Q&A

with David & Brigit Blair

TIPS FOR OTHER GARDENERS: Plant simply, en masse and develop from there. Keep a vision of the seasonal changes (colour, form and texture) and work patiently with them. Don’t be scared to chop, change and chainsaw. (David)

FAVOURITE PLANT COMBINATION: Crab apple blossom with Japanese maples in spring leaf. (Brigit)

BIGGEST MISTAKE: Thinking it was warm enough to grow tamarillos, hibiscus and bougainvillea. They survived a year or two but eventually succumbed to the odd heavy frost. (David)

BEST EDIBLE CROP: Honey! Since installing our own beehive 18 months ago, the garden has improved and our pōhutukawa honey is superb. (David)

THE THING I’VE LEARNED ABOUT GARDENING IS: Whatever you are doing in the garden, it is a refuge. (David)

MOST SIGNIFICANT TREES IN THE GARDEN: Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’, pōhutukawa, the 12m 35-year-old kauri outside the kitchen window and the 30-year-old puka by the front door. (Brigit)