Plan A becomes Plan B

Close-up image of a cluster of pink rhododendron flowers with dark blotches and prominent stamens, set against a background of green leaves.

Oh, how plans love to change! Steve and I originally had this grand idea to plant popular oaks to helpbreak the wind and shield our shiny new propagation house from that relentless Canterburynor’wester and the harsh western sun. All was going well—earthworks done, smiles allaround—until our lovely contractor piped up: “Knowing you, you’ll want a…

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Floral Arrangements with Anne Gane

A woven basket with a handle, filled with pink flowers and green leaves from Rhodo Direct, sits elegantly on a wooden surface.

Over the past month, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Anne Gane, a talented florist you can see at the upcoming Rakaia Fete. Anne has been helping us bring our beautiful rhododendrons into unique table settings. While rhododendrons aren’t often used in floral design, their vibrant colours, unique textures, and striking blooms make them…

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Indumentum & Tomentum

Close-up of a plant with thick, elongated leaves. The inner leaves have a dusty, white indumentum coating, while the outer leaves are green. The center shows a budding flower.

What is indumentum in rhododendrons? Indumentum refers to the soft, woolly or velvety layer of hairs found on the underside of rhododendron leaves. It can vary in colour from silvery-white to reddish-brown and serves to protect the plant from harsh weather and moisture loss. What is tomentum in rhododendrons? Tomentum is a dense layer of…

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A Little Spring Cleaning: Embracing Change & Growth

A person stands among potted flowering plants under a pergola, smiling and holding a plant label in a plant nursery, embracing change and growth.

Spring has officially sprung at our nursery, and we’re in full spring-cleaning mode—just call me Marie Kondo! This season of renewal is the perfect time to refresh, reorganise, and make way for new growth, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here. One of the first things you’ll notice on your next visit is our brand-new…

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