I hope that that frost the other morning didn't catch anyone with their pants down. I can tell you that we were out there late that night, ferrying all the Tomatoes and Tamarillos back into the shed and well under cover. It was just as well we still had the frost cloth handy as we could throw it over the Zucchinis and other tender plants that we had out on the tables.  In my opinion Labour weekend is a tad early for all those summer vege plants that we all love to plant. I have to say that in reality the plants that we struggle to be so early with are often no more advanced than the ones that we plant a few weeks later when those spring temps have really warmed up. Basil is another classic plant that just thrives in the heat and when planted when it's truly warm just romps away.  Apart from that light frost, the week has just been stunning and an absolute treat to be there outside working and its weather like this that those office bunnies are so envious off. LOL we can't have it all ways as I bet most of them have been happy to be in side in all those gales and squally showers that has seemed to have made up most of October.  All that said its still perfect planting weather and we have certainly been making the most of it in our garden. It's a huge advantage having a garden centre right there on tap when doing a new piece of garden, not too mention a garden designer right there to run your ideas past.

         
Ive been googling again and have learnt this week, that maples all have their own family called Aceraceae and the word Acer means sharp in Latin  and refers to the characteristic point on Maples leaves but I also didn't realize that horse chestnust or Aesculus are related too.  The seeds on maples are also quite distinctive with wings that have a small seed attached in between. Another thing to know is that maple syrup comes from the sugar maple Acer saccharum.

Now maples come in all shapes, sizes, forms and leaf types from some really quite large trees to those that we know better being the smaller domestic sized trees.  Its those really fine leaves of the dissectum types that get knocked around by the wind, like Acer dissectum viridis, so a sheltered spot is best for these types. They will even tolerate dappled light positions and especially some of the lighter coloured ones.  Now the Acers are just in their prime and peak of that new foliage, looking stunning. They have such amazing colours in the spring but dont forget that they have great summer foliage and awesome autumn colours too!!

         

I had to smile the other day when someone asked me if we had a teacup and saucer tree and I had to own up to the fact that I have never heard of such a tree. I then thought that I would google to see what comes up not surprisingly, Spode, Delft and many other forms of china. The lady then brought in a leaf for me to ID and I spotted what it was before she even got close.  It was a tulip tree cultivar or Liriodendron tulipifera. We have to learn both names of plants to be able to help people and some plants are only known by their proper name like Viburnums or maybe most people might refer to the whole family as the snowball tree which is Viburnum opulus sterile. This group of plants consists of some evergreens, though, mostly, they tend to lose their leaves but they have quite distinctive flowers either in the shape of a snow ball or flat like a lace cap Hydrangea. A good example of an evergreen one is Viburnum tinus Eve Price, classic  flat whitish flower and perfect for hedging or just as an evergreen shrub. For the first time ever we have Viburnum roseace which has stunning delicate pink pom pom flowers. Viburnum opulus sterile is the classic Snowball tree, Plicatum snowflake has thoe flat lacecap like flowers and one of my favourites that we have in the garden is macrocephalum and its just stunning. Burkwoodii has really scented  blooms. There is one for everyone LOL

NEW IN STOCK
Ang has been shopping and stamping her own mark on our selection of plants  and as mail orders grow we are now starting to have plants that suit those warmer microclimate areas or for those at the beach or even those further a field.
So new to us are these  Pohutakawas or  those that want to know Metrosiderous selections.
Brunsfelsia latifolia or Yesterday today and tomorrow, this form is more cold sensitive than eximea but definitely more tropo looking and delightful fragrance
Vireyas, I know that Angela is looking to add some of these to our range so they are not here yet but they will be coming
Plant watch
Echium fastuosum or pride of Madeira and Echium Cobalt towers have stunning blue flowers, huge spires that make for the best bee fodder. These make an unforgettable show through the summer and just love the heat and sun and good drainage.

Crabapple or Malus Red Top, These are high worked and are great plants but I need to move them so they can go at half price. Unfortunately they are too tall to courier but we could perhaps organise alternative freight if you can't collect. Rose has managed to sort out the freight companies to do dome home deliveries.

Anthony received this recipe of ‘Annabel Langbein'  from his sister the other day as as she had just made it and said it was really good . Tony was keen to make it so he got it all togather as I cracked a bag of walnuts' that we has sitting around and I have to say, its really really  easy and very good. It's the sort of cake that you could also chop and change around to suit what you have in the cupboard and thought what would it be like if we subbed the orange for a lemon. We used cranberries and sultanas and thought afterwards that it could have been a tad more fruity LOL.

        

If we dont have what you want of these we may be able to get it and there will be more arriving in next week so check out the Irises on line and be in touch.

Events... we have updated  to the  Garden events tab, Dont forget to check these out as there are many things on for the month of November.

Our garden is looking gorgeous and so if you have the time come on and check it out.  While you are at the nursery, the roses are just on the verge of being in flower so well worth checking out too. Whatever your doing I just hope that we get a bit more sun and that its all fun. Have a great weekend.

Cheers, Lloyd and Harry and the team

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