Welcome to our Q&A with Helen Mechen, the founder of Virescent Gardens, a native plant nursery nestled in Stokes Valley of Wellington. Helen is passionate about providing high-quality, eco-sourced native trees and plants, and she plays a vital role in local conservation efforts by supplying special native trees to projects like Manawa Karioi. In this interview, we'll delve into her background, her favourite plants, and gather some expert tips for selecting natives in Wellington's unique climate.

Helen on a recent visit to Manawa Karioi.

What is your background, and what inspired you to start Virescent Gardens?

I've always loved natives but it was studying Ecology and Biodiversity at Victoria Uni that really got me excited about the science behind them and specifically plant breeding systems, plants do it all ways!

My first job, post University was with the collections at Te Papa, a great way to solidify what research can teach us about plants. After that I was the Propagation Specialist at WCC and really wanted to apply what I'd learned about how useful data collection is to the propagation of plants. I was really motivated to see to what we could learn if we could gather enough data about propagation processes and outcomes.

I wanted to make a start on converting anecdotes into science. That data along with a huge demand for prop information from a growing number of dedicated community groups led to the Wild Fruits of Wellington blog site I designed and authored. Virescent Gardens is a broad Horticulture venture that is mostly me but sometimes others too.

Alongside the on-the-ground stuff I've really enjoyed the education opportunities the most, a dabble in a few Enviroschools activities, public and community group talks and workshops, that's the stuff I'm really passionate about.

I always wanted Virescent Gardens to include a nursery, it's just taken a bit of time to land at a site where that can happen. My aim is to eventually have a supply of some more obscure, hard-to-grow, uncommon species to augment the bulk plantings around the region.

What is the philosophy behind your company, and how does it inform the way you approach your work?

I think I can grab that pretty much directly from the front page of my website. Work with nature, not against it. Creating healthy resilient gardens relies on nurturing a healthy and flourishing environment using ecological principles. Understanding the intricacies of your site and drawing on extensive plant knowledge ensures the best garden solution with the added benefit of eliminating the need for harmful toxins.

I think it makes me take particular care when recommending what to plant. There's lots of choices that might survive but really, it's best to choose the ones that will thrive. My business is 100% organic reflecting my commitment to the environment. It's been really great introducing clients to a huge suite of organic products available these days as well as encouraging a 'ground up' approach to their gardens e.g. feed the soil not the plants. Once the plants have everything they need you wont need the chemicals, everything can achieve a balance.

Can you tell us about the special native trees you supply to Manawa Karioi? What makes these trees particularly suitable for that area?

What makes these trees particularly suitable for that area? Manawa Karioi is really cool because it's got such a range of environments from deep gullies to hilltops. I've supplied some special things like the large-leaved milk tree Ewekuri to increase the population and the genetic diversity they already have.

It is also great to supply some climbing rata, those sorts of things can take a while to establish in restoration sites and it's not one that is readily available. Kohekohe is one that's really needed in large numbers so I've been supplying larger numbers than they can get from council. Kamahi also is one that is so, so common but it's uncooperative in nursery production and because my nursery is in a kamahi site I have a constant supply.

Potting up trees from Virescent Gardens at SEA Nursery. Helen in the background.

Do you supply any other restoration projects in Wellington?

Only SEA at this stage and a group in Heretaunga Friends of Māwai Hākona or Mawaihakona Stream a really cool riparian strip restoration that started 23 years ago. I work directly with one of the original founders so that's been really cool

What are some of your favourite native trees or plants, and why? Do you have any personal favourites you love to grow in your own garden?

I'm completely obsessed with the tiny and tenacious members of our native flora, the hilltops and alpine environments, just stunning plants. I'm planting lots of eco-sourced stuff to use as future seed sources in my garden but it's gotta be pretty too! I use heaps of divaricating shrubs and my objective is to collect and grow as many of the local ones as possible. I like to mix these in with grasses and other strappy structural things like flaxes and Astelias to create that contrast between forms.

Given Wellington's unique climate, what are your top tips for selecting native trees successfully in the region?

Look at what's already growing in the area naturally and peer into other people's gardens and see what is thriving. The plants will tell you. If you've never ever seen a particular plant growing in your area, there might be a reason for that. If you're adventurous, just try it but bear in mind the labels in the plant shops are not detailed enough to use as a guide, seek more detailed info. Use my handy site guide list on the Nursery page of my website as a starting point. https://www.virescentgardens.com/nursery.html

Helen’s blog to share some basic knowledge about local native plants, when they flower and fruit, and how to grow them.

https://www.wildfruitsofwellington.com/

Interview with Helen Mechen: Virescent Gardens