Wellington Plants Star at Otari Open Day

Otari-Wilton’s Bush is the place to head next Saturday 13 September to find out more about Wellington forest plants and take a closer look at wildlife including weta, skinks and geckos.

Wellington City Council is holding the annual Otari-Wilton's Bush open day and plant sale to coincide with Conservation Week, and the Department of Conservation will be taking part.

The theme for Conservation Week this year is 'Meet the locals' and there will be lots of opportunities to do just that. The focus will be on Wellington forest plants and a range of varieties suitable for home gardens will be among the more than 1,000 plants for sale.

The Council's Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Celia Wade-Brown, says local native plants are ideal for Wellington gardens as they have adapted over time to not only survive but thrive here. They can be used to create easy-care gardens that don't require constant watering in summer.

"Everyone has a role to play in helping to protect and enhance the city's biodiversity and planting native plants – particularly those that naturally grow in the Wellington area – is something we can all do, either in part of our garden or by joining a community group," she says. "Otari-Wilton's Bush is the place to head at any time of year to experience an outstanding example of original Wellington forest, and the annual open day is a great opportunity to learn what grows well where."

The open day is on from 9.30am to 3.00pm and includes walks, talks, demonstrations and the plant sale, which kicks off at 11.00am. Otari staff will get things under way at 9.30am with a workshop on basic plant propagation and how to incorporate Wellington forest plants into residential gardens. There will be several guided walks during the day including an hour-long walk with renowned botanist and author Dr John Dawson from 2.00pm.

A short trail has been developed for children and they will be able to complete a question sheet as they walk it and go into the draw to win free passes to local attractions including Karori Sanctuary and Wellington Zoo.

The Department of Conservation will be running talks and activities at the Troup picnic area between 11.30am and 3.00pm. Visitors can learn how to make their backyard more attractive for lizards between 11.30am and noon, find out more about weta from 1.00pm to 1.30pm and children will be able to help make penguin nesting boxes and pest tracking tunnels from 1.00pm to 3.00pm. Full programme details are available on the Otari-Wilton's Bush section of the website or by phoning (04) 499 4444.