Seaside Norfolk Pines

Norfolk Pines or Araucaria_heterophylla come from Norfolk Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand, and we often see them planted along coastlines here in New Zealand. In writing this, I was astounded to see that they are cultivated as houseplants overseas. I am not a huge fan of Norfolk pines as a seaside tree – they don’t provide enough shade for my liking, and they don’t have lush palm-like leaves.

But Oriental Parade, the home of the main beach in our city, is lined with them, so I feel I have to accept them! I will admit they look lovely and sculptural against the sky, and those in Oriental Bay are decorated with lights (which always make me think someone put them up for Christmas and New Year then forgot to take them down!) at night-time, which is always a pretty sight.

On our recent trip to the Wairarapa coast we saw them along the beach there too. Here are a few I’ve seen recently:

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  At the beach

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  A Norfolk Pine in Oriental Bay

Another in the Thursday Tree Love series – find all the other bloggers doing it here.

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Inviting shade tree

I wrote about this tree last year at the end of autumn. I noted it was beautiful in all seasons, and I have enjoyed seeing it every time we drove out to see my father-in-law. But he died in September, and we have sold the house (final settlement was last week), so there is no need to drive past this lovely tree anymore. Except perhaps just to see the tree.

This is how it looked a month or two ago in summer. I love the leaves – like little ferns. It is so inviting – I just want to spread a blanket under its branches and shade, and lie there with a book and a picnic.

Another in the Thursday Tree Love series – find all the other bloggers doing it here.

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Breakfast Pohutukawa

This morning, after an early appointment in the city, The Husband and I decided to have a leisurely breakfast at a seaside café over the road from the Yacht Club and boatsheds. Whilst we could only see a tiny speck of the sea, I looked out to this pohutukawa as I enjoyed my flat white, and a breakfast bruschetta (poached egg, tomato, pesto, halloumi, and bacon – yum). I didn’t get a shot when a little boy climbed in its branches, which was very cute. But the light was beautiful. There are quite a few of these large (old) pohutukawa trees. They are beautiful when they are in full red bloom at Christmas, but I think they’re lovely all year round, as they never lose their leaves.

Another in the Thursday Tree Love series – find all the other bloggers doing it here.

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