Old Napier Hill Cemetery Roses

 A few days ago, a huge deluge poured from the sky and overwhelmed Napier city. The streets became rivers and the storm water swirled with waste water and poured through people's homes; other dwellings perched up on the hill, began losing traction and suddenly parted company with sheds and foundations. 

When you see just how little land there was to work with back before the earthquake, it's not surprising that such an unsuitable place to build a city might cause a few issues even a century later.  

From a Burton Bros photo numbered 3163 Light House

Much of the town planning of this city seems to have been pragmatic- making the best of things with what was available and that often meant designating awkward spots for odd jobs- like the precipitous gully that was so unsuitable for housing so it became the Botanic gardens and a cemetery- a space in which to lay to rest those intrepid and often ill fated pioneers who had come from far off lands either to save souls, teach the locals a thing or too, or start a fresh life. It's still a tricky space the old Napier Hill cemetery- a rough little knoll that now harbours old bones and a great deal of beauty. It seems that there are few resources made available to the up keep of the space. There are occasional private keeper's and a few volunteers, but no one ever sees to get on top of things particularly. And I am so very glad- for in it it's unkemptness the land has given a chance and the wild plants grow in riotous abundance. We have managed to return this year in early November and have photographed as many of the roses that we could find, although there are others that we have just missed. 

An old moss rose- richly beautiful.

This single red may be Eye Opener.

A pretty lemon rose

Gladioli Nanus- "The Bride". There are quite a few clumps of these.

Sally Holmes

Jubilee Celebration 

such a gorgeous rose 

that was by far and away the most exuberant of them all.

More Sally Holmes

A pretty lilac cornflower with rose pink centranthus ruber.

There are large numbers of swan plants all around the cemetery. The monarchs will come soon but meantime there were yellow admirals everywhere!

The graceful arching canes of Sally.

Quite a number of Seafoams dotted around- a highly resilient climber.

Lavender Lassie.

Compassion-most appropriate.

This soul garden is also home to a vast array of happy insects.

Perhaps the old rose Honorine de Brabant.

An interesting albino oak seedling. 

A happy lot of Christmas lilies flanked by rose scented geraniums.

Mme Alfred Carriere.

Such a wonderful place deserves admirers 

and lovers.

Lovers of beauty and wildness and peace.

The centranthus ruber in all three colours really does become quite riotous in late spring

right about the time that the oxe eye daisy makes it's appearance. 

Hollyhocks enjoy the sunny aspects of the cemetery.

I wonder how many plants are there by design and just how many have volunteered themselves?

This thriving loquat tree is a nice addition.

Lavender and linaria are perfect companions.

Perle d'Or

More Seafoam

Such a pretty yellow.

This white broom was very pretty in early spring and has now formed these remarkable seed pods.

These is loads of euphorbia- the lime green flowers bring a lightness for many, many months.

There a number of Bloomfield's Abundance doing very nicely too.

And equally so, Mme Cecile Brunner- the sweetheart rose.

Mutabilus loves the cemetery too and is entirely suited to the position.

Old Napier Hill Cemetery September 2020

It hadn't really occurred to us before, that an old cemetery might, in fact, be a wild place. But the more that we visit here in the old Napier Hill cemetery, the more that we understand this to be a precious and sacred space- where those that lay at rest are woven in to the landscape amidst the wild flowers, the weeds, the remembered, the tended and the forgotten. 

This garden of peace doesn't fuss or fret- it thrives and adapts with a little human tending from time to time.

Many of the plantings have been offered or established in another time, quite probably long forgotten. Yet, the plants remember, multiply and create a home for themselves amidst the memorials and stories. 

We no longer feel awkward wandering in to cemeteries with our picnic baskets. A little walk around to get the feel of the season and the particular visit, is quite a good idea- so much can change between visits. 

On this occasion, being early spring we came upon a sweet spot with the Chippings. 

Annie's English bluebells made us feel right at home. 

Egg and asparagus sandwiches made with Vogel's- quite perfect.

There is much crumbling and dishevelment amidst the graves, yet I have the feeling that no one here really minds- it's the living that fuss about such things.

Early centranthus ruber coccinues beginning to awaken.

It was a surprise to discover a large quantity of both blue & white Cuban lilies, all happily settled in and naturalised.

We so often think of early spring flowers as being daffodils and jonquils, but here there are so many blues- grape hyacinths, bluebells, Cuban lilies, echiums, irises and true geraniums.

This is not a place that can be rushed, in fact, if you try to bustle around you may well come to grief. Unexpected obstacles abound! 

Being enveloped by the sentiments and language of loss of loved ones, beliefs and preferences of the past is a fascinating experience.

Statements of strength and endurance may be found in the least expected spots.

Some plants are purely opportunists like this onion weed- which, I might add, we have come to value greatly- a resilient, prolific and fully edible wild plant. We use the flowers, leaves or bulbs in our meals most days.

Tree covered pathways beg our exploration.

Sometimes leading us to the most remarkable of discoveries. And here we were wandering and observing and just being present, when all of a sudden there was a flurry of flight and feathers and a large bird passed overhead and landed high up in an oak tree ahead of us. 

We had no idea what the bird was, so I simply attempted to photograph it as best as I could- all the while it was blasting out a rendition of "Napier Hill Tui Song". Soon a Tui joined the Kaka and then when noticed just how large the bird was. We were able to confirm that this was indeed an indigenous and endangered native parrot- a Kaka. Perhaps, a once in a life time sighting. 

The euphorbias synchronise themselves with the Plane trees emergent life green leaves and blend perfectly with the many "Breaths of heaven".

Various rock roses thrive here too.

Sometimes things gone awry, are best mended. if only we could settle to the fact that lovingly made repairs in life are sometimes a fine and sufficient gift too- just add flowers.  

We have discovered both here in the Old Napier Hill cemetery and the oldest parts of the cemetery at Park Island have been well planted with a prostrate form of Juniper- this one has taken to cascading down the hill like a waterfall. Many of these plants may have survived and adapted for over 100 years.

I like to read some of the stories, but mostly I like to just wander and observe. It's not very restful reading other people's tragedies and losses. But some names and sentiments are just charming- Violet Ethel Sweetapple. I bet she had the sweetest pinnies and a joy fine rolling pin.

Echiums thrive in the limey well drained soil. What a grand statement they make.

Yes, I do find all this spring blue quite surprising, don't you?

Sentinel. Keeping watch- beautifully.

I discovered a fascinating article after writing this post entitled "Remembering When Americans Picnicked In Cemeteries- for a time eating and relaxing amongst the dead was a national pastime."

Oh my- it surely was! 

A small group picnics on ledger-style tombstones in Historic St. Luke's Ancient Cemetery. The photo is not dated but is believed to have been taken prior to St. Luke's 1957 Pilgrimage Service. COURTESY HISTORIC ST. LUKE'S