I got a bit of a shock the other day when Annette called in. She had been researching an article that she was writing and informed me that it was 22 years ago that we moved the first house onto our bare piece of land.  In those days there was nothing here, just a transitional bungalow that we moved on overlooking a swampy piece of ground framed by two small groups of Kaiks. Gordonton itself was pretty quiet too but now just hums with activity and the Tron is just a hop, skip and jump away.
Now you might wonder where I'm going with these thoughts, but after all these years here and all our plantings, the bird life here is phenomenal. You wake up in the morn and the sound of all those birds waking is deafening, not to mention the gaggle of peacocks out the back of  our place. The calling noise they make is quite haunting, but the most exciting part to share is that after all these years and for the first time we have had a Tui chiming away in those Kaiks that are part of our garden. Now that's cool!!.
The kaiks when in fruit have 1000s of birds in there feeding,  big swarms of starlings, but we have planted Kowhais and the flowering cherries that attracts that the Tui especially.  Prunus puddum and Felix Jury are both sought after by the Tui  and are so very pretty trees to have in the garden.  While Im on about the flowering cherries again, there are some more different varieties about to be in full bloom. Mt fuji as it name suggest is stunning in white and the very pretty, Shimidsu sakura is about to blossom with big fat, double, pink buds that open to shades of soft pinks and white . Another gorgeous one but not so well known is Shirofugen, pretty and double in soft pinks and white.

Rock roses  is the common name for Cistus and probably a few other close relatives like halimium and halmiocistus. These are shrubby plants that love a hot sunny well drained spot. They benefit from being cut after flowering and are really pretty easy to grow. Available in shades of white, brilliant pink and yellow depending on type.

Winter roses These have been a winner and needed to get a heap more. Large full plants of flowering grade. Ideal for mass planting those shady areas wher you don't want to do any work. Plant at approx. 70cm centres and they will just about cover all the earth. Remember weeds only germinate and grow if the there is space and light.

Cheers, Lloyd and Harry and the team

Make it a Wairere weekend where gardening's not a drag