Out with old, in with the new!

Out with old, in with the new!

There have been some major changes at the Castaways beach verge garden of late. The established Metrosideros (NZ Christmas Bush) hedge was chain-sawed down over Christmas. While they were pretty in flower, their removal has created space for a variety of beautiful local coastal shrubs to shine in their place!

Replacement shrubs include:

Acacia flavescens – Primrose Ball Wattle

Petalostigma pubescens – Hairy quinine

Acmena smithii minor – Small – leaved Lilly Pilly

Elaeocarpus reticulatus – Blueberry Ash

Leptospermum polygalifolium – Wild May

Baeckea frutescens – Weeping Baeckea

Acacia complanata – Flat Stemmed Wattle

I’m not expecting all of these to thrive. It’s a challenging site with sandy soil, exposure to strong coastal winds and westerly sun. But it’s so much fun to experiment. Some of these species will grow into a small tree if left to their own devices, so I’ll be pruning to encourage bushiness and keep the height to around 2 metres.

The tubestock we planted during the working bee in July 2025 are thriving. The Myoporum boninense and acuminatum in particular are growing vigorously and provide a lush and verdant feel. These are great plants for dry, tricky spots in the garden.

Stay tuned for a verge workshop and site tour later this year!

Sarah Lawson