Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, we don’t ever do traditional white Christmases. This is on account of us being in summer and currently two days past the summer solstice. It is a very different experience here in the south of the southern hemisphere. I was surprised when I looked around over the last week by quite how many white flowers we have in bloom at this time.
I felt my all white flower lay was not really festive enough for the day before Christmas so I added just a touch of red. Meri Kirihimete, as many (but not all) of us now say in Aotearoa. May your festive season be full of love and laughs, or at least tranquillity.
I have never wanted a white garden myself, but I have looked at them and thought about them in the past. It was UK designer and gardener, Dan Pearson who made me think about the different shades of white which is a very important consideration if any readers are contemplating planting one. Not all whites are the same, not at all. And I wrote about more contemporary approaches to white gardens after our 2017 visit to Italy, France and the UK. Garden styles have evolved since Vita Sackville-West put in her famous white garden at Sissinghurst.
Meantime, please join me on a foray around parts of our summer gardens this week.
There is something very charming in the simplicity of a carpet of white daisies seemingly suspended in the air in the twin borders. Alas these ones only bloom the once and then need to be cut back to the ground level rosettes but they are showy enough for me to forgive them.
The common ox-eye daisies, however, are lighting up the Court Garden. Soon we will cut them back hard and they will be in full bloom again in six weeks.
Rhododendron sino nuttallii was still in full bloom at the start of last week. My favourite rhododendron of all, it flowers late in the season and the only drawback is that warm weather can cut its flowering season short.
Albuca nelsonii is inclined to be large, sometimes unwieldly and in need of some targeted staking, but it is very showy and handsome and the flowers are perfect for adding to Christmas bouquets.
Lychnis coronaria would be a perfect choice for a white and grey garden. We just let it seed down gently in the Wave Garden. I can’t believe I have lost the shocking pink form – I thought it was indestructible.
Alstromerias in white with a sunny yellow throat – but they are probably not white enough for white garden enthusiasts?
Spring was surprisingly late this year, considering our winter was mild, and the lateness of the season has also affected the lilies. Usually, I can pick Lilium regale for Christmas but they have yet to open. The only lily currently in bloom is this compact one in the rockery and I don’t even know what it is. Beautiful flowers, but alas it has no scent.
Finally, I know next to nothing about cacti and succulents and I have no plans to remedy that gap in my knowledge. As a group of plants, they do not inspire me enough to put the effort in but this one in the Rimu Walk delighted me this week. I don’t think I have ever seen it flower before but maybe I just haven’t looked at the right time. Flowering in subtropical woodland, it lit up the area.
Meri Kirihimete one and all.
Kindest regards,
Abbie
Tikorangi The Jury Garden 
Thanks for your weekly updates. I really enjoy them and appreciate the time it must take you to do so. Meri Kirihimete.
Thank you, Paul, for saying so. All the best and seassons greetings.
Although not all whites are the same, plain white has the distinction of being pure. I mean, there are no shades or tints of pure white. Yellowish white is really a tint of pale yellow. Blushed white is a tint of pink, which is a tint of red. As much as I like nasturtiums for other landscapes, I would not add ‘white’ nasturtiums to the white garden, because they are too yellowish. Nor would I add ‘white’ marigolds. Luminescent white looks so . . . pale for the white garden, although I have no problem with it in my own garden. The most florific white gardens that I have noticed are not so limited to pure white. For some reason, it seems to me that the creamy or blushed or ‘not quite so white’ whites are prettier in lush landscapes of Southern California, with palms and jungly foliage. Pure white is better with dark green redwood foliage in our landscapes.
Yes, all whites are not the same and it does indeed take a finely tuned eye to make a white garden work in its location and plant selection.
Well, . . . I lack proficiency with aesthetics. That is why plain white is easier for me, where I can get away with it.
Meri Kirihimete and it seems to be that you are not at all lacking in the White Christmas department!