La Ultima

If you want to see what can be achieved in under two years, head to La Ultima in central New Plymouth. Planting “anything I like”, Margaret Parker has created an eclectic cottage garden around a charming home. On a small urban section, kōwhai, salvias and a flurry of flowers sit alongside a 52-year-old pruned cloud Himalayan cedar in a pot. There are leafy edibles greens and citrus trees. Sculptures are woven throughout, many made by Margaret’s late husband, Terry Parker.