Natalie’s spring garden blog 2026. A time of great energy, planting for dry conditions, the Streltizia and upcoming spring festivals.
No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn — Helen Hayes
All winter we anticipate the arrival of spring, and suddenly it is here. Spring energises us and our gardens, and we can’t wait to feel the soil and start working, immediately at peace. Our senses are heightened. Seeing flowers, hearing birdsong, touching and feeling texture. We welcome spring, feeling hopeful and joyful.
Planting for dry conditions
It seems very early to be thinking about summer and possible drought, but we’re heading into an El Nino year. Spring and summer weather is likely to be drier and windier than usual. It was chilly and cold in the latter part of winter, and hard to relate to the extreme summer heat Europe experienced as we shivered. We’re unlikely to get these severe high temperature, but should expect some hot weather to be heading our way.
It’s not just about the potential drying aspect of more wind, less rainfall, and higher temperatures but also the ‘hot’ topic of water! Water is a precious resource and as gardeners we understand the importance of limiting our garden watering as much as we can. I know I’m not alone in growing plants that I need at times to give a little more attention to when the weather’s frosty, windy or dry. I hate to say this, but these plants need to be in the minority as we head to a future which is likely to be drier and windy. Many of us in Kapiti also have sandy, stony and light soils which gives us even more encouragement to look at our plantings. The time is right for us to look at plantings suitable for a drier environment. It’s always much easier to work with nature than to work against it.
What is a dry garden?
Dry gardens are gardens for the future, providing beauty and low maintenance gardening. When we think about sustainable gardening, we’re talking about dry gardens. Dry gardens offer interest combining striking textures, strong colours and structure just like many other garden styles. Often succulents, mediterranean herbs and plants, and feature rocks form the backbone of a dry garden. As the image below shows Leucospermums and Echiums thrive in dry gardens.
The first thing to do is looking at your garden to figure out where the driest areas are. Dry gardens can evolve. You don’t need to pull everything out to start from scratch. Find some gaps and plant a mixture of longer-lived and shorter-lived shrubs, perennials and annuals. Encourage self-seeding and have fun. Focus on interesting shapes and textures, instead of colour, and you will find the different plants will enhance each other. Repeating shapes guides your eye and gives your garden design a cohesive feel.
We need to look no further than the drier areas of NZ for some inspiration on the plants that will grow well. A mixture of native and exotic plants ensures there’s interesting seasonal change, and plenty of birdlife. Interestingly many silver, blue-grey foliage plants survive well in drought conditions.
Natives
Coprosma, kowhai, meulenbeckia, pittosporums, ribbonwood, corokia, manuka, red and silver tussocks, olearia, carex, chionochloa, libertia.
Deciduous
Deciduous trees tend to do well in drier conditions. rowan, oaks and dogwoods, elms, maples, lilacs and magnolias are all good choices. Flowering cherries, Hydrangea ‘Limelight’, viburnums, lavenders, sasanqua camellias, choisya, silver pear, also do well. Roses often don’t need as much watering as you’d expect. Especially the David Austins.
South African and Australian
South African and Australian plant species do very well in dry conditions. Grevillea, Kangaroo Paw, Protea, Leucadendron, Banksia, Lomandra, Echium.
Cottage
Cottage garden plants: sedums, catmint, hostas if planted in shade, helleborus, euphorbia, pimelea, veronica, rosemary, sage, cistus, lamb’s ear, geraniums, bergenia, potentilla, santolina.
Flowers
Zinnias, marigolds, wildflowers, poppies, and salvias.
Garden design elements
There are some garden design elements worth considering. Large trees provide welcome shade not just for us, but also for plants in the garden. Water features like ponds and bird baths are aesthetically cooling, and a welcome delight for birds and bees. Significant numbers of birds bathe and drink from our two bird paths. Often appearing at times to be queueing, waiting for their turn before being hussled away by an often, bigger bird objecting to the amount of time they’re luxuriating in the water!
Pergolas and arches add structure, while also providing sone shade and a vertical growing space for drought tolerant climbers. Fencing, hedges and feature trees also add shade. If you haven’t already install a rain collecting tank as a reservoir for watering. Gravel surfaces are very effective in reducing soil disturbance, reflecting heat away from plants, reducing the need for frequent weeding and watering. Concrete surfaces and gravity can direct rainfall into areas creating ponding. Permeable paving allows rainwater to seep into the ground. Stepping stones are a good option, working well with groundcover planted between stones. Composting helps the soil to retain moisture while also managing weeds.
Dry gardens are sustainable, colourful, resilient and low maintenance. It’s all about choosing the right plant, for the right place and planting at the right time, to allow your plants to establish well, ideally before autumn or spring. Put your feet up and sit in some garden shade this summer, appreciating the wonders of a dry garden.
The Strelitzia aka bird of paradise, or the crane flower
The strelitzia was introduced into England in 1773, and is named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who became queen to George III. It’s native to South Africa and the brilliant orange and blue flowers are very intriguing, resembling tropical birds. There are several species with the Strelitzia reginae the most popular. The “Blue and White Strelitzia” (Strelitzia nicolai) grows to about 6 metres and its standout feature is the drama of its banana like leaves. At the opposite end of the size spectrum, we have the “Rush leaved Strelitzia” (S. parvifolia juncea), growing to about 1.5 m. Its leaves are narrow and held on tall, stiff stalks. The ‘reginae’ (in S. reginae) means queen and this species also grows to about 1.5m. The Strelitzia has both a tropical and strong architectural quality about it, with flowers prized for their longevity. Nectar feeding birds and bees are attracted to its vivid orange flowers. The S. reginae has been recognised with the NZ Garden Excellence Award, and the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. Strelitzia reginae below loves a sheltered, sunny spot and once established is surprisingly drought resistant.
Did you know?
Plants can communicate with each other. Scientists have discovered that plants release chemicals into the air and soil that can be used to signal other plants. For example, if a plant is attacked by a predator, it can release chemicals that warn nearby plants to produce chemicals to repel the predator. This communication between plants is called ‘plant talk’ and shows us that plants are not only living organisms but also have complex systems for survival and adaptation.
Tomato plants for example, warn their neighbours about pest attacks. As soon as caterpillars begin to chomp on their leaves, the plant releases airborne chemicals that drift to nearby tomatoes. Neighbouring plants then boost their own protective compounds, making them less appealing to eat.
Flower shows, garden festivals and a harvest festival
There are wonderful flower shows and garden festivals heading our way this spring. I’ve also included a harvest festival celebrating incredible produce. What gardener doesn’t like being inspired by someone else’s garden and learning new ways of gardening. Here are some events to keep an eye out for:
Hutt Valley Horticultural Society spring show,12-13 September
Manawatu Orchid Society spring show, 26-27 September
Wellington Orchid Society spring show, 10-11 October
Garden Marlborough Festival, Blenheim, 5-10 November
Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, 30 October – 8 November
Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival, 30 October – 8 November
A Garden Affair, Te Horo includes a garden lovers’ market, Sunday 22 November
Harvest Hawke’s Bay, 21 November.
Gardening gems
It’s the ideal time to sow your favourite flower and veggie seedlings
A dry, windy summer is predicted. Now is a good time to start mulching.
Feed strawberries, roses, citrus and other fruit trees
Spray fruit trees with a copper spray and summer oil.
Once the risk of frosts has passed, plant out pepper, aubergine and tomato seedlings
Keep on top of weeds
Plant out annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs
Restore patches in your lawn. Add compost or topsoil. Re-seed with tall fescue lawn seed
Plant out swan plant trees to encourage monarch butterflies
Start planning for summer bulbs now: Hippeastrums, Dahlias, Gladioli and Lilies.
Don’t forget with a dry, windy summer on the horizon to keep an eye out for drought resistant plants you can add to your garden. As you the image below shows there are stunningly beautiful flowers that flourish in dry conditions. Enjoy all the wonders of spring gardening!
Natalie Quirke
Garden designer
Dip Hort, Dip Hort Mgt, NDH
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