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Saturday 9th September, 2023

Hi
Birthdays, Bananas and Brooms 
It was a privilege to be asked to a birthday luncheon of a dear friend which was hosted by family just north of Whangarei. The relationship goes back 30 odd years to when Wairere was in its infancy, perhaps just growing herbs and selling old roses. In those early days we even went out and helped maintain gardens; rose pruning and spraying were all part of what we did. A common bond and enthusiasm for gardening, growing all things plants (inclusive of flowers, veges, roses) and aspirations of beautiful gardens cemented the long friendship.
It's always a pretty cool thing to do to meet others that have a passion for plants and it's a pretty vast world of green out there. So, the Friday's activity for our birthday group was to meet Hugh from Land of the Lotus who actually specializes in banana palms of all sorts with some pineapple plantings thrown in for good measure (also Lotus lilies to boot). Such an amazing place to visit and so different too. Hugh was a great host with plenty to say about his some 42 banana species and cultivars which were all grown in groves and clearings through some Totara and Tairere. Not to mention the small fields of pineapple plantings. Totally neat and tidy in a different way with heaps of mulch used to enrich the soil, feeding the bananas and, possibly more importantly, weed control.
I find it fascinating that when you spend your time with a group of plants then you become so intimate with their form and behaviour and Hugh was like this with bananas etc. I imagine that any orchardist would be the same with apples and plums or whatever they specialize in. To a certain extend I'm like that with roses and often, for some cultivars, will go looking for the foliage I think they should have rather than reading the labels, but I couldn't do this with, say, apple leaves.
On that note I couldn't help myself but grab some banana and pineapple plants as Hugh said that he gets around -2 frost there and that's similar to what we have at Wairere. I did ask for the hardiest ones and we ended up with one dwarf and one tall. I'm sure we will find a special spot to plant them and hopefully crop some bananas.
Anyways I checked with Hugh and his place is open for visits but I would suggest making a call /email beforehand as its an appointment kind of place, rather just heading on out, or Google 'Land of the Lotus', 304 Mangakahia Road RD 9 Whangarei 027 439 1570 or alternatively email pauline@landofthelotus.nz
I have to mention that a visit to the area wouldn't be complete without checking out Tawapou Coastal Natives. It's the cutest NZ and Poor Knights  native retail that is up a steep driveway with its retail and growing areas carved out in the bush and trees. I Just hope that they have a quad bike to get up down to their growing and retail areas, otherwise they will be very fit as that hill is quite steep!
Of course I came away with more collectible plants and purely because I can't resist. Like, where else would you find a native broom and some special Poor Knights small trees which hopefully the frost won't get.
Tree of the week are the gorgeous Magnolias 
I can't really go past mentioning Magnolias this week because they are looking particularly stunning right now. Though if you think about it the Magnolias have been flowering for ages and the stellatas were amongst the first and denudata were also pretty early in the scheme of these ancient trees. I do tend to love Magnolias as a feature tree in the garden since when they are in full bloom, well, they can be just breathtaking. On the whole they are pretty easy to grow, though I know those big soft green leaves don't like a position that is too exposed to excessive winds.
 
I guess, but perhaps it's now the turn of Soulangeana, San Jose and Rustica which I have noticed of late. I mention all three because they are all quite similar but of course different. These three have what I would call the more traditional goblet shaped flowers of that rosy purple and white and often you will see them blooming away in the gardens of older houses. I did notice these in the plantings at nearby New World, Rototuna the other day, looking spectacular, hence the inspiration for this piece.
 
Star wars is another beauty and has quite a different shape bloom of rose pink and white and being more like a cup or sauce with the more outer tepals reflexing downwards. Its a hybrid between Liliflora and Campbellii and you can sort of see why and how the flower is the shape it is.
Iolanthe is another fav and there is a magnificent specimen of this one in the nursery just doing its thing right now. Big fat furry buds that open to delightful soft pink and white with large and almost cup and saucer shape blooms. 
 
The Magnolias with that yellow gene tend to be the last to flower and Koban dori is a very distinct yellow.. there are others with yellow and purplish hues and these are also quite different and so check out Magnolia Brooklynensis Woodsman, Limelight, Yellow Lantern and Sunsation.
 
Magnolia Deryk was a new release last year and is another very good Dark one that lines up nicely with all the other dark burgundy reds like Genie, Vulcan, Burgundy star, Black Tulip..
Lets not forget about the deciduous shrubs 
Deutzias are always spectacular in spring and there is quite a few of these to choose from.  They also range in stature from smallish to those that make for quite large fillers in the garden of around 2 to 2.5 metres. Generally white flowers though there are some pink forms as well and all are easy to grow making for good fillers in the garden. Lets tempt you with some or click the link to see them all.
 
Nikko is a pretty little spreading shrub that will delight you in mid winter/spring when masses of white tubular flowers cover every bare branch and twig.  Compact pink graceful, deciduous shrub with arching branches and delicate single, pink and white blooms that appear en masse in spring. Crenata or Bridal wreath.. This is a really pretty deciduous shrub with dainty fresh green oval leaves. In spring dense clusters of double pure white flowers smother the bush giving a very soft and delicate effect.
 
Viburnums and there are all manner of these beautiful shrubs. One of the classics would have to be Opulus sterile or what I would call the original snow ball tree which will grow into quite a shrub and could even be used as a feature in the garden. Summer snowflake is quite a different form along typical viburnum lines but with quite a layered like shrub effect. This one has the flat version of the classic flowers which are amazing when they all are in full flower on layered branches. You may remember our road side has Summer Snowflake. Ours have been coned but they do look pretty spectacular around Xmas time.
Weigela or apple blossom are a fab old fashioned shrub that has been around as long as I can remember.. apple blossom I guess because of the colour of the original form in flower. Currently we have Newport red, Variegata and snowflake in stock with Golden dragon to come.
 
Stachyrus praecox or Early Spiketail another classic shrub that looks stunning in flower with dangling racemes of bell like flowers.. this one also grows to a decent size and deserves a place in all gardens.. Great Autumn colours as well are a bonus to this one.
 
Kolkwitzia Pink Cloud. Beauty bush is a star in my garden at home and truly looks amazing in full flower with very pretty delicate pink flowers of an apple blossom shape. I can't rave enough about this one, truly beautiful in full flower.
There are more arrivals every week.. must be spring.. Spanish lavenders
Lavenders of the stoechus or Spanish kind are all coming up to flower. The Spanish lavender are the ones that have what I call the rabbit ears from the top of the flower. All lavenders love full sun and well drained soil and so they are definitely not one for the shade. The Spanish style lavender respond well to trimming to keep them bushy or when the flower flush begins to fade and you want a fresh flush. Don't over trim lavenders into brown wood as they don't regenerate well from this or do it too late as we approach the next winter.

 
These include Lavender Bandera Pink, purple and white which are more compact in form and is one of the newer cultivars to me
Fairy wings Radiance Compact habit, high fragrance and free flowering. Radiant pink spring flowers sit just above the fragrant green foliage. An excellent choice for garden beds or containers.
Helmsdale. This lavender originated from Marshwood Gardens in Southland. It has highly aromatic grey-green foliage and fat spikes of burgundy-purple flowers with purple tufts.
Lavender Lavish Blue, Musk, Purple and rose is another newcomer to the lavender series These are a bit different with lots of frilly wings nestled in the respective colour flower bracts all the way down the bloom.
Events coming up for your calender.  It's that time of year, so do some planning. I'm keen to get to the 'Naki this year.
Up the garden path  Katikati Garden ramble  by the Rotary Club of Katikati,  4th and 5th of November, 9am to 5pm.  Wet or fine. Tickets available in Katikati from The Arts Junction or buy online www.katikati.org.nz/katikati-garden-ramble

St Andrews Anglican Church Taupo Garden and Art Trail Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November 2023.. With up to 24 Town and country gardens in and around Taupo.. For ticket info etc  email josefbrown69@yahoo.com or phone 0278000779

Taranaki garden festival is open over a couple of weekends which makes it easy for a weekend getaway  from Fri 27th October until Sunday 5th November
I have to say that the garden centre is brim full of amazing looking plants. Whether you need a specimen tree for the lawn, extra fruit trees for the orchard, camellias for a hedge or shrubbery, or looking to update your rose garden, my guess is that there will be something to tempt you just like I couldn't resist when we visited up north.
There is still a heap to do in my garden at home and weeding will be a good start. Some hedges still need to be trimmed before they get spring growth because the job will be twice as difficult once they regrow. Maybe this week coming. Mulching of my orchard trees to prevent weeds from growing, to take a leaf out of Hugh's book.
If its a fine then there is plenty to get on with, otherwise I wish everyone a glorious weekend with lots of fun and enjoyment.
Have a good one, cheers from Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.

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HL Nurseries Limited t/a Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: