Hello, hello

Cecilia here!!

 Just between you and me, let me tell you about my addictions.

I have mentioned before how much I like to buy roses (especially when I am not the one paying LOL).

I love flowers of all sizes, colours, shapes and perfumes, from simple to the most extravagant ones. There is nothing more beautiful in Mother Nature than flowers.

 A consequence of this addiction is that I also love flower-scented perfumes, rose-scented lotions and creams, soaps, cleaning products, and any flower-scented product.

 I have always loved flowers. When I was a little girl, I used to go out to collect alstroemerias (flowers that grow wild in Chile, we call them Amancay) (by the way the alstroemerias are coming soon, if you are interested, add them to your wish list) or flowers from my mum garden to put in a vase back home. This way, I was able to enjoy them a bit more closely. Now that I'm older, I still collect flowers to put in my living room or sometimes I just put a little flower on my hair.

A few days ago, I planted some cotyledons - annual flowers. After a few days, they are already sprouting vigorously. They will fill my garden with colours on summer days.

Have you noticed how early the sun rises? I also hear so many birds singing early in the morning, especially on a sunny, cold, and humid day like today after the heavy rain we had last Monday.

One thing that captured my attention when I arrived in New Zealand was hearing the beautiful songs of so many different birds in the morning. It's a unique characteristic of NZ for sure.

I have to admit that sometimes blackbirds, in particular, drive me crazy when they peak at my veggie garden. The only solution is to put up bird netting to keep them away.

Now that you mention the garden, I'm reminded of the Yams, Asparagus, Potatoes and Strawberries that recently arrived.

Yams: Starchier and more potato-like, usually not very sweet. Versatile; flavor easily altered by cooking methods. Very nutritious. Has more fat, carbs, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin E than sweet potatoes do.

Asparagus  have been bred here and are ideally suited to New Zealand climate and growing conditions. With a little patience and some "green finger", you should be reaping the rewards of fresh, delicious spears for many years to come.

Yam Inca Gold

Yam Red

Asparagus Pacific Challenger Pkt of 5

Strawberry Camarosa

Potato Agria

Potato Huakaroro

Potato Purple Passion

Potato Moemoe

Potatoes They are the last seed potatoes of the season, hurry up as there are not many.

Strawberry Camarosa produces medium sized red fruit with firm flesh and excellent flavour. Producing a light, early crop followed by a heavy summer crop, this variety is high yeilding. The fresh juicy fruit can be used to brighten and sweeten desserts, while also making a delicious snack. (This product has a multibuy discount, look below)

At Wairere nursery garden, you can spot different birds that feast daily, thanks to the wide variety of trees Lloyd has planted around the garden centre over the years.

One of my favourites is the Prunus Felix Jury. I guess you already know why...  Yes, their flowers, of course. I like this tree very much, and so do the Tui birds. They go crazy with the sweet nectar of its blossoms.

If you want to attract birds to your garden, the Campanulata is simply stunning.

Prunus campanulata, Taiwan Cherry group, Blooms from late winter to early spring. Large, deep rose-red flowers, single in hanging clusters. Autumn leaves are a rich mix of red, gold, and orange. It forms a vertical and pyramidal tree. Prunus Pink Cloud, Prunus Superba and Prunus Felix Jury also belong to this group.

Japanese flowering cherry is a small deciduous tree that can reach 4-8 m. Depending on the cultivar, the flowers may come in various shades of white and pink and may be single, semi-double or double. Some beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms are Prunus Kanza, Prunus Shimiditsu Sakura, Prunus Shirotae and Prunus Serrula. 

Prunus serrula is a small vigorous tree. The main attraction is the glistening polished, red-brown flaking mahogany-like bark. Flowers are small and white in spring.

Well, if we continue with the list of addictions, let me tell you about another one that I have. The Specials !!

Sometimes I buy stuff I don't really need, but if they are at a good price, I can't stop buying.

This week I have two great options for you to purchase that won't let you sleep peacefully.............

Helleborus. Easy to grow, and since they are perennials, they will continue to bloom for several years. Tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions, hybrid helleborus perform best when sited in partial shade in rich, moist, but well-draining soil.

Chaenomeles all of them now 50% off

Chaenomeles Flowering quince is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a somewhat messy growth habit but beautiful red, orange, white, or pink flowers to go with shiny, dark green foliage. Related to roses, flowering quince has a thorny habit and easy-to-grow nature that makes it a good choice for barrier or border plantings.

Cordyline australis, AKA Cabbage Tree, is a tall tree that, once mature, is a standout for its trunk structure. Cordyline australis can be grown in coastal, swampy, drought, or sun and wind-exposed locations.  

                    1 to 9......................$8.99                                                                          10 or more................$7.50    

Strawberry Camarosa, has large, conical-shaped, dark red fruit with firm flesh and an excellent flavour.

Hurry up to get yours!

And this is the last addiction that I'm going to tell you... Chocolates! if I start eating one piece, I can't stop until I finish the whole bar. LOL 

I love chocolates!!,.  Amo los chocolates!!

Cheers

Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.