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Saturday 6th May, 2023
Hi
Break the perception of Camellias .... Meet More of the family
I often wonder if there is some confusion with many about the name Sasanqua which is one of the many species of Camellias and of course we have many cultivars. Probably the variety Setsugekka does nothing to alleviate this as its full name is Camellia sasanqua Setsugekka, almost a tongue twister. Another species of Camellia that we have plenty of cultivars in, are the Japonica's. To quickly recap Sasanqua Camellias generally have traditional Camellia shaped leaves as do Japonicas ( as in the leaf shape and colour as we all expect). Japonica's often have the larger leaves and bigger flowers compared to Sasanquas, though this is only a generalisation and hybridising and crosses can blur this somewhat, and then of course we end up with other generations of X hybrids
Personally I really love some of the other species of Camellia and that is because they often have quite different leaves and flowers from perhaps the Japonicas and Sasanquas. Whilst we have many varieties of Sasanquas and Japonicas these other species tend to be just the one "original " species that we stock though there may or probably perhaps are cultivars or varieties of around. Perhaps just not produced in New Zealand.
I have the specie Camellia Tsaii in the garden and this one has grown into quite a handsome small tree.. It has quite narrow almost willow like leaves in a mid green. Often with species Camellias the new growth can be bronzy coloured and this beauty is no exception as the foliage emerges soft mahogany bronze and then ages to green. The flowers are tiny, fragrant and white with delicate stamens showing making for a stunning mass display.
Camellia Transnokoensis is another Camellia that I just love for many reasons. To start it has quite a tall, almost columnar, habit and as such suits smaller space. There is one in the display garden that must be 25 to 30 years old now and whilst around 5m high is only around 1.5m wide. Then there is that lacy foliage effect that it has, with small leaves that emerge as a coppery colour and then age to green. Masses of tiny pink buds smother this handsome plant that open to tiny fragrant white flowers. Transpink and Transtasman are examples of hybrids that have been produced using Transnokoensis as one of the parents.
Note I also have a long hedge of Transnokoensis at home and its just stunning with its coppery new foliage and then flowers that which also provide nectar for the bees. In my experience though Transnokensis doesn't like wet feet or prolonged wet but as long as the position is free draining then it's a fabulous choice.
Camellia sinensis is commonly known as the tea Camellia and of course tea is produced from the new leaves of this species. I'm sure that all the tea producers in the world would have produced or hybridized their own selection for commercial production of this household beverage. All that aside, for me, a very handsome shrub or small tree with long narrow mid green leaves and the most exquisite small open white flowers and of course one you could grow to try your hand at both black and green tea!!
Camellia microphylla is another really cool species, microphylla meaning small leaves and the foliage really doesn't look like the perceived image of Camellias. Small round mid green leaves with some serration and again beautiful starry white flowers and that are also again fragrant.
Camellia Minutiflora. Dare I say one for the collector or perhaps they all are, so different from our usual perception of a Camellia.. This one with long pendulous branches smothered with tiny dark leaves, essentially a weeping form. Tiny red buds open to tiny white flowers. Apparently this one has been reclassified as a variety of Lutchuensis, its new name will be Camellia Lutchuensis var minuteflora. Lutchuensis is very similar in form and habit to minutiflora.
Lastly of the species that we carry in stock, there are the Reticulatas and these are the biggest of the Camellias with much larger leaves and flowers. The leaves can almost be corrugated and with larger internode space between them than say other Camellias. Needless to say that these probably grow bigger in the short term and perhaps look more tree like. A classic example that been around for a while is Dr Clifford Parks with very large semi double bright red blooms. In pink there is this NZ bred cultivar being Congratulations.
Roses all bush and climbers all just $20
Its time to clear these out for good now as the new seasons are imminent now and we are going to need the space for potting season which is now just around the corner approx 4 weeks away. The roses are still looking pretty good but of course looking quite Autumnal with their foliage. The wood is firm and hardened and so just need a new home in the garden. Its great planting weather for all roses and trees alike. If ordering on line these roses then please add to notes or comments any second choice as the numbers are getting down and we only like to send great plants.
On that note there are still Apples, Apricots, Plums and Peaches all with 25 % discounted. all good plants, just need planting out in this fab warm Autumn.
New in, just arrived or of note
Daphne Perfume Princess and also the white form. Now Daphne can be a tad tricky to grow and does prefer the morning sun in the day or a more of a woodland situation. A bit picky but does like rich moist but on the drier side, peat or compost like soils. The Perfume Prince series is a cross between the usual Odora and taller but more hardy type species called Bohlua. This means these should be easier to grow and have success with, though will make for a taller bush.
Winter roses. Yep its that time again and the start of all these new delightful hybrids are on their way into the garden centre again. Check out Helleborus Anna's Red, Ilumii Lime, Isabella's Charm. Mollys White, Pennys Pink and Sophie's Delight.
Acacia Baileyana Purpurea... Haven't had this for a while but is the purple leaved Acacia or wattle. I'm sure that the bluish tinged purple foliage would be a winner with those that do floral work. This one grows as a small evergreen tree though you could cut it just to provide and harvest floral work material.
Thrytomene Paynes Pink and Super Nova are fab evergreen shrubs and are suited to growing in a sunny spot. In winter have masses of tiny starry flowers in clusters and another goodie for cut flowers in the vase.
Tea tree or leptospermums, too many to list here but a good variety of these shrubs come small trees arrived in just this week. The ones that have nanum in the name are the dwarf or smaller growing ones. These make for great shrubs in the garden being suitable as fillers or small trees . Trim to keep bushy and follow this link to see the ones we have in stock. If we havent got them yet then you can wait list them for when we do.
Bottlebrush.... Callistemons named for their bottlebrush like flowers mostly in the red shades and just for the record the Tui will feed on these as well. Mostly small trees but of course there are always exceptions. Grow these in full sun and with good drainage as they are of Aussie origins.
In the garden
Time to put the garden to bed for the winter by weeding and cleaning up. Cut back spent perennials whose top foliage has died away like deciduous grasses, Hostas and other perennials that retreat into the ground. Hedges may need a final trim for the year if the Autumn flush has stopped expanding and that should be the last until after the spring flush, unless of course it stay so warms that they regrow.
Don't dead head or cut back roses but leave the wood to harden and for them to set seed as in hips in the garden. Its almost time to start thinking about spraying them with Lime sulphur if you are that way inclined or alternatively Copper oxychloride and conqueror oil to start the defoliation and period of rest.
We have been weeding and adding last years leaf mold to the garden to use this up. This is to empty the bin so we can collect all this years leaves that we blow up and make new leaf mold for next year. Mulch the garden and they should stay weed free for the Winter.
Gordonton Art & Design Trail... This weekend
Saturday 6th and Sunday the 7th May 10am to 4pm Free event
Explore Gordonton countryside. Trail maps available from Wairere Nursery, The Mandarin tree Gallery, Firepot Cafe, Woodlands Garden Grove Cafe and Bar, Cornerstone Alpaca Stud.
For more details visit the Facebook page The Gordonton Art and Design trail or phone 022 107 7562
A very warm past week or so in fact the warmest May on record I think I heard or read somewhere.. anyways up in the 20s is pretty good growing weather and with the additional rain that we are getting right now. Hopefully its not excessive for those that have already had more than they need.
Mothers Day is looming ( Sunday 14th May) so get those thinking caps on as to how to spoil mum for the day. Breakfast in bed, Cafe for lunch, special dinner with all the extended family, a day out or make the time to visit and connect. Its usually the simple things that make the day.
Another week done and dusted and the next one (week) is only two days away lol. I think that it's meant to be a wet weekend but no matter we will enjoy it anyways.. Whatever your plans, have a great weekend
Cheers from Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.
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Last 25 Newsletters...
Mothers Day this Sunday (9th May, 2025)
Rhodos and the like (3rd May, 2025)
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HL Nurseries Limited t/a Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: