Wellington Gardens. Successful gardening for Wellington, Kapiti coast and Wairarapa, by Jon Muller .

The Wellington City Council
Ecological Zone Map

Click on the map for an enlargement (70k)

Plants suited to zones.........excerpts
Plants that are suitable for the different zones are listed below. Each group of plants is divided into trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals ( including biennials), groundcovers and climbers. Further groupings are included, such as whether the plant is suitable as a shelter plant, or if it prefers different conditions, such as dry shade.

While these lists are based on the prevailing conditions found in each area, you need to consider your own garden environment. For example, you may get heavy frosts, but you can plant frost-tender plants under the protection of larger trees. You can also use frost-tender annuals during autumn, knowing that they will die in the winter frosts.

Likewise, if you live in a coastal environment, as your shelter plants grow and you improve the soil, you can use more sensitive plants.

Group A: Very exposed coastal areas
These areas are exposed to very strong coastal winds, are frost free, and soils are either sandy or shallow over a rocky base. Includes exposed areas of Duneland, Rocky Coast, Pauatahanui-Porirua Harbour, (Titahi Bay and Plimmerton beach), and Southern Wairarapa (Whangaimoana)

Trees

Shrubs, perennials and annuals

* Pingao is only suitable for the Duneland zone, where the soils are sandy.

Ground covers and trailers

GROUP B: Less exposure to coastal winds, frost-free, soils same as A. Plants will grow near the coast, but where there is some protection. Rocky coastal, Duneland and Pauatahanui-Porirua, Southern Wairarapa Plains, Otaki-Waikanae Alluvial Terraces and areas exposed to the southerlies in the Nikau Belt.

GROUP C: Exposed to strong non-coastal winds, slight to moderate ground frosts (-3 to -5.9C). Nikau Belt, Inland Wellington-Porirua, Lower Hutt central, northern areas of Southern Wairarapa Plains such as Lake Wairarapa, Eastern Wairarapa Foothills.

GROUP D: Areas with no frosts and shelter from the wind (no coastal wind). This includes all zones that are not coastal, with shelter
provided from the wind and frost eg under established trees if marked S.

GROUP E: Areas with slight to moderate frosts( -3C to -5.9C). Light winds, which are not coastal. This includes Western Inland Hill Country, sheltered areas of Nikau Belt, and Inland Wellington-Porirua.

GROUP F: Areas with moderate to heavy ground frosts( -6C and lower). Plants that can tolerate strong non-coastal winds are shown with key Sh. Note that plants such as clivia or rengaranga that tolerate shade and dry conditions can be planted under trees or house eaves for frost protection.
Includes Central Wairarapa Plains, Hutt & Wanuiomata (other than Hutt Central), Northern Wairarapa, Inland Wairarapa Hill Country,
Ohariu Valley.

Excerpts

A successful Maungaraki Garden analysed

21 gardens
Photos and comments

Wellington's
Ecological zones
Map & Suitable plants

Praise for Wellington Gardens

Introduction
Contents
How to use this book

Buy books

General garden information
· Wind - Temperature - Sunlight · Rainfall · Topography · Compost · Weeds · Lawns
· Using professionals

Acknowledgements