The shepherds’ whistle will help you teach your dog to respond quickly and easily over long distances when the dog may even be out of sight across a paddock or a park.

Traditionally they are used for directing trained collie dogs when mustering (herding) sheep on the hills and valleys of large high country stations for shearing and lambing as well as in the sheep yards  and home paddocks.

plus $3 postage per order within New Zealand

plus $3 postage per order within New Zealand

plus $3 postage per order within New Zealand

plus $5 postage per order within New Zealand

plus $1 postage per order within New Zealand

Reproduction Burkes Pass history book, written by the school pupils of 1934 under the supervision of their teacher George Parkyn. Entitled 'A Short History of Burke's Pass', it was a significant achievement for for the pupils and their excellent teacher.

plus $5 postage per order within New Zealand

plus $5 postage per order within New Zealand

Hebe salicifolia

(willow leaved hebe)

Fast growing shrub, 

with showy white

sometimes tinged pink/violet drooping flowers, grows 1-2m at Burkes Pass but can be larger in easier climates.

Sow on potting mix or on layer of fine shingle or coarse grit over the mix and keep moist

Coarse green tussock,

grows 1m+,

prominent weeping flower heads in spring/summer. Grows from the coast to mountain areas.

Sow seeds in container of potting mix, wet well and can scatter surface with fine shingle or coarse grit to hold the fluffy seeds down.

Cassinia
(golden tauhinu, cottonwood)

 A hardy shrub tolerant  of extremes of dry and cold/hot(1-1.5m) with golden/bright green small leaves, silvery underneath, white flower heads from Dec-March.

Hoheria Lyalii
( houhere, mountain ribbonwood)

A very  hardy deciduous tree (up to 9m) with showy white flowers resembling fruit tree blossom in summer. Foliage turns yellow in autumn. Fast growing and prefers cool moist climate. Seeds easy to germinate.

Aquilegia

Columbines or ' Granny- bonnets'

Graceful bell shaped flowers with nectar spur petals. These heritage garden flowers are  multi-coloured  and  the foliage is attractive and evergreen . They grow 30-50 cm tall and like semishade or full sun. A hardy  herbaceous perennial, they germinate easily and flower throughout summer. This seed has been gathered from Alma Cottage garden, Burkes Pass.

Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica

Wood hyacinth or scilla

Spring flowering bulb with spires of bell shaped violet-blue flowers.

Hardy in sun or shade in woodland garden or rockery. 30 cm tall, is easy to germinate and they will self seed in a woodland area and create a dramatic effect. Gathered from woodland adjacent to Alma Cottage, Burkes Pass.

Field Larkspur

Delphinium consolida

Annual, miniature delphinium-like flowers throughout summer, deep blue or white. Branched stems, finely divided foliage, grows up to 30 cm tall. Full sun, germinates easily and can self seed as a wild flower.

Seed gathered from Alma Cottage garden, Burkes Pass.

Hellebore

Helleborus orientalis

(often called Winter roses but are a type of Ranunculus)

A gorgeous hardy groundcover providing welcome flowers during winter and early spring, grow up to 40 cm high with large glossy green leaves. The flowers may be white through to pink, dark maroon and almost black, some with a spotted pattern inside. The petals are actually sepals and do not drop so are long lasting. Tolerant of shade, will naturalise in woodland areas. Collected from Alma Cottage, Burkes Pass.

Hollyhock  

(Alcea rosea)  

Heirloom flower seed collected  from Alma Cottage, Burkes Pass.

Spectacular flower spikes 2-3m tall, single pink/burgundy red flowers.

Honesty

Lunaria bienni (white)

Old fashioned flower, easily grown, clouds of white blossom in spring, with satin silver coin-shaped seed heads in autumn often used in dried floral arrangements. Biennial, hardy, dry tolerant, likes semi-shade in woodland and will self sow for dramatic effect. Large green leaves.

Collected from Alma Cottage, Burkes Pass.

Lupin

Tall spires of summer flowers in multicoloured shades with palm like foliage are a feature of the Mackenzie area as well as classic ‘cottage’ plant. Easy to grow, they like full sunlight or light shade and good drainage. They are able to fix nitrogen so enrich the soil. Collected from Alma Cottage, Burkes Pass.

White Rose Campion

Lychnis Coronaria (white)

Perennial, summer flowering, forms a clump of soft, silver furry leaves  with upright stems. Grows up to 50cm tall. Tolerates dry conditions well, hardy, likes full sun. Seed gathered from Alma Cottage garden, Burkes Pass.