What a week its been...

What dramatic week it's been with, quite the spring storm and then of course today the devastating news that we had lost the America's cup. Now I'm not sure that I really followed it all other than I wanted us to win, but it did provide plenty of gossip and speculation on the shop frontage of the rights and the wrongs of it all.

Now on a gardening note, you never quite know how much info to give to our clients, too much may just put them off gardening for good and too little may not ensure success and I guess there is a happy medium somewhere there.

It was a weekend day when a dedicated Wairere client casually chatted to me to say that their asparagus wasn't doing anything and should it by now. Tongue in cheek, I cheekily asked if they had planted it the right way up. I then went on to say that the crowns go to the top and the roots hang down. I not allowed to mention names here of course  but she looked at me as if to say there was a possibility that it had indeed gone into the ground upside down. I then quickly moved to the asparagus crowns in the shop to demonstrate tops and bottoms to the uneducated as she dissolved into a pile of giggles and fronted to the fact that the crowns had indeed gone into the ground tops first.  We all had a good laugh as she resolved that when home again would right the tops and bottoms and hopefully she will gain a few spears as the plant no longer struggles to grow to the surface.

Now I have this fabulous piece that Chris researched on more beardless Iris namely the Siberians and unfortunately I only have a few in the garden centre but will have lots next week so will let you have the story, but don't be shy and check them out on the web if you are keen and back order them so you don't miss out.

On the whiskery Iris front well there are still plenty of Bearded Iris here in the garden centre and more on their way in next week.

           


Siberian Irises    AKA Siberian Flag     (also clean shaven i.e. beardless)

The first thing you need to know about Siberian Irises is that they are really easy to grow. They are tolerant of a wide range of conditions including extreme cold, they don't need dividing very often, they are seldom attacked by pest or disease and they are really, really beautiful. Can you imagine a cluster of large colourful butterflies dancing in the breeze in your garden? If so then plant some Siberian Irises; well established clumps in full flower will give you just that effect.

Siberian Irises is the collective name commonly used for a group of  ‘beardless' Irises found naturally in Turkey, Italy, Russia, China and the Himalayas.  There are approximately 10 species in the group and most modern hybrids grown in gardens today are a cross between Iris sibirica and Iris sanguinea. In ancient times parts of these Irises were used in herbal recipes as a cure for ulcers and to alleviate women's problems - whatever that means! Today they are highly desirable, elegant and easy to grow rhizomatous herbaceous perennials.

                

Siberian Irises are generally happy in full sun as long as they have ample summer moisture. If your garden is very hot they will be grateful for afternoon shade.  They will grow happily along stream or pond margins as they are water loving but don't immerse them in water - leave that for the Louisiana Irises. Their preference is for soil that is mildly acidic therefore it is best to avoid Lime. New clumps should be planted with the roots and the top of the rhizomes completely covered. They may take a season or 2 to settle down but once they are happy and in full flower in mid to late spring you will be so pleased you planted them. The narrow, green, grass like foliage forms a strong vertical clump and the flowers (butterflies) are carried on the top of long slender stems. The colour range includes crisp whites, bold blues, and darkest purples. In more recent times pinks and pale yellows have also become available.

Siberian Irises are deciduous and will be appear to be completely dormant in winter. The foliage turns brown before dying down and can be removed any time after late autumn. Take care not to damage the little green pointed shoots that will be nestled at the bottom of the clump when doing your tidy up. In spring give the clumps a nice layer of mulch and some general fertilizer but other than they are best left undisturbed. If you do eventually want to divide the clumps do so in early spring, ensure your divisions are of a generous size and keep them well watered until well established. Enjoy!

 

Queens of the universe, well not a gay pageant but rather a climber with well a showiness that could, well be a gay pageant.

             

Cle mate is or Clematis, its another one of those words that I have never known how to say properly but this group of climbers is quite diverse!  Now Chris who does quite a bit of research has the right way to say the name written but the another fascinating fact is that these queens belong to the family Renunculaceae or for those that prefer the common name, the buttercups. If you are keen on growing these showy beauties there are a few tips that are worth noting and Chris has sorted our selection into groups so that you can have the best success as they do need slightly different pruning techniques. They do look really cool grown through other plants like roses

There are evergreen forms like Clematis Armandii Snowdrift with the coolest foliage, hand like with fingers, in a very good dark green and pretty white flowers in clusters but the Hybrids always steal the show with the girls that come into the garden centre.

 

Sneaky spring disease Downy Mildew

Downy mildew is still around and even quite experienced gardener is tricked with its subtle symptoms, leaves fall off and classic dieback are how it goes and it just has to be sprayed for especially in new plants. Once you have it under control you may never have a problem again. I hate to single out any roses but some are just so much more sensitive to it than others as no rose plants are created equal. The rain is the problem with those new delicate leaves. If you have or suspect downy, use Bravo and break the spore cycle by spraying two or three times two days apart, then spray with the weather patterns, before rain and after rain. I sprayed this morn as rain is due again.

Hostas

Have updated the web pages for the hostas and now its full of pics so get online and check them out before they come in over the next couple of weeks.

    

Maples

We have loads of fabulous maple trees with beautiful leaf colours in stock at the nursery right now, check them out online.

Spuds are back.  If your are gardening this weekend then its perfect time to get your spuds in.

Time flies and the school holidays are upon us again, switch the clocks back too and we are into the long evenings just perfect for gardening. Hope that the weekend is fine and the weather is good for the holidays as well.

Take care   and have a great weekend.

Cheers

Make it a Wairere weekend where even GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag