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Thursday 11th April, 2013

 

.... and a rose that repeats on you ...

Hi

Big boots to fill...
It is with some trepidation that I am filling in for Lloyd for the next week or so. As you well know Lloyd has his own unique style when it comes to keeping you up with all the Wairere news and I think it would be wise of me not to try and compete. I must admit my first reaction when asked to fill in for Lloyd was “Oh my goodness – do I have to include a recipe?” ‘Cause that would be, in fact, a recipe for disaster!  However I’ve decided to rise to the challenge and include a link to my ‘Busy Day Bacon and Pine-Nut Pasta’ which only takes a few minutes to prepare and is absolutely delicious.

My horticultural marriage of convenience with L&H goes back for more years than we all care to remember. For the past 10 of those years I have been working for Wairere, part time, behind the scenes – maybe ‘the boys’ think I’ve got the ideal face for radio! Anyway, just so you know, I am a passionate plants-woman with a particular interest in plant history i.e. the origins of plants and their names etc. There are very few plants I’ve met that I didn’t like and I would find it hard to name my absolute top 10 however Irises and Miniature Narcissus would definitely be high up on the list.

Camellias and Rhododendrons
As Lloyd mentioned last week all the new season Camellias and Rhododendrons are now available. Beautiful looking stock, many of which are full of bud, just waiting to burst and add welcome colour to your winter garden. In my garden at the moment I am enjoying the first flowers on my Camellia Setsugekka hedge. What a wonderful plant this is, so adaptable and compliant coping with just about any conditions you place it in. Currently I have it planted in an easterly position but I have grown it in full shade and a friend of mine has it growing in full afternoon sun. It flowers for months, has white flowers with a delicate perfume, it trims well and makes a fantastic hedge or single specimen. Talk to us about pricing for hedging quantities.
If you don’t want a hedge but would still like a row of Camellias consider planting Camellia Silver Column, as  the name indicates this Camellia has an upright narrow columnar habit, lovely to march along a drive-way or against a fence. White flowers and handsome dark green foliage.
China Roses
This week we continue with our Rose story which I hope you are enjoying. As our Prime Minister is currently visiting China I suppose it is only apt that we have reached the chapter on the significant China Roses, the roses that repeat on you!
The importance of Rosa chinensis in the Rose story cannot be under-estimated. Without the parent genes of this species we would not have roses that have the ability to repeat bloom from spring until autumn. Sadly, the original species is now thought to be extinct but with China being such a huge country I, for one, am hopeful that it will be re-discovered growing happily in some little sheltered spot being cared for tenderly by an unassuming gardener. It’s entirely possible (if not a little romantic) as the Chinese have cultivated Roses from about 3000BC. Confucius (551 – 479BC) recorded that a large number of roses had been planted in the Imperial Gardens in Peking and roses are certainly depicted in Chinese art from the 10th century onwards though roses were never as revered as the Chrysanthemum.

The first descendant of Rosa chinensis to reach Europe is thought to be the hybrid ‘Old Blush’ AKA ‘Parson’s Pink’ which was planted in Holland in 1781 and no doubt transported to England from there. 8 years later a red form was found growing in Calcutta and brought to England by Gilbert Slater of the British East India Company, this rose is known today as ‘Slater’s Crimson China’. These 2 humble roses are responsible for the remontancy* in all the many and beautiful roses that we grow today. ‘Old Blush’ is also an important forbear of Miniature Roses.

           
Characteristics of China Roses

•    Dark pointed foliage often tinged red
•    Mostly small and compact
•    Start flowering early and continue until winter
•    Soft or little fragrance
•    Great variety of bloom colour and shape
•    Winter pruned

Some Wairere favourites to try: - Mutablis, Cecile Brunner, Perle d’ Or and for something completely different the green rose Viridiflora.

*Remontantcy – a French word that means blooming more than once a year i.e. 2 or more separate bursts of bloom rather than continuous.

News Flash from the Department of Fruit
Apple Pacific Rose, the first release to the general public of this delicious eating apple, bred right here in NZ is due in June. If this is on your must have list (and it should be) we recommend placing your forward order sooner rather than later as they’ll go quick. Our Feijoas are looking fabulous, a lovely big grade many with fruit on them. Not sure which variety will suit you best? Then check out our Feijoa chart under Selecting Plants on the How To page.
Mothers Day Gifts
A reminder too that Rose Mum in a Million is due in for Mothers Day, half the stock is spoken for already so order now if you want to secure this really lovely fragrant rose for the special Mum in your life. Our Angela would like to recommend the cheerful little pots of flowering Florist Patio Gerberas that are now in stock along with a great selection of fabulously fragrant Gardenias to brighten up pots and patio planters.

Well I think that’s enough from me for this week. As I write it’s great weather for gardening, warm soil that has finally got some moisture in it and temperatures that are just right for getting the spade out for a really good dig.


Cheers
Chris E and the Wairere Team

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

Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, RD 1, Hamilton
07 824 34 30
www.wairere.co.nz


 

 

 

 

 

 

Archived by year 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |

2013 Newsletters...

New Year and Crepe Myrtles (8th February, 2013)

clivias and Roses (15th February, 2013)

Roses in the beginning (22nd February, 2013)

The Albas (1st March, 2013)

St Patricks day (9th March, 2013)

Cabbage Roses (15th March, 2013)

Hirsute Roses (22nd March, 2013)

Portland Roses (28th March, 2013)

Bourbon Roses (4th April, 2013)

..... Big boots to fill ...

True Love and Large Hips (11th April, 2013)

Happy Birthday (10th May, 2013)

Tea Roses (17th May, 2013)

Hybrid Perpetuals (24th May, 2013)

Planting and caring for your new roses (29th May, 2013)

Polyanthas (31st May, 2013)

Hybrid Teas (8th June, 2013)

Floribundas (14th June, 2013)

Austin Roses =?utf-8?Q?e298bc?= (23rd June, 2013)

Different Coppers (29th June, 2013)

Pendula or weeping (5th July, 2013)

All in a days work (19th July, 2013)

Daphne (26th July, 2013)

Hydrangea Secrets (2nd August, 2013)

Maples high worked (9th August, 2013)

Magnificent Mags (16th August, 2013)

Mags Part two (23rd August, 2013)

Hedges (30th August, 2013)

The fluffy stuff (12th September, 2013)

Fluff and Stuff (12th September, 2013)

PC Irises (20th September, 2013)

Beardless Irises (27th September, 2013)

Lavender (4th October, 2013)

The Ilams (12th October, 2013)

Maples (17th October, 2013)

Maples (18th October, 2013)

Maples Part two (24th October, 2013)

Maples Part three (1st November, 2013)

It's Rained (8th November, 2013)

Busy week (15th November, 2013)

Hydrangeas (29th November, 2013)

Its rained some more (6th December, 2013)

Who's pinching my Peaches (13th December, 2013)

Merry Xmas (24th December, 2013)



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