Te Puna Quarry Park in Tauranga, New Zealand

[Tecophilaea King]

Maybe not as colourful as the Fuchsia's, I couldn't help myself to take a picture of the old fashion Digitalis foxglove in the park.
Digitalis (foxglove)

[Tecophilaea King]

The Rododendrons and Azelea's area of the park unfortunatly have just finished flowering, the birds don't seem to mind.

[Tecophilaea King]

Here are a couple of pictures of the recent Bromeliads plantings by the Bromeliad Society volunteers.
Bromeliad species.

[Tecophilaea King]

These South African spectacular Protea's in the park prefer a acid, sandy, peaty soil that has good drainage, and like full sun.
Protea flowers vary in colour and form; most are enormous cup-shaped bracts around flower heads that are woolly (almost creature like) in apearance and usually appear in winter and spring.
Protea cynaroides, the King Protea.
Protea nerifolia

[Tecophilaea King]

Cymbidiums are the most popular orchids in the home garden and New Zealand leads the way in hybrids and come in many colours.
Cymbidiums are probably the the easiest orchid to grow and are happy out of doors throughout the year in mild areas and, when frost appears, containers can be shifted inside for the winter.
In the Quarry Park they are permanent and get protection from overhead trees and large ferns.
Orchid cymbidiums

[Tecophilaea King]

The staghorn fern Platcerium holtummii is another interesting epiphytic perennials or "air" plants. Staghorns are native to jungles in Africa, Madagascar, Australia, Tropical Asia and one species (Andinum) is from South America, Peru and Bolivia
Staghorn ferns can be found high in tall trees attached to, but not growing "in" the bark. What that means is stags don't need or use soil as do land plants
The last picture is another beautiful white Dendrobium Orchid, just as happy as the Cymbidiums in the park.
Platcerium holtummii
Dendrobium Orchid

[Tecophilaea King]

Close to the pond in a wet spot, I found this clump of Primula species and the Gunnera manicata I think.
I don't know the name of the Primula, perhaps someone could ID it for me.
Thanks, Bill

[Lesley Cox]

Primula helodoxa.

[Tecophilaea King]

Primula helodoxa.

Thanks Lesley, as usual, the first to reply and ID correctly. We'll always need you warts and all 

[Tecophilaea King]

Also near the pond in the park a couple of Iris species: Iris laevigata and Iris pseudacorus I think. I stand to be corrected.
Iris laevigata.
Iris pseudacorus.

[David Nicholson]

I'm no expert Bill but don't think your second one is Iris pseudacorous which should be yellow. Maybe it's another I. laevigata?

[Tecophilaea King]

I'm no expert Bill but don't think your second one is Iris pseudacorous which should be yellow. Maybe it's another I. laevigata?

David, I was not sure either, you could be right. Thanks
We'll wait for good old Lesley to tell us we're both wrong 

[David Nicholson]

Very wise Bill, very wise indeed

[Ian Y]

Open season in Lesley-bashing,it seems....
Some of us appreciate you, Lesley 

[David Nicholson]

We all appreciate Lesly Ian, if we didn't she'd soon tell us