AUCKLAND

- Visit award winner Jules Moore’s new subtropical nursery.

The strongest indication that we are in for a good long spell of tropical and subtropical trends and flavours in the garden this year is awardwinning landscape designer Jules Moore’s new nursery, Touch of the Tropics. Opened as soon as Auckland exited strict lockdown late last year, it sprawls over six acres on the outskirts of the North Shore – one of our biggest city’s most densely populated suburbs – a soothing and tranquil oasis full of surprising design features and clever landscape solutions (naturally). And, of course, plants as far as the eye can see: lush ferns, large-leafed trees, soaring bamboo and statuesque palms complemented by a large selection of native New Zealand plants, all punctuated by pops of eye-catching colour from daylilies, vireyas, cannas, camellias and bromeliads.

As you wander through the welcoming landscape, Jules’ eclectic collection of antiques, vintage gardening tools and charming old garden ornaments large and small guide you through to numerous sections or “rooms” of various sizes – each showcase plant combinations that suit the location. They serve, of course, to help you see the possibilities in your own space. Wrestling with a problematic shady spot? See what’s growing in Shade Lovers and Fernery. Looking for lush, larger-than-life plants? Jurassic Junction has what you need. After plants that no-one seems to have anymore? Head over to the specialty plants area – another passion dear to Jules’ heart.

“Apart from the tropicals, we have a lot of unusual and rarer plants here, and my vision is to bring them back into people’s gardens,” she says, pointing out the Dutchman’s pipe vine (Aristolochia macrophylla) that she is training up a palm. Not far from it is the Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum) that needs a sheltered, shady position. “This is the evergreen variety, and I also have the other, a deciduous one,” she explains.

The nursery is dotted with charming cabana-like structures and cool grottos, and some display shelves wear dried flax skirts. All contribute to the warm and inviting tropical feel. There’s more to come too, as Jules has been planning and designing since she bought the property in 2017, starting by first filling in the old swamp that had dominated the space, leaving in place much of the aged bamboo on the boundaries, and an amazing old tree aloe. “There will also be two waterfalls, and a Japanese teahouse accessed from a curved boardwalk,” she says. “I see a stage too, where hopefully we can have live musical shows on Sunday so people can come and enjoy it all.”

She has put lots of seating not just in this area but also around the entire nursery. Folks are meant to meander and soak up the inspiration provided by the various spaces. “When they come, people are meant to go on a journey as they develop their philosophy about what they want to create, their sanctuary,” she explains.

Of course, it was Jules’ Zen Garden that won her Best in Show, Best in Construction Excellence, Horticultural Gold Medal and the Peoples’ Choice Award at the 2018 Auckland Flower and Garden Show.

“On another level, my work has always taken a holistic approach… I want to design places that are hard for people to leave, but then you come out the other side of the garden feeling better and renewed.”

It’s an approach that has served her well. As proud as she is of the accolades though, she regards Touch of the Tropics as the culmination of her years in landscape design and horticulture. “Best of all, Touch of the Tropics is the display I never have to take down,” she smiles.