Kowhais (Sophora) provide a double whammy of beauty in the spring garden. There are the golden flowers hanging profusely from the outstretched branches and, more often than not, lots of tuis which sing their hearts out as they dart from flower to flower, supping on the rich nectar which is their favourite food.
‘Te Atatu Gold’ is an especially good kowhai, selected for its abundant flowering qualities and a handsome habit of growth. It’s an ideal small tree for both suburban and country gardens, thriving in a sunny aspect in any reasonable soil. It’s cold hardy and will grow just about anywhere except in exposed coastal sites.
Because ‘Te Atatu Gold’ has a handsome habit of growth and attractive, small green foliage, it makes a year round feature. It can be used effectively as a stand out tree among lower growing native shrubs which can be chosen for interesting foliage as well as flowers. An interesting one to grow with it is the kaka beak, Clianthus ‘Kaka King’. This bushy shrub has large and very showy scarlet flowers which look like parrot’s beaks and hang from the branches for months, from late winter through spring, so they are in full flight when the kowhai is smothered in gold. The scene when the golden kowhai blossoms start to fall among the kaka beak flowers is enchanting.
Another outstanding native to grow with the kowhai is the handsome, grey leafed, yellow flowered shrub Brachyglottis ‘Otari Cloud’, while for foliage drama there are Coprosmas such as ‘Winter Chocolate’, arty Astelia ‘Silver Spears’ and Muehlenbeckia astonii with stems and minute foliage like sculpted, bronzed wire.
Australian shrubs also associate well with kowhais such as ‘Te Atatu Gold’. Waratahs (Telopea) add big heads of red, tui attracting flowers to the equation. In very sunny spots, plant one of the non stop, shrubby Grevilleas such as ‘Robyn Hood’ and you will have handsome flowers all year round which will keep the native nectar eaters coming.
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Schemes & Themes
using Liddle Wonder Plants