Noel's beautiful begonias beckon | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

Tuberous Begonias ? forming, bearing or resembling a tuber or tubers ? a plant of warm and tropical regions, having ornamental leaves and waxy flowers.

When Noel Petrie entered the Stratford Press last week to see if a photographer wanted to take a photo of his numerous tuberous begonias for the paper, I thought it would be an interesting sight.

I enjoy taking a wander through someone's garden and learning about flowers and how each person grows each plant in their own way.

He told me he had been growing them for 30 years and described them to me as big and colourful.

On Monday morning I pulled into his driveway and found Mr Petrie potting around the back of his house in his garden. His garden was magnificent, filled with an array of flowers in bloom, freshly mown grass and a pond at the back glistening in the sun.

To the left stood two greenhouses, one slightly larger than the other. I'm not sure what was in the smaller greenhouse, but it looked like it could have been vegetables.

We made our way down the small bank to the larger greenhouse and as I turned to see inside, an explosion of colour hit my face.

Hundreds of bright, big begonias filled every nook and cranny of the greenhouse.

Red, orange, yellow, pink, white, purple - nearly a complete rainbow of colourful vibrant flowers overflowed from pots and baskets.

More than 200 plants are growing comfortably in the 30x17ft greenhouse Mr Petrie built himself more than 30 years ago. He told me that the oldest flowers in the greenhouse would only be around 10 years old as every year plants die and new plants are grown. The size of the plants and flower heads were incredible. Mr Petrie said some flowers grow as big as a dinner plate.

Mr Petrie has mainly two types of begonias - ones that flower like a rose and the other blooms with ruffles.

Mr Petrie kindly showed me his favourite begonia - a deep, dark red begonia that almost looked like a rose - perfect in every way.

Over the years, Mr Petrie has tried many different seeds and grown begonias in many different ways. He said he enjoys finding other people who love begonias and swapping stories of how to grow them. Currently, he is growing several cuttings in pure rainwater.

Mr Petrie said he has no secrets, just lots of water, good soil and plenty of attention.

"Basically I let them just grow by themselves."

Begonias bloom from early December until April/May.

However, he said the entire garden used to be on show in the Taranaki Rhododendron & Garden Festival. At one time, his garden was voted the best for five years running.

Unfortunately, events in his life stopped Mr Petrie from showing his garden. He told me that last year the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival approached him to open his garden again and I can tell you he is seriously considering it.

Mr Petrie is a born and bred Stratfordite and is very passionate about his town. Many years ago he used to run a jeweller's shop in town.

As I was saying farewell, Mr Petrie made a very generous offer and said he would open his garden to the public for one week so other residents could come and see his beautiful begonias. Until next Wednesday, anyone can visit his amazing property (124 Brecon Road, Stratford) during the day - all are welcome, he said. Did you know that certain begonias can be eaten!