Planting days 2025
This year’s public planting days will be on: Saturday 7 June, Saturday 21 June, and Sunday 13 July. Planting is from 10am to 1pm, followed by a free BBQ.
Planting 2018 all done
The planned planting site for 2018 was changed after the storm in May 2017 which caused a major slip adjacent to the Lookout Track. This massive rainfall neared 200mm and this slip at the end of the airstrip was the major site of damage in the park. It is hoped that the plants will help…
Planting 2018
EXTRA DAY: Sat 21 July Because of the forecast for bad weather on Sunday we are having an extra planting day this Saturday 21 July. Sunday is still on as planned, but if the weather is terrible again check our facebook page for a cancellation. 17 June, 15 & 22 July Public planting days for…
Pimelia orthia- a threatened plant
Shakespear Open Sanctuary is a sanctuary not only for birds and reptiles but also for rare and threatened plants. Pimelea orthia is one such plant. It is possible that the park’s pest free status is allowing its numbers to expand as well as the suitable habitat being present. The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network categorises…
All | Plants | Volunteers
Planting dates, 2016
Since the formation of the Park in 1975, annual planting has greatly extended the original areas of native bush. Steeper gully areas have been fenced off and the current planting plan aims to fill gradually these. Public plantings for 2016 are on the mornings of June 12, Jun 19 and July 17. These are all…
Planting days, June 14 & 21 and July 19
Since the formation of the Park in 1975, annual planting has greatly extended the original areas of native bush. Steeper gully areas have been fenced off and the current planting plan aims to fill gradually these, this year focusing on areas between Pink Beach and the Campground. Public planting days for 2105 are as above,…
Get rid of ginger
While some types of ginger can look nice in your garden you’ll regret having any of the ‘wild’ gingers. Yellow ginger and kahili ginger were both introduced as garden plants but they quickly form dense and impenetrable mats of rhizomes which smother anything else. In the wild these can grow to a metre deep and…
Planting money trees
While helping to plant trees at the planting day yesterday, Lucy Nie and and her friends from Kristen School also planted some ‘money trees’. They dramatised their day’s work and Lucy has made it into this very appealing video. Make sure you watch to the end.
Watch out for Myrtle Rust
This serious fungal disease is well established in Australia and affects plants of the myrtle family. Unfortunately this includes some common natives like rata, pohutukawa and manuka, and since the spores could be carried here by wind a biosecurity alert has been issued to watch out for it. It can also attack fruit like feijoas…
Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is our featured pest plant this month, because right now its seed heads are evident everywhere in our district. The plants form large grassy clumps with a dead leaf base. Its erect and bushy flower heads are quite attractive and easily recognised, emerging January to March, but unfortunately they are prolific producers of seeds which then blow…