan ahead with www.passmebuy.co.nz,
an online map of local stalls and home
businesses, with a strong emphasis on
Christchurch and Selwyn. It’s best to
carry cash, but some stalls also welcome
bank transfer or use the kiwi-designed
“My Honesty Box” app, where you scan
the displayed QR code, select how many
you’re buying of each item, then pay
online.
For more info:
• See the Facebook pages of the
stalls in this article
• Find many more on
www.passmebuy.co.nz
Shade
that fits.
Everyone home is different, and your shade should
match. With Archgola, you can customise your
canopy to fit your style and space just right.
Our local team of professional builders know our
products inside and out and are there to help you tailor
the solution to your unique spot and nail the details.
Engineered to live up to the Selwyn district
weather conditions, sun, wind and snow.
We’re about making your space, yours.
ARCHGOLA CANTERBURY 022 345 6810
ARCHGOLA.CO.NZ
NZ’S FAVOURITE CANOPIES AND BLINDS SINCE 1998

Three-generation success:
SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 9
South Pacific Roses
Back in 1970s Christchurch, plantbuying
homeowners couldn’t buy in
bulk from big-box retail and instead
enjoyed more homely garden centres
in every suburb. However, all roses
sold there came from the North Island!
So in 1978, one man set out to change
this, and ripped up his own backyard to
plant it out in bush roses.
Not all businesses take off as planned.
Noel Wright’s son Glenn recounts: “Try
as he might, Dad couldn’t get those
garden centres to stop buying from up
north. So one day he threw the gates
open, put out a sign written on the back
of an old crate, and the rest is history!”
Noel expanded to the 10 acre nursery
on Shands Rd, and South Pacific Roses
still sells directly to the public from
here, as well as to Councils, resthomes,
and community and botanical gardens.
The family grows around 100,000 roses
annually, of about 300 varieties. Anyone
can order from the website, which is
a well organised riot of varieties and
colours.
3rd
generation
The Selwyn site is now run by Noel’s
children. Angela will greet you, offering
indepth knowledge and a great sense
for colour choices and coordination.
Paul is the Production Manager leading
all aspects of the growing, and Glenn
handles commercial customers.
Naturally, all their kids grew up
helping out. Now Glenn’s son James and
Paul’s son Taylor work fulltime in the
production crew, doing the heavy work
of lifting, pruning and potting. They
were surprised how little training they
needed – James says of his childhood:
“I was learning without knowing”.
And Noel? Well he now runs the North
Island operations, in Kāpiti. Turning
80 this year, he is officially semi-retired
but every morning puts on his boots
and overalls and heads outside. He also
visits Shands Rd once a month, keeping
a watchful eye.
The Shands Rd site welcomes
customer walk-ins. You’ll quickly see
that it remains very much a downto-earth
operation – unlike some
contemporary plant nurseries, there’s
no slick shopfront here! What you
receive is great service from the
three-generation family who grow the
roses, in the place where the roses are
grown… and whether he says it or not,
I bet Noel’s pretty proud.
1st & 2nd
generations
– with 4th
in the wings
Friendly welcome: Glenn Wright
South Pacific Roses
780 Shands Road, Prebbleton
Open 7 days / 03 349 6458
www.southpacificroses.co.nz
PLANT ROSES NOW!
Candy Crush Red Corsair Best of Friends
We have 1000’s of beautiful
roses ready to plant for colour & fragrance
• Standard roses • English roses • Climbing roses & much more
780 Shands Road
Phone: 03 349 6458
Open 7 Days
www.southpacificroses.co.nz

10 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
FRUIT TREES | HEDGING PLANTS
LARGE SPECIMEN TREES | EVER
GREEN FLOWERING TREES
Kiwiflora Nurseries propagate and grow quality
shrubs and trees for retail and wholesale customers.
851 Waterholes Road, Templeton | Phone 03 349 4582
Open Mon to Fri 8am-4.30pm and Sat 9am-1pm
www.kiwiflora.co.nz

SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 11
Beginner’s guide: Companion planting
The phrase “vege patch” has a lot to
answer for. When you start out growing
your own veges, it might seem sensible
to plant each type into its own area,
separating them out as logically as
cutlery in a drawer. But nature doesn’t
grow plants like that, so why should we?
There are many benefits from creating
certain combinations in your planting.
What’s known as “companion planting”
is both an art and a science. Here’s
some ways to introduce its biodiversity
principles into your home vege growing.
Foundations
It makes sense to group plants together
that need the same soil conditions. Leafy
crops love nitrogen, including lettuces
and brassicas such as broccoli, bok choy,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
kale and, surprisingly, radishes and
turnips.
On the other hand, crops that flower
then fruit love potassium. If you planted
tomatoes, chilis, capsicums, eggplant,
courgette, corn and pumpkins in the
Nasturtium health
Marigold power
same soils as leafy crops, it would be
their leaves that flourish, not the flowers.
Dimensions
Some plants are, literally, a natural fit.
Sweetcorn has shallow roots and grows
strong and tall, reaching for the sun. So
climbers like beans and peas can hitch
a ride without doing damage. Then
below them, add veges that benefit from
dappled shade and either grow mainly
underground or sprawl out sideways,
like potatoes and pumpkins.
Flower power
Your “vege” patch will flourish best
with a healthy serving of flowers.
Nasturtiums, marigolds, lavender and
chrysanthemums each have roles in
distracting or repelling pests such as
aphids, whitefly and greenfly, while
attracting beneficial insects that prey
on these pests, and that pollinate. Not to
mention, they’re beautiful.
Basil with tomatoes
Herbal influence
Let dill flower freely. It attracts insects
that feed on aphids, and parasitic wasps
that prey on the hornworms that can
do such damage to corn and tomatoes.
Speaking of tomatoes, basil, chives and
parsley are great growing companions,
adding benefits to the soil and enhancing
the tomato flavour, both while it grows as
well as in the salad bowl when served!
There is much published information
about companion planting, so research
the veges most important to you, talk
to knowledgeable staff across Selwyn’s
many garden centres, and start
experimenting. The world of companion
planting is just a trowel’s dig away.
Photos from ReNourish Community Garden
Enjoy your garden..
from the pool!
For a locally owned and operated swimming pool
supplier and installer, look no further than Lagoon
Pools. The husband-wife team of Julie and Warren
Hastings has been working together for over 30
years, making outdoor living dreams come true for
homeowners across Canterbury.
Julie and Warren provide a professional and
customer-focused service and say there really is
a pool for any site. They install pools in sizes to
suit both small and large sections, ranging from
2.9 metres to 12 metres in length with a variety of
widths, colours and shapes. All pools come with
colour-changing lights, and additional features can
include fountains, spa jets and swim jets.
In an additional service much appreciated by its
customers, not only does Lagoon Pools install the
pool, it can also organise the complete package
including paving, decking, landscaping and fencing,
to ensure your entire pool area looks amazing.
The continued popularity of enjoying a pool in
your own backyard has led to huge demand for
the company’s services. It takes around five days to
install a pool and then the finishing touches take
from around six weeks depending upon the design.
“We suggest booking in your pool project well in
advance to make sure your dream comes true,” says
Julie.
You can rest assured with the quality of your
investment – every swimming pool comes with a
lifetime structural warranty. Browse the website to
learn more.
www.lagoonpools.co.nz
03 349 2160 or 0800 92 72 82

12 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
Gardening for renters:
putting down roots
It’s important when you’re renting to
find ways to feel relaxed, secure and able
to shape your environment. If there’s a
garden, there are many ways you can
make it feel like your own.
Even if you can’t control how long you’ll
be staying, these techniques are portable
so you’ll have the pleasure of taking them
with you to your next place.
Pots, pots, pots
Flowers, herbs, veges, berries… keep
yourself happy and healthy with potted
plants.
You can even create your own orchard:
dwarf fruit trees are a delight, covered in
blossom in spring then real-sized fruits in
summer.
Outdoor furniture
This transforms a space visually, and
lets you enjoy your garden your way.
Maybe it’s all about the bbq and picnic
table. Or that special coffee nook, perfectly
positioned for morning sun, or the comfy
reclining chair where you can lose yourself
in a book for an afternoon.
Outdoor lighting
Even on those nights you don’t feel like
being outside, you can still look out on a
beautifully lit garden or patio. Safe outdoor
lighting is readily available, in choices of
mains-powered, battery operated, and
solar powered.
Strings of fairy lights are now usually
LED, and absurdly cheap to run. Many
external lights are colour-changing, with
easy-to-use remote controls, so you can
change your garden’s appearance night
after night.
Garden ornaments and art
Choosing garden art to suit your tastes
and to enhance particular spots in your
garden is a fun and satisfying experience.
Local markets and fêtes typically have
many styles to choose from, and are a good
way to connect directly with your local
community.
Contribute to the garden’s future
Yes, your lease probably says you have
to do mowing and weeding, but if you love
a garden, you may want to leave a little of
yourself behind in it.
For example, knowing that you’ve
pruned plants for their maximum longterm
health, or planted a few bulbs in a suitable
spot that will flower again year after year,
will give you a lovely sense of connection
to that place long after you’ve moved on.
We make lawn and
hedge care easy -
RK Lawns & Hedges
keeps your yard looking
fresh all year round.
OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE:
• Landscaping
• New lawn ground prep & seeding
• Lawn repairs
• Irrigation installation
• Hedge trimming
• Lawn Mowing
• Dethatching
• Spraying
contact@rklawnsandhedges.com | rklawnsandhedges.com
027 505 4879 | “RK Lawns & Hedges”
Dwarf peach – striking in all seasons
AM305E NERA
900SQM Capable
Systematic Mowing (Mows in straight Lines)
*New* EdgeCut Blade System
GPS Assisted Navigation
AM410XE NERA
1500SQM Capable
Systematic Mowing (Mows in straight lines)
*New* EdgeCut Blade System
Object Detection & Avoidance
$3,789 $5,289
Including Wire Free Tech (GPS)
Including Wire Free Tech (GPS)
AM430X NERA
4800SQM Capable
Systematic Mowing (Mows in straight Lines)
Object Detection & Avoidance
GPS Assisted Navigation
AM580 EPOS
16,000SQM Capable!
Top of the line high performance GPS Automower
Built for Sports grounds & Large Lifestyle Properties
Control Via the App anywhere in the world
Capable of Mowing 16,000SQM!
$7,429 $16,980
Including Wire Free Tech (GPS)
Including Wire Free Tech (GPS)
SHANDS HUSQVARNA 706 Main South Road
Phone 03 349 8955 | www.shands.co.nz

SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 13
DIY YOUR OUTDOOR DREAMS
Landscape Supplies open to
the public 7 days a week
Intelligro is your local landscape
supply manufacturer.
Locally owned and operated for
over 49 years.
Our products are available in
bags and bulk. Online and
instore.
Landscape Supplies
Garden Grow Fundraiser
BIG NEWS!
We're thrilled offer our garden
grow fundraiser, designed
specifically for schools,
daycares & clubs in
Christchurch and Selwyn! Ready
to raise funds and make a
difference? Check our website
below and learn how you can
get involved today!
www.intelligro.co.nz
Equipment Hire
We're here to make your DIY
landscaping and gardening a lot
easier with our range of local
hire equipment.
We’ve got everything you need,
available from a half day hire
through to overnight and multiday
Please call 03 3479012 to
book
12 steps to starting
a new vegetable garden.
1. Location: Look for a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day.
2. Position: Try to position your garden as close as possible to the house for easy access.
3. Water: Site your garden as close to an outdoor tap as possible for ease of watering.
4. Soil: A good garden starts with the soil. Use good quality Intelligro Certified Organic
Compost or Veggie Mix to enrich the soil.
5. Planting: Don’t be too hasty and fill the entire garden all at once. Leave enough space
for future planting, staggering your planting will provide continuous supply.
6. Timing: Don’t plant too early. Just because the plants are available in the shops doesn’t
mean the time is right to plant them in your garden. Wait until you are sure the chance
of frosts has past.
7. Sowing: Give your plants the best chance to succeed. Begin sowing once the soil has
warmed up, is dry and is workable.
8. Watering: Water well. Most plants will need an average of 2-5cm of water a week, with
containers requiring more.
9. Weeds: Remove weeds as soon as you see them so they don’t have a chance to
produce seeds and spread. The saying goes 'one year seeding is seven years weeding'.
10. Picking: Keep picking regularly. Some plants need to be picked regularly to keep
producing. Courgettes, Peas and Beans would be three examples.
11. Continuous Planting: Keep replenishing the garden with new plants. Replace spent
plants and stagger to provide continuous supply and reduce wastage.
12. Records: Keep records. All gardeners make mistakes so keep a records of when,
where and what you grew. Also note what pests and diseases you had and when they
appeared, as well as weather conditions to help with future growing.
261 Manion Road, Rolleston | 03 347 9012

14 | SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025
ReNourish:
Growing friendships and more
The ReNourish Community Garden
at Pines Resource Recovery Park, near
Rolleston, is a special place where
volunteers connect, build friendships, and
give back to the community. If you’d like to
learn more about gardening and meet likeminded
people, join the volunteering crew!
There’s working bees every Wednesday
10–12 and Saturday 1–3: just show up and
you’ll be given a task and some friendly
guidance. Coordinator Nicky O’Sullivan
welcomes volunteers of all ages and
stages, no experience necessary. Most of
the produce is donated to the foodbank at
The Salvation Army Rolleston’s Generation
House.
Volunteers gain great gardening
experience, bond with fellow volunteers
over a cuppa and a bickie, and can take
home some fruits of their labour. One of
the regulars says: “These working bees are
a highlight of my week! I get to escape the
daily grind, meet other lovely people, and
feel connected to nature.”
ReNourish is part of the multi-faceted
ReConnect project, inspiring people
to think differently about waste. Nicky
says: “Look closely at our garden and you’ll
see all sorts of quirks. From a bath to
a bedhead to pavers from Rolleston town
centre, we re-purpose whatever materials
and equipment come our way, giving good
items another life.”
See ReNourish’s Facebook page for
inspirational photos, and to hear about
working bees, workshops, seed swaps and
more.
renourish.garden@selwyn.govt.nz
www.selwyn.govt.nz/renourish
Top of the range
If you’re looking to boost your outdoor
spaces this spring, then why not invest in
some stunning trellis work? Combining
style with practically, a trellis can offer a
real lift to your garden.
And with 30 years of experience, Trellis
Warehouse is the name you can trust when
it comes to trellis products.
The experienced team have been looking
after Cantabrians and their gardens for
three decades and offer a wide range of
trellis products, including trellis
panelling and fencing, picket panelling
and gates, archways, picnic tables,
summer seats, gazebos, heat pump covers
and much more.
Whether you have a project in mind
or are in need of some inspiration to
boost your garden, the friendly and
knowledgeable team will provide a free no
obligation consultation, measure and quote
to discuss your plans.
If you decide to go ahead with the
work, Trellis Warehouse will carefully
organise each and every detail of the
project, including custom-making products,
arranging delivery, painting, staining and
installing.
So all you gave to do it sit back and
watch on as your dream garden becomes
a reality.
All products are custom-made on site at
the Trellis Warehouse factory in Addington,
trellis
using premium-grade treated pine – and
the team are happy to take on retail, trade
and wholesale customers.
The factory is open to the public
Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm
and Saturday 8.30am to 11.30am.
You can also head to the Trellis
Warehouse website to see plenty of photos
of previous work to inspire you.
www.trelliswarehouse.co.nz
For more information pop into
Trellis Warehouse, 16A Clarence
Street South, Addington, Christchurch
8024 or email the team on info@
trelliswarehouse.co.nz
Waste less, grow more!
Every year, thousands of tonnes of organic waste ends up
in rubbish bins.
A recent study of Selwyn rubbish bins showed over 44% of the contents could
have gone in the organics bin or been composted at home. Turning food and
garden waste into compost is a simple way you can lower your greenhouse gas
emissions from waste, while also improving soil health.
Quality Trellis Products
Organics
44.3%
Recycling
11.5%
Hazardous
0.8%
Rubbish
43.4%
Diagonal, square
& oriental panels
and gates
Picket, paling
& combo panels
and gates
Archways, summer
seats, picnic tables
and gazebos
In an organics bin, you can put in:
· Garden prunings, · Fruit and vegetables
weeds, clippings, · Coffee grinds and
and leaves
loose tea leaves
· Meat, bones, fish,
and eggshells
Find out more at
selwyn.govt.nz/organics
· Breads, pastries,
and dairy products
• Free quotes • Made to measure • Staining & painting • Delivery & installation
• Canterbury owned & operated • No job too big or too small
• Everything made at our factory using premium grade treated pine
Monday - Friday: 8am – 4.30pm
Saturday: 8.30am – 11.30am
03 338 6960
16a Clarence Street South
(off Lincoln Rd), Addington, Chch
www.trelliswarehouse.co.nz

SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 15
Compost
Mulch
Bark
Decorative Stones
Soil & Lawn
Pavers
Permeable Paving
Hire Service
Hard Fill
Order Online
Quote | Click & Collect | Delivery
Garden Box has Christchurch’s largest range of bulk landscape supplies.
We are committed to helping Canterbury gardeners
“Create Better Gardens.”
Proud to be a local family-owned and operated business.
Phone: 03-348 2915 | Email: ask@gardenbox.co.nz

Your local spring
planting specialists.
Visit our
Great Plant Centre
Child and Dog friendly
Open 7 days
Kevea
The office pup.
/ southernwoodsnursery
Southern Woods, proudly part of the Selwyn
community for over a generation.
Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Southern Woods is one
of the South Island’s leading nurseries, growing millions
of plants each year. From native revegetation to fruit
trees, they supply hardy, healthy plants that thrive in
Selwyns tough conditions. With a down-to-earth team,
a vibrant plant centre and an easy-to-use online store,
Southern Woods makes it simple to get yourself growing.
Southern Woods has been supplying dependable advice
and proven plants for over 30 years. The range spans
nut and fruit trees, New Zealand natives, specimen trees,
landscape shrubs and specialist forestry species.
Most plants are grown on-site and cared for by a crew of
50, many of whom have been in the game for decades.
Their practical knowledge is rooted in experience and
makes all the difference to getting a project thriving.
“Selwyn is a diverse district, with plenty of tricky planting
sites”, explains Business Development Manager Rico.
“Many of our staff live nearby, which means that they
have hands-on understanding of which plants will suit
your property’s location, soil type and aspect.”
Whether you are after a quick answer in the plant centre,
a full on-site consultation, or someone to make sense
of an existing landscape plan, the Southern Woods
team can step in where you need them. Delivery runs
nationwide, so no matter where you are, it’s easy to get
plants to your project.
For Selwyn residents, having Southern Woods on the
doorstep means expert advice, proven plants and
everything you need to build a garden that lasts.
Check out southernwoods.co.nz, give the friendly team
a call on 0800 800 352, or, even better, pop in to 1002
Robinsons Road, Rolleston to get inspired.
Riparian Specials
Restore riverbanks, filter runoff, and support
biodiversity with Southern Woods’ riparian specials.
Shop Online
Their 0.2 L Ellepot revegetation range - in
biodegradable paper pots - makes planting easy,
efficient, and plastic-free. Bulk pricing available.
Whether for a small stream or large lake, get your order
in today before the weather gets too warm.
Spring planting tips
Spring is the one of the best planting seasons. This time
of year is an ideal time to plant most species.
Preparation is everything
Remember to prepare your soil before planting. You may
need to dig out marginal soils and bring in extra nutrition.
Mix in plenty of compost and gypsum for best results.
Protect from pests and diseases
Pests and diseases thrive as your garden grows.
Use Neem granules and oil to help ward off any nasties.
It’s the perfect time to mulch
Keeps the moisture in and the weeds out. See our
friends down the road at Intelligro for great advice and
supply.
A great time to fertilise
As plants re-enter their growth phase, they need lots of
nutrition. We recommend Grotabs slow release fertiliser
and Yates Thrive Liquid Fish & Seaweed.
Need help?
See our expert team for free quotes, plant sourcing
landscape design, consultations and much more.
Open 7 Days - 1002 Robinsons Road, Between Templeton & Rolleston - Phone 0800 800 352 - Order Online New Zealand Wide southernwoods.co.nz