Purangi Plants - Coromandel Green Series

By Helinor Stead

They say everybody loves a bit of Coromandel Green and whilst this may have meant something particular in days gone by, in the post-Covid era we’re talking about the meteoric rise in the popularity of plants! So sit back with your cuppa as we discuss Coromandel Green, meet the Coromandel people who are mad about plants and the best places on the Peninsula to get them! 

Purangi Plants & Produce

This iconic little roadside stall has been a permanent fixture at 355 Hahei Road for over 35 years ! Started by Estelle’s green-fingered mum Yvonne to top up the farm coffers, Estelle remembers the stall as a steady presence throughout her childhood. ‘It’s meant that we have the freedom to do other things; work on the farm. Do other bits and pieces.’ When her mum’s enthusiasm was flagging about five years ago Estelle took the reins but these days Yvonne is the seedling lady and husband Joe the handyman! 'Dad’s just finished building a second greenhouse, and we have plans to expand the sales area too.’

Well-stocked now, last year that definitely wasn’t always the case as heading into lockdown gardening quickly became the activity du jour! Estelle and her husband own the local rural delivery service, ‘We were delivering seedlings while we were delivering mail!’

Offering a comprehensive range of seedlings year round including flowers, herbs and vegetables, they’ve taken the honesty box system of old and brought it into the modern age. By providing banking details onsite you can easily transfer payment with online banking on your phone! With a dedicated lay by for you to pull off the road safely, it’s absolutely worth stopping off to browse. Seedlings start from $2.50 a piece and are spray-free, healthy, happy looking baby plants! 

If you don’t fancy a scenic drive through the scenic countryside between Hahei, Flaxmill Bay and Hot Water Beach, you can find them at Earth Store in Whitianga too.