Le Plaisir: A Conversation with the Owner

Reliable Colour Shrubs

• Nandina/Heavenly Bamboo varieties (attractive year-round foliage):
  • Gulf Stream
  • Lemon Lime
  • Firepower
• Lavender (attracts bees, thrives in dry conditions)
• Camellia (good winter/early spring flowering)
• Escallonia (can be grown as either shrub or hedge)
• Hebe Wiri Mist (popular, reliable, and low maintenance)
• Hebe Red Edge (a robust plant with lilac-coloured flowers which gradually fade to white)

Trees That Work

• Paper Bark Maple (hardy variety)
• Norway Maple (reliable performer)
• Prunus /Flowering Cherries (beautiful seasonal display)
• Malus/Ornamental Apple (excellent for gardens)
• Weeping Pear (sturdy branches handle local conditions)
• Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ (smaller variety, good for gardens)

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach.”

Plan Smart, Plant Smarter

Careful planning is the key, says Paul Saunders, Nursery Manager at Sublime.

“Soil preparation is a foundation that’s particularly important in new developments where topsoil may have been scraped away during construction, leaving less-than-ideal growing conditions behind,” he says.

“Then, rather than rushing to fill every corner with plants, I suggest taking an observational approach.”

There’s often the temptation to rush in and quickly plant everything straight away, says Paul, but the key is to take your time.

“Start with your hedging and shelter first,” he says. “This foundational step will create beneficial microclimates throughout your garden and an initial shelter belt that not only protects against Canterbury’s winds but also helps manage frost patterns across your section”.

Indeed, careful attention to sun exposure and positioning should help you decide which plants should go where.

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach,” says Jo.

“Plants on your north face need to be the ones that don’t mind full-on sun, which can be quite harsh, especially along with those easterly winds. Good fencing can help in that respect.”

“Think of your garden as a blank canvas—just with some unique factors you have to take into account to get the best result.”

Simply put, success comes from working with the unique Canterbury environment rather than against it. By choosing locally adapted plants and taking the time to understand your property’s specific conditions, you can create a garden that not only survives but thrives through our region’s dramatic seasonal changes.