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Friday 26th July, 2013

Its all about Daphne this week

Hi

The history behind a name....

Its been the winter that wasn't and for us its Daphne time at the nursery again.  I have to say that I have never forgotten Chris's research into the origins of the name Daphne and it makes me laugh every time.         

Daphne (pronounced daff-nee) is a Greek word that originally referred to the Laurel tree - wh
at we commonly know as the Bay Tree. - Laurus nobilis. The name was later transferred to the Daphne bush that we know and love today.  Daphne is a derivative of Daphnis who was a Greek mythological character.  This name became popular when used in an erotic pastoral romance written in 2 AD by Longus who was a Lesbian i.e. meaning that he came from the Island of Lesbos.
F.Y. I. the term Lesbian came to mean women who love other women in ‘60's and ‘70's  but is thought to refer back to the Greek Poet Sappho (600BC) who also came from the Island of Lesbos and was both a Lesbian and a Lesbian if you get my drift.  
I have to quickly add that Daphne would have to have been a popular choice of drag names over the years for many a drag artiste
 
So as you inhale the intoxicating perfume of your beautiful Daphne bush just remember that there is so much more to the language of flowers than you ever imagined!!!!

We have just had all the of the Daphne that I have had on order arrive and I had forgotten that there was so many. Not only that, but when you see them down on the ground in the carpark there is every shape, size and form. You probably know me by now,  we have to have them all as I can't help myself when looking at plant lists.

Probably the one that stood out the most as I cast my eye over them all was Genkwa, a species that actually loses its leaves and flowers with tubular lilac flowers. Really different and one for the plant enthusiats. Next on the odd Daphnes list is burkwoodii  and its variegated cousin, semi deciduous and distinct Daphne like flowers but different if you know what I mean if. Finally Cneorum eximea, a cutie that wil suit a rockery or that special spot in your garden. Kinda flat and speady with pretty pink Daphne like flowers

The next one that stood out was Bholua and thats because the plants were just so large and in flower to boot. This beauty grows as a tall slender shrub, up to approx 2 metres and has the more classic Daphne flowers that are quite pale and dusky kinda white but certainly very fragrant.
Now more of a blast from the past but there is a batch of a rubra here which has quite a cascading habit.  Rubra has delightfully fragrant flowers which typical of form which are possibly slightly darker pink than the bush Daphne that we all know so well.

Odora leucanthe is the main bush form and as usual we have both pink and white. I often get asked if there is any difference in fragrance but I have have to say that  not that I discern, but hey I can't smell Boronia LOL (I do smell Daphnes though)

Finally there is one called Cameo and these are fab plants too, big and bushy and the fragrant flower has some apricot pink overtones and quite a distinctive leaf.  On the subject of leaves  i had better quickly add there is a Daphne that has a gold edged leaf and its very cool. Look great in a semi shade spot

Narcissus earlicheer.   Its all about fragrance this week and when these I saw heralding spring  I couldn't resist.  Have got them and the Daphne at the front door and its all good.


Primulas...I Just adore the Primula family and these doubles are just the latest out. Gorgeous double flowers and don't they look so cute with the extra set of leaves behind the flower. They are extra special at this time of year and look fab in pots. Anthony Wairere's garden designer has a whole collection in pots choose from

       

Rose  Red Flame Climbing..  Everyone has been asking for this one...  A new one to me though and a climber. Could be an good change from good ole Dublin bay. A multi award winning red, red, rose bred in France. This rose has even won an award for fragrance so you 'nose' it smells delicious. The hybrid tea shaped blooms appear from summer to autumn. It may be shy the first year after planting but will soon settle in. Glossy green foliage. 2001.

Maree's Mandarin Cake Click here for recipe

Now Maree was in the other day collecting her Blush babes and we are talking apple trees here and she mentioned about this mandarin cake. Hadn't thought of using those excess mandarins in a cake, but what a good idea. I duly bribed my father with a pork roast (he a crackling thief) so that he could make the dessert being Marees Mandarin cake and he even supplied the whipped cream to go with it.

Its the last weekend of the school holidays, Dare I say thank goodness as then I have the full team back. If you are in the garden then its time to prune even though we have had no winter otherwise we will run the risk of spring catching us not ready. Pruning includes fruit trees, roses and anything else you need to get done. Its still early to be thinking about feeding but if you have mulch then get this onto the garden as it will suppress weeds and plan to feed with ferts about the end of August.

Trust its going to be a good weekend so have fun with the kids.

Cheers

Lloyd, Harry 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 ... (11th April, 2013)

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

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: