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Saturday 7th December, 2024
Hi
We are roughly getting around 5 hours more daylight than the shortest day, so plenty of light hours to get all those summer tasks done.
OMG the past few days have been pretty warm here in the Waikato and it heated up all of a sudden. Add the 24 mls of rain that we received over the last weekend, and being the Waikato, the resulting humidity makes it feel at least 30 degrees. Officially summer starts in 15 days time, going by the actual summer solstice (21st of December), rather than the Kiwi way of January the 1st. The days are really long as well and I usually hear the Tui start singing at some awfully early hour of around 5am, implying that it's time to get up and water your pots and do stuff before the day gets too hot.
All that said, the growth that is happening with this heat is impressive particularly with the invasion of the summer seasonal weeds of grasses, willow weed etc. I had to look/google some of them up as I didn't know their names but now I do. Spotted spurge is such a one, growing in gravel cracks, and it drives me crackers by also performing magnificently in my vege garden (proper name is Euphorbia maculata and it's very flat and mat-like) along with a couple of others that are doing superbly. Galinsoga parviflora (common name is Gallant soldier) has a larger leaf with a tiny yellow and white flower looking like a tiny daisy and as you'd expect, it does belong to the daisy family. Another weed invading my vege patch is a prostrate type of amaranth (Amaranthus powellii). Redroot is this one's common name, and it often breaks when you are weeding, leaving its root to regrow.
It's important in the garden to keep the weeds in check so that they don't disadvantage your other plants. Also, they look messy and it's always easiest to weed when they are small.
With the spring flush finishing and summer beginning, Hedges can be cut and brought back into shape. It's worth making sure that you cut them back to where they were the previous season because a couple of cm left each time soon increments over the years. At this point we have sorted our Hornbeam hedges and are onto the Hollies. Our Camellia hedges at home can probably wait until after Christmas and our Beech hedge is slower than the hornbean. We haven't started on the Buxus hedges yet, but imagine we will be on to that in another couple of weeks as we will want to sort them before Xmas.
Lonicera and Teucrium Frutescens are the fastest to grow and these will need doing regularly throughout the season, being around every three to four weeks off the top of my head.
Roses are nearing the end of their spring flush and the big question for many will be "do I leave those few new shoots with buds" or be like me and cut all back like winter and bring on an entire new full flush in approx 7 weeks. Remember that more rose food and water will help this happen. It's also worth noting that spring or once-flowering roses should be cut back after they bloom as these flower on previous season's wood.
Watch for black spot on roses as this humidity is perfect for this to infect your roses. At first sign spray with Super shield and follow up a couple of days later... then spray with the weather patterns of before and after rain. If you have a black spot problem just cut them back spray with Super shield a couple of times and they should come away clean. Watch out for mites in the summer as these suck the chlorophyll in the hot dry months. Cattle drench at 1ml per litre of water will deal to these as well.
Perennials will differ, and those that have flowered may be cut and come again for the Autumn like Penstemons and Delphiniums. Other Autumn-flowering perennials will still be coming up to flower. Spring bulbs will have perhaps long finished and their foliage may easily be removed, though if not it can be tied up until the plant has completely finished.
If you have plants that fruit over the summer, and that fruit is particularly appealing birds, then don't forget to put bird netting over them. For example, our feathered friends will happily strip your Blueberries, Cherries and Plums of their fruit before they are even fully ripe, unless you do something to stop them.
As we move out of the hiss and roar of spring we move into the summer colours
Hydrangeas are coming into their own right now with their beautiful mop head and lacecap style flowers. Hydrangeas are considered a semi-shade plant, though in my opinion, they will actually grow in full sun as I see many fence lines in the countryside planted with these fab shrubs smothered in masses of flowers. It is worth remembering that hydrangeas do like plenty of available water when they are growing. You often see them planted under mature trees, where the position could be described as dry, and the poor hydrangeas are missing out and wilt on those hot days.
There are a few more facts about our Hydrangeas that are worth knowing. For one thing, their ultimate flower colour depends on soil pH and in NZ soils, blue colours often predominate. Dressings of Aluminium sulphate will help push flowers towards blue tones whereas Lime encourages the pink shades. I imagine that you will need to dress the soil in the winter before flower buds are initiated and may need to reapply annually as a minimum. The other important fact on this group of plants is that all the macrophyllas (Mopheads and Lacecaps) flower on previous season's wood though the Paniculatas, like Diamond rouge and Limelight, will flower on new season's wood.
Check out these newbies of
Hydrangea Machiko Mophead Hydrangea. Tight rounded heads of bright pink petals edged with white set against dark green foliage make this easy to grow Hydrangea highly desirable.
Hydrangea Mariko Mophead Hydrangea. With bi-coloured blooms of lilac-blue and white this Hydrangea will put on a dazzling display in summer. Nice dense compact growth habit.
Hydrangea Cover Me Lacecap. Fill your garden with low lush foliage and stunning Hydrangea blooms all summer followed by stunning autumn foliage colours. Great for under planting and shady spots for colour and interest.
Daylilies (or Hemerocallis) have a tough and hardy reputation and really will grow just about anywhere though they do prefer a sunny position, perhaps to maximize the flowers
Chestnut Lane is a very striking Day Lily with rich chestnut brown flowers. Lauren Leah has large textured summer blooms that are creamy pink with a hint of lime green in the centre. Alvatine Taylor Attractive open pale pink flowers with a yellow throat. Easy care and hardy. Stella Bella is an extremely tolerant and hardy Day Lily that has been known to bloom for up to 6 months! The flowers are a warm yellow, though not overly large.
Cannas are another tough and hardy group of plants and many like them as an addition to the sub-tropical kind of look. The Tropicanna series not only have attractive hot-coloured flowers but are renowned for their unique foliage. Their flowers appear from summer onwards and if looked after, they can also flower for up to 6 months.
Canna Tropicanna has attractive yellow and green foliage making a strong statement with the added bonus of bright orange blooms. Canna Tropicanna Black This Canna has dark purple coloured leaves and stems of brilliant tangerine flowers. Canna Tropicanna Gold has attractive yellow and green striped foliage which makes a strong statement in the garden. It has bright yellow flowers with a splash of orange in the centre of each.
Xmas trees and Pressies
Don't forget that if you are after a live Christmas tree for a pot, then we do have a selection of different spruces that will look cool in a container.
Some thought for pressies include pots, plants, ARS quality tools, Ironware plant supports or we do have Vouchers (e-vouchers and printed vouchers we can post to the recipient) for any denomination that you may require. For other gift ideas, please follow this link.
Mail orders last week for South island next week and North island the following week
December is now here and it's final call for any mail orders especially to the South Island, so if there is something you are after then please get those orders in. We need to get our plants delivered promptly, and within the week that they are boxed, and as we get closer to Christmas the courier service will struggle to achieve this.
South island last day for delivery will be Monday the 9th December and North island last day will be Tuesday the 17th of December. We hope that by finishing up with deliveries on these dates we will avoid our plants getting caught up in the Christmas delivery rush... we don't want anything stranded undelivered. Electronic gift vouchers (e-vouchers) are always available online: you could even send one on Christmas day at that "Oh no!" moment when you realise you forgot someone, or you received a gift unexpectedly and want to return the favour.
Mail orders will resume the first full week back in January being Monday the 6th of Jan 2025. Any order received over the holiday period will be held at the nursery until then.
A Huge thank you , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
It's a wrap!!!! It doesn't seem all that long ago that we were waiting for all of the new season's Roses to arrive around the Winter solstice. Then it was the turn of the Deciduous and Fruit trees to be potted. In reality the past 6 months has just flown past (as it does every year) and Christmas and the new year are on our doorstep. I'm sure that every nurseryman's winter and spring months fly past in the same hectic fashion. In some ways I'm pleased that the summer months are a tad more sedate (though watering becomes a new priority) so that the whole team can have some well earned time out. On that note I want to say a sincere thank you to all the team that work here and make Wairere the truly unique place that it is. Also to you, our clients, that continue to support us as we strive to provide the best roses, trees and plants in the country.
This is my last email for 2024 and we will next catch up sometime in Feb 2025. I must also add here that we are only closed Christmas day and therefore open all other stat and weekend days and usual hours of 8.30 to 5 pm. So for all those out-of-towners and mail order clients who may be in the Tron over the hols, do call in and say "Hi" and check out the nursery and the display garden.
Once again a huge thank you to you all and we all wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New year and a fabulous summer holiday period.
Have a great weekend and take care.
All the very best from from Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.
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Last 25 Newsletters...
..... Summer Solstice
Xmas trees (30th November, 2024)
Ferns and succulents (23rd November, 2024)
Is it too early? (16th November, 2024)
Plenty to do and see (9th November, 2024)
Salvias (2nd November, 2024)
What is your preference (26th October, 2024)
Roses and more roses (19th October, 2024)
The pace is on (12th October, 2024)
Spring stuff (5th October, 2024)
Sun Lovers (28th September, 2024)
Train your climbers (21st September, 2024)
Fabulous spring (14th September, 2024)
Awanui is about to pop (7th September, 2024)
Tea Trees (31st August, 2024)
Has Spring Sprung? (24th August, 2024)
Trees that Cascade (17th August, 2024)
Asparagus (3rd August, 2024)
It's all about family (27th July, 2024)
A Wet Friday Today (20th July, 2024)
Trees and More Trees (13th July, 2024)
Hebes and Polyanthus (6th July, 2024)
Planting (22nd June, 2024)
It's all about roses this week (15th June, 2024)
Blustery day (8th June, 2024)
Trees again (25th May, 2024)
A frosty week (18th May, 2024)
Proteas and more (11th May, 2024)
Chokos (4th May, 2024)
Viburnums (27th April, 2024)
Rake up those leaves (20th April, 2024)
Things Citrusy (13th April, 2024)
Get harvesting and preserve (6th April, 2024)
Crabapples looking good (29th March, 2024)
Garlic (23rd March, 2024)
Autumn Sale Preview (16th March, 2024)
Orchard planning (9th March, 2024)
Gardens are for play (3rd March, 2024)
Autumnal feel in the air now (24th February, 2024)
Newsletter correction (16th February, 2024)
Welcome back (17th February, 2024)
Thank you (16th December, 2023)
Pot care (9th December, 2023)
Mulch is a must (2nd December, 2023)
Tidy Up Time (25th November, 2023)
Planting now (18th November, 2023)
Waterlilies (11th November, 2023)
Daisies take 1 (4th November, 2023)
Deciduous Azaleas (28th October, 2023)
Labour weekend (21st October, 2023)
Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: