S E C TCI HO AN T TH EE RA D E R
Blueberry Family ties Blueberries are part of the Ericaceae family (commonly known as the heath or heather family) along with azaleas, rhododendrons, and cranberries. Other relations to the blueberry include sparkleberry, farkleberry, whortleberry, and partridgeberry! Unfortunately these family members live in the States. Here at Palmers we are keeping it blue with blue dawn, blue magic, and tasty blue. Eat up Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse overflowing with antioxidants, fibre, vitamin C, and potassium. They prove that good things really do come in small packages. If this plant were a person it would be… Papa Smurf. Most Smurfs are said to be about 100 years old, but at the advanced age of 546, Papa is the oldest and the leader of all Smurfs. Despite his age, he is still quite energetic. His “obvious” consumption of blueberries must have helped with anti-aging and vitality. Acid trip Blueberries love acidic soil. So plant them in a sunny spot and add organic matter like compost and mulch. If you’ve got clay soil, make liquid sulphur your friend. Once dissolved, it lowers the pH of soil, making it more acidic.
One F l owe r wa tc h i n g Hundreds of mature cherry trees will soon burst into pink and white blossoms, turning Upper Hutt’s Aston Norwood Gardens into a spring wonderland in September. Mark and Fiona Rammell established the gardens in the 1990s, planting more than 350 cherry trees on the 14-acre site at the foot of the Remutaka Hill. Mark says they were inspired to plant the trees after a visit to Kyoto, Japan during Hanami (flower watching) season. This year, the couple are hosting a new event called Blossom Valley (9 September – 3 October) to celebrate the start of spring. As well as enjoying the delicate blooms, visitors can purchase picnics from the onsite cafe, and the gardens will also be open and lit up for special night-time experiences.
Built-in protection You might notice a bit of a whitish covering on some berries, but it’s perfectly natural. It’s called a bloom and it helps protect the berry and keep it juicy.
Ga rd e n g i ve a wa y The metaphor of the garden, seasonal cycles, and nature are at the heart of The Seekers’ Garden, a new novel by Wellington writer Isa Pearl Ritchie. We have a copy of Isa’s book to giveaway. Email hello@capitalmag.co.nz with the subject line “The Seekers’ Garden” to go in the draw.
Did you know? In 2020 the Blueberry emoji debuted on smartphones across the world. Our plant of the month comes from Katherine Beauchamp from Palmers Miramar.
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