This week has had it's ups and downs for the Houghton family with a favourite elderly Aunt passing away and as always with times like these you find the family rallies round, supports where they can and reflects on times gone by. Hence my attempt to help to help with the newsletter this week!
Each time I visit the nursery, I marvel at its growth, beauty and all it offers to its community. Not only for the knowledge Lloyd and Harry provide of their stock and gardening in general but the variety of plants available, gorgeous grounds to wander through which I have done so on many occasions with Lorraine and other family members, where it's grown from and the vision and passion that the boys have for it still.
Lloyd's description of Wairere 22 years ago was of a tiny, tiny nursery specialising in
roses first, then branching out, and Harry laughed in reply stating that they had just sent out their 2nd truck filled with plants and
roses to be shipped countrywide, a far cry from the handful of orders that would have been issued when the business first began.
With word of a storm on the horizon earlier on in the week, the staff hustled to tie down trees and secure stock to keep them as protected as possible and once again we were reminded that sometimes life's events are out of our control and we have to tackle them as best as possible. Needless to say, the forethought in doing this has meant little damage to the stock at the nursery and it is looking as gorgeous as ever.
Nothing stands still here at Wairere. It is constantly evolving. Growing. Changing with the times, even the new wifi phone calling system currently being installed is well above my realms of comprehension but I know it is something that shows foresight, will benefit customers and make the nursery even better yet.
Oldies But Goodies
Lorraine was a keen gardener too and kept her patch immaculate to a ripe old age. Zinnias were always a plant that she had blooming away in her border garden and they have always been a fav of mine too. Other favourites that she had in the garden are pretty much classics.
Pink Daphne. The popular upright Daphne having clusters of white to pink blooms with the typical heady fragrance that
Daphne is renowned for. Attractive dark green foliage that offsets the flowers. Suits a dappled light spot. Evergreen.
This very desirable
Daphne has glossy green leathery foliage and tight clusters of creamy white blooms with a gorgeous fragrance. The blooms appear in late winter. Plant in semi-shade in nice rich soil, avoid Lime. Evergreen.
A feature tree that she had planted as a specimen on the front lawn and it was always loaded with fruit. Beautiful in the spring with its lime green foliage and then stunning in the late summer with all those orange fruits that hang on the tree and finally attractive red autumn tones.
Trachelospermum Jasminoides or
Star Jasmine that I planted on the garage wall. In my opinion one of the best evergreen climbers available to gardeners. Leathery glossy green leaves that have tones of red in winter and myriads of little white star shaped flowers in summer. Wonderfully fragrant. Well behaved and easy to grow. Can be used as a sprawling groundcover too.
Roses in general but her favourites in the border garden were the old fashioned miniature
Paree roses in shades of pink, red, white and salmon. These are always in flower and are almost thornless.
Good ole fashioned
lilacs or
syringa, beautiful flowers in shades of white, pink and purple. The flowers appear in spring and often have a wonderful perfume too, so are great for picking. Lilacs can be planted in sun or part shade and will do best in well drained humus rich soil. Any pruning should be done immediately after flowering.
Lilacs flower on old wood, so be careful not to remove the old wood.
Rose Pruning This Weekend
Don't be shy and if you want to come out to the rose pruning and haven't emailed, its no problem to join us . Bring all your questions and we will do our best to answer them.
I know that the chappie from the rose society is coming out on their weekend early so if you want help with rose choices, arrive early.
Rose Pruning..... Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway...... LOL
It's still been too warm to prune those
roses yet, well here in Gordonton anyways, but soon we will all have to get onto it as spring is just around the corner lol! well 6 to 8 weeks to go yet. To that end I will have some classes for those that are interested.
Saturday 12/07/2014 at 3.30pm Sunday 13/07/2014 at 10am
Saturday 19/07/2014 at 10am Sunday 20/07/2014 at 3.30pm with me and the Hamilton Rose Society.
Please register your interest by return email so that I have some idea of numbers.
I do hope you take a moment to reflect on your week and appreciate it for what it was, the good and the bad. Find the celebration, be present in the moment and enjoy the weekend ahead with friends and family.
Have a great weekend!
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag.
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