The graceful small tree in the corner of the Queen Mothers Memorial Garden attracting much attention is a native to New Zealand, Plagianthus regius. Appreciate it now as the gentle shape will change as age catches up with it and alters its form.

A mass of white flowers attracting myriad of pollinating insects it is humming with activity.

Looking closer the female flowers can be seen mixing and matching on the delicate branchwork with the large petals and showy stamens of the male flowers. Much less noticeable, these female have the appearance of eyes looking out. The stigmas are countersunk within the circle of creamy white recurved petals which develop a mauve tinge with age.

Plagianthus regius

Plagianthus regius