Xmas Lilies and Xmas Fare

Hi

 

It's a balancing act at this time of year, All those jobs that must get done before Xmas and all the functions and end of year get togathers that just have to be squeezed into ones social calendar as well. It's no different here at the nursery. All stock has to be under irrigation, empty plant bays,  emptied completely and the irrigation capped. Plants reblocked, fed and tipped,  so all is at a minimum over the fortnight of stats and holidays. Hedges all cut and gardens sorted and house washed and then it's a big rest for the next couple of weeks.

Xmas Hours we are only shut for Christmas day and are otherwise open 7 days 8.30 to 5pm as usual. Some one has to check all the watering (LOL) So dont be bored or shy if you want to come out for a wander.

                 

Christmas lilies always flower, funnily enough at Xmas time. It never ceases to amaze me just how they get their timing right with all their buds swelling up just ready to burst open for Christmas day. Lilium Longiflorum is their proper name and the variety that we have is Snow Queen. Now my understanding is that the true Christmas lilies are these magnificent tall ones but you can also get a shorter much squatter variety. There are something quite majestic about a large clump of these beautiful Lilies and my friend Chris will attest to fact that a single stem will fragrance a whole room.  Remember though that the pollen that drops can stain or mark clothes or furniture. I can't bring myself to cut the offending parts off but a handy hint that I heard about but never tried was to spray the ends with hairspray. I would spray very carefully though as the spray may mark or damage the flower itself

They will grow just about anywhere provided that they have their own spot to reappear every year. An excellent plant for a pot and when you get to that bewitching age bracket you may even find your self collecting lilies varieties and clones and have several pots of these awesome plants.

Sorry we can't courier as the plants are too fragile so collection only.

ROSE CHAT 

Now that the spring flush has finished I cut my roses back hard and they will be back in flower in 7 weeks again. Give them a feed and keep the water going though! Its been raining  quite regularly so watch for black spot and if you see some starting to appear then give them a couple of close sprays to keep it a bay and then another spray when the rain stops. Shield or Super shield should do the trick. I know that June is a long way off but its time to be ordering new seasons roses and trees and fruit trees so if you are after something in particular then flick us an email.

A MUST FOR YOUR FREEZER;  Lemon Vodka Martini Granita

Damn easy to make. Just as easy to drink and perfect to whip out for an impromptu session in the sun with friends. Just don't have too many LOL We found this recipe in a River Café Cook book by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers. We doubled the recipe so that it used the entire bottle of vodka and made many batches a few summers back. It looks really cool served in marguerite glasses. We found that granita made from a true lemon like Yen Ben or similar had the bestest flavour but there was no problem downing them made from the good ole Meyer.

8 Lemons                
8 Ice cubes
400 ml Vodka

Sugar Syrup
140g Caster sugar
100 ml water

To make, dissolve the sugar in the water and boil briefly until you have a light syrup and then cool

Wash the lemons and grate the zest of 6 of them and juice all 8. Mix the zest and juice together  and you should end up with approx. 500ml

Smash the ice and mix in with the  syrup, vodka and lemon zest mix. Freeze. youll find that it wont freeze properly due to the vodka so kinda smash or mic and serve and drink immediately !!!!

A MUST FOR YOUR  FRIDGE;   Brandy Pot
Dad has been popping over with his brandy pot lately and a tub of ice cream which was real handy one night when we had guests over for dinner and no dessert
This recipe is from The NZ Crockpot Cookbook by Joan Bishop and Im sure that you can use it as a base and modify to what ever you have in the cupboards. Im know that Harry used  to make this with fruit mix and duty free Jagermeister as his own special brew.

300 g dried Apricots halved
300 g Raisins
150 G crystallized ginger finely chopped
150 g dried mango slices chopped
1 x 425 tin stoneless black cherries in syrup
1 x 425 tin peaches in Syrup chopped
1 x  425 tin pears in syrup chopped
1 ¼ cups honey
2  ½ cups brandy
¼ cup lemon juice

Place all ingredients in the crock pot, cover with lid and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.
Cool and spoon into jars  and will keep almost indefinitely in the fridge. Serve over icecream

Asparagus I just love this spring vegetable and we have had heaps thanks to one of the team living down the road from the grower. I have been lightly blanching the spears in boiling water and then cooling them down in cold water. Dry the spears off and drizzle over a balsamic dressing and chopped roasted pumpkin seeds or instead of the seeds finely chopped tomatoes.  Make your own dressing with olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, honey salt and pepper to taste.

MELBOURNE fLOWER SHOW

             

Dont miss out!!!

Please complete the booking form on the website or call Denise directly on 09 575 7121 to secure a place on this wonderful trip or just if you want some more information!

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show - Escorted Tour with Anthony Skinner
3 nights from $1659 per person

STUCK FOR XMAS PRESSIES

Vouchers make a great gift and you can choose any amount that you want, Call out and collect them or order them online. We can post these out  and probably the last post before Christmas would be Thursday the 22nd

          

ARS Tools Good Quality Shears Secateurs and Pruning saws.

Pots  Perfect presents especially if you tart them up with some potted colour or even a herb or three. They make for awesome outdoor table settings or even for that sunny window sill with a few herbs. Candles always make for excellent gifts and these will definately add some romance to these long summer evenings.

Housekeeping

Our last day for dispatch of mail orders will be Tuesday the 20th of December and there will be no more mail orders again until Wednesday the 11 of January 2012.

Hours closed only Christmas day otherwise 8.30 to 5 pm 7 days.

 

Have a great weekend and take care

 

Cheers,

Lloyd and Harry

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