Wednesday 10th May, 2017
Hi
Do it!!.... just go on and organise it..... yes dinner for Mother, Mum, Mum in law, those important women in our lives that in most cases probably don't want for anything but perhaps someone just recognising the fact that they are important and what better thing to do but organise a dinner.
This mothers day we are celebrating by having dinner at ours on the Friday but I know that many celebrate by taking Mum out to lunch and then for a wander at the gardens or just doing something together.
Because its Mothers Day I thought that an appropriate plant to write about, that we have ready at the moment, would be Lily of the Valley because it tends to be one of those plants that mothers like or brings back fond memories of our mothers.
There is also a
Camellia Called
Mothers Day and being a typical
sasanqua its usually in flower at this time of year hence probably how it got its name. A pretty single Camellia that is mostly white with a hint of blush pink around the outer edges of the petals and attractive prominent golden stamens that complete the picture. Plant one for Mothers day. There are many beautiful camellias to choose from.
Everyones Favourite Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley, you will have me sussed by now as I try to lead all down the path of proper names! why?... because there is a shrub that is also called Lily of the Valley though usually with shrub after its common name. The shrub is
Pieris japonica as opposed to the perennial that I want to write about which is
Convallaria majalisConvallaria Majalis or Lily of the Valley is a sweetly scented woodland perennial that is native of the cool temperate areas of the Northern Hemispheres in Asia and Europe and interestingly enough belongs to the Asparagus Family Asparagaceae.
There are numerous legends surrounding this very popular plant and the flower was once also known as Our Lady's Tears or Mary's Tears that sprang from the weeping of The Virgin Mary during the Crucifixion of Christ or maybe Eve's tears as she was driven with Adam from the garden of Eden.. and there are numerous more.
Lily of the Valley is technically a herbaceous (leafy) perennial that grows spreading underground stems called rhizomes. New upright shoots are formed at the end of the stolons in summer and these are called pips which are what we sell.. These pips will grow in the spring into new leafy shoots often with two leaves and a flowering stem.
I'm sure that we are all familiar with the arching stem adorned with pendulous fragrant bell shaped flowers all along it. These of course are
Convallaria majalis but there is also a beautiful pink (
rosea) variety called
Convallaria majalis rosea.
Now what do these beauties like in order to grow well? They prefer dappled light or part shade and warm summers, soils that are sandy well drained but with plenty of organic matter or humus..
Plants available from Wairere Nursery are newly potted pips that will need looking after until they get established. They are in a 7 cm pot and we suggest that you leave these in this small pot or replant a group of them into a decorative pot and grow them as a pot plant until you have them well and truly established. Remember that they are a partial shade plant so keep you new plants in a position where they see the morning sun but not the heat of the day and don't keep them over wet. For more info on growing these you can check our
How To page.
What should you be planting now
Garlic. Nothing like growing you own of this very versatile plant. Traditionally planted around the shortest day but in the winter will do. Has quite a long growing season and will be harvested as it dries off towards the longest day though this will vary depending on when you actually get it into the ground. Don't be mean with the feed as garlic will do best with heaps of good feeding including organic matter.
Strawberries. There is a lot going on in the winter for planting and strawberries are best planted this time of year. It means that they get well established prior to the spring when they are meant to be providing luscious red berries. Again these like lots of organic matter incorporated into the soil.
Other thoughts for Mothers days If you are out our way on the Day
Beautiful floral pruners that are a great deal and awesome for deadheading or picking stems to put in a vase $74.99 these just $39.99 If you prefer the
stainless look then there is the same deal going on these as well.
Vouchers are always a wonderful gift to help when you aren't sure what plants your mum would like, they let her choose her own. For those of you who aren't local they are great as you can purchase them online and they can be spent online!
We may still be able to dispatch Mother's Day gifts if you get your order in tonight for dispatch tomorrow. Tall trees requiring truck delivery may however not leave in time.
Housekeeping
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Roses are due to arrive very soon. We are getting organised by making space for the many roses that have been ordered, so the centre of the garden centre is empty, all ready and waiting on the new years rose plants. Not so long to go for our big potting season and new roses to be available. You can pre order your roses now to ensure you get the varieties you want.
Hopefully Sunday will be a most stunning day over a lovely fine weekend so that we can all enjoy being out and about with our mothers and families. If you are lunching or looking for a drive then we are open all weekend and the gardens are looking stunning not to mention the garden centre.
Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful Mums
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag.
