Pukeiti

Arguably the most publicised garden in New Plymouth is Pukeiti, essentially a huge Rhododendron collection set in the context of a logged regrown hillside on the shoulders of Mt. Taranaki, the dominant landscape element of the New Plymouth region. I have to liken Teriyaki to Mt Rainer, we know its there, we just can’t always prove it photographically.



Development of the garden began in 1951, breeding and evaluation of Rhododendrons was the driving force of this garden, as the relatively acidic soils of the region suited this work. The area has been logged extensively, and was completely devastated. Gulleys that were carved by logs being dragged down the mountainside by mechanical means still crisscross the garden and today appears as small stream valleys.




Very well maintained lawn paths weave you through collections of Rhodos, and some herbaceous plantings that try to tie them the garden. Sorry, it slipped. This is a collection of plants that attempts to be a garden, I’m getting jaded.