Friday 29th November, 2013
Wahoo we have finally had some Rain
Hi
Gardens are for naked sunbathing?
I know, I missed an email last week but had an opportunity to take a few days off. Anthony,
Wairere's garden designer wanted to go to Melbourne or Daylesford to be exact, and check out 'Stonefields' the garden of a well known Australian garden designer, Paul Bangay. It was a welcome break for Harry and myself as well as an opportunity to be inspired by others. There was another open garden that we visited in the same area, 'Musk Farm' and the work of an establishd interior designer Stuart Rattle. The stunning gardens were both quite different with Stonefields being very structured and much attention to detail and Musk Farm being still quite formal but with more soft plantings for the want of a better description.
Whilst on the topic of gardens I have been suggesting to clients as they came into our shop that our own garden was worth a visit and if they had the time to check it out. I did have a chuckle when I suggested to one client that they go and have a look at our garden and pointed to the archway and where it was. They laughed nervously and said that they knew where the garden was. Last time they visited, they went through into the wrong garden and caught my father doing a spot of naked sunbathing. Laugh out loud, I bet they did a hasty retreat. I know never to go into my father's garden when the latch has disappeared as he'll be lying out there, with book in hand, starkers, perhaps that has brought on the welcome rain we have this week....
Common name and Latin name does it for Hydrangeas
It's the time of year for these sumptumous blooms in gorgeous shades of pinks and blues and there even seems to be a whole raft of flower shapes these days to boot. Now there are a few cousins in this family that belong to their own family of
Hydrangeaceae. The one that perhaps that we are all familar with is macrophylla which has the classic mophead flower. I love these flowers because they seem to flower forever starting with their greenish parsley like beginnings and opening to their particular hue and finishing with beautiful greens and purple and mauve shades.
Then there are the ones that are called lacecaps and these the ones that have the row of flowers outside, what almost looks like a pin cushion head. Now the tricky part about
hydrangea flowers is that some of them are fertile and others are there just for show and its my guess that the bit around the outside is the bit for show and the tiny bit in the middle is the fertile flower. In my head that would make the mophead ones have lots of decoration and the lace caps are mostly fertile flowers and just the ring outside for show.
The other thing of note is that
Hydrangeas are a bit tricky about what colour they are and if you are after a particular colour then you will need to know what cultivar it is and apply either lime or Aluminium sulphate accordingly. Lime will keep pink and those stunning reds the right shade and the aluminium will keep those blue ones a true blue and Hydrangeas do blue really well.
I did have to smile a few months back when a lady asked me what variety a particular hydrangea could be and it was rounded and blue and not even a flower to view. A real trick question because even if it was a blue one growing in the wrong acidity it could be a completely different colour.
There are other cousins or species that are really cool and
Hydrangea paniculata has awesome huge cone shaped white flowers and there are a few cultivars here that we have. Check out
Tardiva,
Kyushu and just
grandiflora.
Whats hot in the shop this week
Calla Lilies is quite an unsexy name for the
Zantedeschia lilies that make for such an awesome cut flower inside or just a grand show in the garden. These plants are just coming up to bloom right now. They prefer a sunny spot that is well drained in the garden.
Liliums are a pretty cool addition to the gardens at this time of year flowering away with vibrant colours. They are a great addition to a summer border garden and again like a sunny position that doesn't get wet.
Abutilons make for great colour with their lantern like flowers. These are pretty easy to grow and make a medium size shrub in the garden. These respond well to be kept clipped so that it keeps the bush full. They nearly always seem to be in flower and like the sun too.
Cannas, we have been asked for some small growing ones and the new series that have come in are called the
Kneehigh range. These have just arrived in and when I went out there to check them out they did look awfully cute, just like a miniature Canna. Cannas are notoriously hardy so whilst they like the sun, they are pretty hardy.
Hostas, couldn't resist adding these back as they are still looking so good right now. I just love the foliage and I note that Harry has been shopping again adding a new one to the range called
Blue Umbrellas which has very tall foliage. The large blue leaves are textured and ribbed and this hosta would be very striking in a semi-shaded spot of the garden.
I was asked for this recipe from a long term client the other day and its a doozey. I thought that I would refresh everyone with it as its just so easy and at this time of year and such a great dessert.
Joy's Banana Caramel
This is a dessert that my mother always used to make for us kids when we had to take a plate out. I think because it's so simple and easy to make and kids just love it. It is just so quick, perfect for this time of year.
Bananas sliced and in a bowl approx 3 to 5 bananas
A small squeeze of lemon juice will stop them going brown
50 grams butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cream
Put all in a pot and bring to the boil, simmer for approx 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't boil too long otherwise you will have toffee)
Cool and pour over the bananas and refrigerate
When really cold or before serving, cover with whipped cream and sprinkle dessicated coconut over the top. Don't leave off the coconut as it's just not the same without!
It's delicious and just so easy
Mail order. Last week for mail order will be the week prior to the Christmas week and there will be no mail order again until the week of 20th of Jan 2014. The garden centre will only be closed Christmas Day otherwise open all days 8.30am to 5pm.
I have to say that we are on that countdown to xmas, What ever you have planned for the weekend, make sure that its a good one
Have fun!!!!
Take care and have a great weekend.
Cheers
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag.
