Saturday 13th March, 2021
Hi
Take time out of your own back yard
Yahoo the whole team is back and there is nothing like taking time out to reflect on everything in general. As a small business owner one has to constantly deal with change, look to future directions and just have a break. I plan to check out some suppliers, some current and possibly some new, and of course any other garden centres or plant places that look worthy of a stop to check out. It's always so inspiring to get out and about and to be part of the current philosophy of visiting, checking out and supporting other NZ Businesses.
First stop has been the Tutukaka coastline and I am just in love with Matapouri beach... so stunning and there were only two others on the entire beach. We are so lucky here in NZ, we could have been anywhere exotic like the Pacific Islands (oh that's right, we are a Pacific Island LOL) or the Italian Riviera just with no people, white sands, stunning coastline clothed in typical flora and colour of the water, on this day, was exquisite.
A recommendation from a friend saw us stop in at the cutest native nursery just on the way to Matapouri Bay which is perched up a bit of a hillside and with heaps of character. Immaculately kept and lots of good quality native plants... so much so that I just had to add one to my collection but there were a few others that I might just have to go back for like a native Peperomia.
I never stop looking, and it is refreshing to see, plants growing in their natural environments. When you live and work inland it is easy to forget which plants tolerate coastal exposure and potential direct salt spray, or what will grow in quite extreme,
environmental positions. We can use these examples and apply them to those awkward or difficult spots in our own gardens. Pohutakawa and
Pseudopanax lessonii,
Phormium tenax,
Kowhai, Renga Renga,
Hebe,
Astelia and Pittopsporum crassifolium, all excellent examples of plants doing well out there on the coast and fully exposed.
I have to say that Astelia do, absolutely, fascinate me. The way they perch in the crutches of trees and even on clay cliff faces and the fact that they need very little to grow. The only water is when it rains and it races past their roots and as for food, well just the detritus that goes past. Of course the better the food and water supply the lusher the plant could be. The lesson to learn is where they grow naturally and to apply this to our gardening skills. In this instance, their habitat potentially makes them suitable as pot plants tolerant of neglect, growing in sun and shade. Astelia banksii and the chathamica form of Silver Spear have awesome foliage that looks so contemporary in pots or as a dramatic contrast in the garden.
I had to laugh at the
Astelias that I saw perched in a tree, I thought if that was in my garden I would have to clean all those old leaves off, but in nature it looks amazing.
Autumn sale
Similar to last week but I know the guys have added more plants to the sales area in the nursery so grab a trailer (if you are looking for trees as they are too big to send via courier anymore) and come check them out.
Roses... 25 % off all roses We are clearing the stock that we have left from last winters potting season. The roses are still looking in good condition and worth checking over if you have a few gaps. Just know that we are down in numbers and so if your choice is not there then come armed with a second choice if you are looking online. If you are checking these out on the web be sure to click the box that says 'Show in stock items first'
Hydrangeas 25 % off Macrophylla types i.e. mopheads and lace caps. Now moved behind the roses as the new season camellias have started rolling in. Hydrangeas are pretty easy to grow preferring dappled light and good moist soil. Colour variations can occur as these are reliant on soil acidity for bloom colour.
Trees that want to find their permanent home have been marked down to just $10ea. These are not online so you need to check them out for yourself and bring a trailer as they won't go on the courier.
Apple trees 25% off our remaining stock. Still quite a few varieties to choose from but if you don't see your apple of choice then pre-order new seasons trees due in July.
Camellias... all remaining last season bushes are now $25.00 each (some smaller grades at $20ea) and have been taken out of stock as the new season stock is now arriving.(sale does not include the new season stock) Last season espaliers and standards are at marked prices. Hedging grade Early Pearly in quantity attracts its own quantity discounts. These are all good plants and if you have a few gaps these could be a great option. Sale stock are no longer online so you have to come out and check them out for yourself.
All camellias showing online are new season stock and priced accordingly.
What about these for a deal
These are really lovely trees and still available online, online links are in the names.
Cercis Merlot A small tree with very attractive, glossy, burgundy wine, kidney shaped leaves, typical of the Cercis genus. Bright pink pea like flowers grow directly from the stems and branches which is a little different. An ideal small tree for smaller gardens and definitely a leaf colour contrast against other green leaved trees. These are fabulously well grown trees at some 2.5 metres high. Maybe too tall to courier to some areas
Normally $69.99 now $25.00ea
Magnolia Honey Tulip an unusual shade for a Magnolia in the yellow shades of honey yellow making for a very attractive specimen tree in the garden. Magnolias are up there as a favourite tree for me. Again beautiful trees at around 2.5m..
normally $69.99 now $25.00ea
Betula laciniata the cut leaved birch
or Swedish birch. Renown of those delicate and dissected leaves and the typical characteristic white barked trunk of the birch family these are
1.4 high
normally $59.99 now $25.00
Betula Japonica large trees at 2.5 to 3 metres for an instant look for the garden
$99.99 down to $74.99. Larger leaves than the classic silver birch but still with the typical white trunks... Mass plantings of silver birch always look pretty cool.
Just arrived in today
Nandina are a hardy, versatile, evergreen bush with stunning foliage colouring. They will be happy in part shade to full sun but their colour will be more intense in full sun. Happy in heat or cold these are a great low maintenance shrub with mature height variations from 60cm to 1.5m that will grow almost anywhere.
Krachai or edible ginger is just in, great for hot Thai curries, also
Psidium guava, both red and yellow varieties and a great selection of
Blueberries. Skeena and
Willamette raspberries down from $19.99 to $10ea. Great additions for the edible garden.
I had some feedback about NZ timing of Autumn and apparently having the beginning of March being officially Autumn is an Australasian thing as we have yet to reach that mid point between the longest and shortest day, or solstice, which will be the 20th of March but, point to add, the weather has been particularly autumnal and not like that Indian summer that we had last year.
It's America's Cup racing weekend for Auckland, here's hoping for a good 6.5 knots minimum, and it's level 1 across the country so everyone can get out and about and enjoy this beautiful 'autumn' weather! LOL
Have a fabulous weekend,
Cheers.. Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team
