Country garden in a unique setting

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 8

Country garden in a unique setting

Thelma Strongman

People and their gardens

Deeply recessed in a remote southern bay of Banks Peninsula is Te Oka, the garden of Dr and Mrs Gordon Harper.

The farm to which the house belongs was developed from the turn of the century, originally having been part of the Kinloch Estate at the head of Lake Forsyth. The early inhabitants of Te Oka planted some beautiful trees including a variegated tulip tree, birches, and larches, blue Atlas cedars, and some camellias.

It is thought that their supplies for the farm and the plants must have been brought by sea to the little bay, but today a road goes over the high ridge to link with the main road at Little River.

The Harpers’ garden was originally designed for lowmaintenance as for some years the house was used as a week-end home.

Rhododendrons were suggested by Mrs Harper as the main theme of the new planting, as it was felt that they could more or less look after themselves in the sheltered valley.

Suface weeds could be simply kept down by spraying and mulching. However, before this, the undergrowth had to be removed and old trees taken out since they were now growing too close to the house.

An untidy line of macrocarpa on one side of the garden, and another of phebalium which had been planted for shelter in the early years, were taken down as their presence was no longer necessary. In the aftermath of this, Dr and Mrs Harper now consider themselves somewhat expert in the art of bonfire-making. But many replacement specimen trees such as the dawn redwood, swamp cypress, catalpa, gleditsia, albizia, and maples have since been planted in the garden. Although Te Oka Bay faces in a southerly direction, salt-laden winds from the sea are arrested before they reach the garden.

Occasionally a disturbing wind from the north-east zooms down the valley from the top of the ridge, but the greatest problem of the garden is the possums which attack the new shoots of the roses and smash the branches of young trees. The rhododendron theme of the garden begins just outside the house. Here tender Vireya or Malesian varieties are grown in pots. This is part of the entertainment area of the garden, where a sheltered deck and small, brick-paved areas lend a feeling of intimacy and enclosure. Overhead a large old

amelanchier puts forward delicate white blossoms, which are fugitive but later give rise to bright berries and beautiful . colour changes in the autumn leaves.

Beyond this is a formal rose garden.

Sheltered by huge old camellias, a Judas tree, and magnolias, the plantings of rhododendron begin. Here are many old favourites mixed with some interesting new American hybrids. At the end of the path is Else Frye, putting forth beautiful, large, white trum-pet-shaped florets with a hint of pink, which fill the surrounding air with a strong heady fragrance. Dr Harper has no special favourites: “I suppose there are some rhododendron enthusiasts who would have nothing but rhododendron species in their garden, but there are some lovely hybrids. I confess I like them all.”

In addition to the flowers, particular enjoyment is gained from the great variability of their leaves — from the large paddleshaped, knobbly texture of R. falconeri to the small, glossy green Nojo Chief, and the tiny pointed leaves of some dwarf varieties. On the undersurface of some rhododendrons a beautiful soft furry brown indumentum is found, looking very much like the suede samples from a high-grade leather store.

One American hybrid, P.J.M., a mauve pink flower with an unusual bronzegreen foliage, has a special significance. Amongst a group of rhododendron enthusiasts from overseas who visited Te Oka was the man who had created the original plant, and had named it with his father’s initials.

Beyond the companion plants of Michelia doltsopa, with its coffee-brown velvet buds, and two species of Drimys — winteri and aromatica — is an area which was formerly a paddock and now has island beds of rhododendrons.

These are enhanced with flat rounded rocks, thickly encrusted with lichens, and part of the valley bedrock, which has been moulded and smoothed by the creek which forms a boundary on this side of the garden. Close by, the undergrowth has been cleared to give glimpses of the rushing water as it tumbles and pours among rocks on its way to the sea. Native plants in this area such as miro and titoki have been retained, and a totara on the far bank adds the charm of age to the scene. The Harpers have also planted several species of kowhai.

At the very end of the garden, in a small pear and walnut orchard, is an area of massed spring bulbs. Nearby, an old rockery, yet to be reclaimed, will probably be planted with dwarf conifers, as a foil to the rhododendrons.

A focal point of the area is a small pond which Dr and Mrs Harper have made in a former boggy area. It is fed by a spring which rises on the other side of the valley and runs down a narrow streamlet into the garden. Close to this and tucked away behind a planting of .rhododendrons is a cherished clump of clivia, flowering for the first time this year.

The pond itself is a project which is to be developed further. Beyond this the tiny outlet stream passes by birches and larches, and through banks overflowing with thick plantings of pure white arum lillies on its way to the creek.

In this area are several varieties of citrus fruits — lemons, limes, . tangelos, mandarins and grapefruit. The feijoas produce well, and there is a banana palm and an avocado pear. Another interesting planting of frost-tender subjects are the leucodendrons established in small terraces on the steep bank which stands back from the creek.

They appear to be thriving with this year’s flowering beginning with an exotic, paper-petalled green variety. “There was no definite plan made for the garden;” explains Mrs.. Harper, “it just grew as we opened up new areas away from the house.”

The Harpers were fortunate to have their son, who farms the valley, help them in this using equipment from the farm.

The easy-care method of spraying the ground weeds continues,. and bark chips for ground cover seem to eliminate much of the work. Two mowers take care of the extensive area of lawn. The large one is driven, and a small hand-mower is used

on the more awkard areas. At Te Oka Bay, Dr and Mrs Harper are creating a delightful garden, but they acknowledge that the surrounding environment adds greatly to its attractions. The steep green walls of the valley give a calm, protective feeling which is very much part of the character of the garden. Signifi-

cant also are the constant sounds of birds such as bell birds and magpies, and the occasional whirr and flap of native pigeon. But it is the rushing downpour of the creek sounding like the teeming of welcome summer rain that pervades the . atmosphere giving this garden its unique character.