Dagwood Dogwood Whipple Wood ??

Hi

Hayley sings like an Angel in the Tron

It was a while ago but when Hayley Westenra was advertised as having a concert in the Tron ,we booked pronto like. There is a bit of a connection here as Harry worked with Hayley's Auntie who told H years ago that Hayley was going to be up and coming. That was some 12 odd years ago and she must have been only just 9 or 10 then.  Anyways off we go and it was amazing, what a voice ( I have always had this huge admiration for anyone that can sing) We got it all, everything from classic songs to Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights and  Simon and Garfunkels , Are you going to Scarborough Fair.  It was awesome to go to and she is such beautiful, natural, young talent to be entertained by. I was just saying to Anthony that it doesn't matter if you're not into this type of music, you still have to appreciate and love such sheer talent, ability and success.

Now it's been a nice spring with plenty of regular rain and sun but I am fast over this wind, Even though we have spent years getting hedges sorted and specimen trees in the right place, if its blowing a gale from the right or is it wrong direction, then it bowls our place. We have to pick up all the plants at the end of every day to make sure that they get water when the irrigation goes off on its nightly cycle.

Cornus = Dogwoods

            

Whilst I was picking up the trees I noticed that the bracts on our roadside dogwoods were starting to colour white.  The proper genus name for dogwoods is Cornus and there are a few different species that are available.  There are shrubs that lose their leaves and have the most amazing coloured stems of either red or yellow in the winter to small trees and also larger trees.  Every garden should  have a Dogwood in your garden as apart from the attractive flowers, usually followed by red fruits, they also have beautiful colours in the Autumn
Now there is a few interesting things to know about dogwoods and one is there are few theories about how Cornus got the common name of Dogwood. One  idea is that the name has originated from Dagwood being that the hard wooded slender stems were used for making daggers, skewers and arrows, another earlier name being the whipple tree as the wood was used to make the drawpole to link the cart to the horses harness
The name "dog-tree" entered the English vocabulary by 1548, and had been further transformed to "dogwood" by 1614. Once the name dogwood was affixed to this kind of tree, it soon acquired a secondary name as the Hound's Tree, while the fruits came to be known as dogberries or houndberries .
Another interesting point to note is that the white flowers are not actually a flower but a special bract that protects the flower which is actually quite insignificant. Whilst on the subject of trivial imformation, the two species of controversa and alternafolia have alternate leaves as opposed to the other dogwoods which have opposite leaves.

so next time that youre playing trivial pursuits you'll have the answer at the ready about dogwoods or is it dagwoods LOL.

Antiqued Pots

Great xmas gift ideas and if you get organised, plant them up with herbs or potted colour. If you want us to send them to family or friends then get online. We could even organise to send them on a Tue or Wed of your choice and even include a card with a message, just send us an email

           

Melbourne flower show,

Plan now for this trip to Melbourne Flower Show, escorted by Anthony our very own garden designer and Denise who has professionally organised the tour details. I just love Melbourne and the Flower Show is a great attraction.  Harry and myself will have to organise ourselves to go too!! It'll be a blast.

The package is for three nights accomadation, airport transfers, Breakfast, Melbourne flower show entry, Full day tour to Mornington Peninsula, entry to the Australian garden, Ashcombe gardens and Heron wood. Note that this tour can be extended for those that want to continue their stay in Melbourne, just sort it with Denise.

Full details, bookings and enquires by following the link.

https://www.thetravelbrokers.co.nz/main.asp?broker=denisefowler

Trees of New Zealand, get your own signed copy

              

Harry's brother Peter had written a book called "Trees Of New Zealand" . The book is getting great reviews in newspapers and magazine and Peter has had numerous radio and television interviews. New Zealand Geographic commented that the book "is a collection as satisfying to linger over as any portrait gallery" and the New Zealand Gardener wrote "Dip in and you'll be hooked. The photos are fab too".

Peter has arranged a special deal for Wairere Nursery customers with an online New Zealand retailer Mighty Ape.  If you order through Mighty Ape not only is the price of the book $54.99 (RRP69.99), but also all the copies will be personally signed. The Trees of New Zealand is the perfect gift for anyone interested in trees, natural history and a good story.

Just follow this link to place an order - https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Book/Trees-of-New-Zealand-Stories-of-beauty-and-character/18276051/

New In this week are the Bearded Irises

Just awesome flowers in a range of colours, these beauties like rich soil in a sunny spot and with their rhizomes out to bake in the sun.

              

Family Deals

Dont forget that our Camellias are half price, 10% of Daphnes and evergreen Azaleas, standard Camellia are half price as are a whole heap of topiary plants.

Its not so far to Christmas so if you anything like us and have all and sundry for the day, the garden has to be up to scratch. Do gardening  a little and often instead of having a big rush just before the day. Whatever is planned for the rest of the weekend. Have fun!!!

Have a great weekend

Cheers,

Lloyd and Harry

Make it a Wairere weekend where gardenings not a drag!!!!!