Travelling around the globe with Remuera Gardens

Remuera Gardens’ residents feel very grateful to live surrounded by a nature haven with several hundred different species of trees and plants. The 2- and 3-bedroom townhouses, along with the apartments, are enveloped by acres of lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and well-manicured lawns. With its exceptional landscaped park, the village truly provides a serene lifestyle, complemented by its location at the end of a peaceful Remuera street.

With the garden boasting a diverse array of species from across continents, residents can travel around the world without ever needing to leave the village. The village’s passionate gardener, Aaron Sweden, has been meticulously cataloguing each plant for the last eight years. Although it's a time-consuming endeavour, he finds immense joy in the task and takes great pride in the wealth of knowledge he has amassed along the way.

We will start our journey today with Aaron in front of the Podocarpus Neriifolius or Oleander Podocarp, a conifer related to New Zealand's Totara tree. This species is native to regions spanning from Southeast Asia to the Western Pacific, and its leaves bear a resemblance to those of the commonly cultivated oleander bush. The Oleander Podocarp is a tree that produces valuable construction lumber. Many parts of this tree, commonly gathered from the wild, are utilized as medicine and as a source of food because its fruits are edible.

Originating from Brazil, we encounter a native plant species whose captivating blooms take our breath away. The Neomarica caerulea, or Walking Iris, is an unusual member of the Iris family that blooms in spring. It has blue flowers intricately banded in yellow, white, and cinnamon. The blooms occur in waves over several weeks, and they only last one day. Aaron, who is a devoted gardener but also a very skilled photographer, captured a picture of this magnificent bloom last spring.

Also from Brazil, in Remuera Gardens, we can find the Vriesea philippo-coburgii, or flaming sword plant. This bromeliad produces a single inflorescence that consists of bright red bracts and yellow flowers. This gorgeous plant can be found outside Beattie Lodge, the central hub of the village, where amenities such as the gym, hair salon, library, lounges, community center, and the 45-tiered seat professional cinema are located.

We’re now traveling from South America to Europe to encounter the Helleborus argutifolius, originating from the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. It’s the largest of its species, reaching a height of one meter, and it bears bowl-shaped light green flowers. 

This Italian plant flourishes heavily for weeks from late winter to early summer, and Aaron captured multiple shots of the splendid blooms.

We continue our journey around the world with a stop in South Africa, where we meet the Portulacaria afra, or elephant bush. As the name suggests, it is eaten by wild elephants, comprising 80% of their diet. Additionally, this plant serves as a carbon sponge, absorbing high levels of carbon from the air.

The Davidia involucrata, also known as the dove tree, is another indigenous species renowned for its stunning blooms, originating from the woodlands of South Central and Southeast China. The white bracts that surround this tree’s flower are its most striking feature. On a breezy day, the bracts flutter in the wind like white doves; hence the English names for this tree.

We will conclude our journey today in New Zealand. Remuera Gardens boasts an array of native plants from Aotearoa, including various specimens of ferns. The Dicksonia fibrosa is prevalent in several areas of the garden, standing out with its towering trunk among the townhouses and apartments. Known as whekī-ponga by the Maori people, it is a splendid addition to any garden and is considered the most attractive of Aotearoa’s native tree ferns.

Over the last eight years, Aaron has been photographing and cataloging all the plants in the village, and he believes he has covered 80% of the village. It’s sometimes more akin to the work of a detective than that of a gardener: he has to conduct extensive research using books, encyclopedias, and the internet. At times, he even takes samples to the Auckland Botanic Gardens to find their matches.

Aaron’s next project is to compile all his knowledge and pictures of the village's roses into a book that all residents at Remuera Gardens can enjoy, as well as the general public. We’re eagerly anticipating its release!

If you’d like to know more about joining our community, contact Lyn at 021 845 524 or email Lyn.Ellis@realliving.co.nz.