Community and plants the stars of a great Open Day
Jane and Andrew gathering plants from the Trust Nursery.Community and plants were the obvious themes at the annual Ōtari Open Day, on September 14.
Plant sales were hugely popular – this was the first Open Day that all the plants on sale were propagated from the Ōtari collections in the Trust’s own nursery, thanks to the huge efforts of Jane Humble, Lynley Trower and other volunteers, supported by Ōtari garden staff. Ōtari gardeners and expert 
Behind the scenes, Ōtari Nursery tourbotanists were on hand to advise those keen to spread the native plant love into their home gardens.
Others took the chance for a tour of the special plants being raised in the Ōtari Nursery.
Meanwhile, local experts were on hand 
Learning with Tū Mātou Orato discuss everything from kiwi in the capital, to predator, dog and weed control, botany and community and volunteer conservation.
Kids and big kids learned of traditional wellbeing activities with Tū Mātau Ora, raranga with Ōtari Raranga Weavers, rongoā with rangatira Sharli Solomon, 
Making putiputiand discovered little crawlie things through the microscopes at Open Lab.
Fungi guru and new Trustee, Geoff Ridley, was the delighted raffle-winning recipient of Judi Lapsley Miller’s stunning artwork: ‘Kererū on kōwhai’.
It was great to see so many people enjoying the day, said Ōtari Manager, Tim Park. ‘We are very lucky to have such an engaged network of supporters 
A buzzy placein the local community and it’s always great to see people and share plant stories.’
Trust Chair, Kevin O`Connor, agreed there was a lovely community feel about Open Day this year. ‘Thanks to everyone involved, especially the Council’s Wellington Gardens staff who all did a great job.’
Posted: 15 September 2024