PLANTS AND PEOPLE

Interacting with people is a big part of Karl’s job. His time is divided between the gardens, the office and being out and about in the community. “I really enjoy the mix. We have lots of stakeholders, including the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, volunteers and members of the public.”

The job of curating his tree and shrub collections is never without those stakeholders in mind.

As Karl sees it, “There is no point growing the plants if people aren’t coming in to have a look at them.”

There are over 20 different plant collections in the gardens. Karl says it’s important to preserve some of the old cultivars. “Because of plant fashions people can forget about great old cultivars.”

Karl believes botanic gardens also have a real role to play in showing people how easy it is to grow things. “At the same time its important to show a bit of reality. There is always some maintenance involved,” he adds.

Technology is making it easier than ever before to communicate what’s going on at the gardens. “While print is still there, it is only one of the ways we reach people. Once the information is created we can send it out across a whole platform of media.” The Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ botanic gardens of wellington) is well used. Karl says it’s great for real time information. “For example, if we are going to be pruning something we can get that information out there straight away.”

Wellington Botanic Gardens owes its distinctive character both to its sloping terrain and its central city location.

“Gardening is not hard work. It just takes a bit of time and the rewards are huge. Just spending time with plants is good for your health.”