Making the right cut or not ...... lol... we talking
roses lol
We have a couple of newbies helping out in the garden centre right now and there is so much that is in my head that you just take for granted that now needs to be passed on to them in training. Its all the little things, like when pruning the roses, to make the right cut for example. Most when they prune back a rose, make a cut way too steep and often across the back of the bud which can cause die back. Even if you don't get the cut correct every time its always good practice to aim to get it right so that it becomes instinctive. I even find myself turning my hand to get the secateurs the right way around with the blade making the cut and the other side which bruises, being the bit that falls away..
I can't help myself but find that I'm always looking to cut out all the dead wood and if the rose doesn't have many leaders then I trim back the ones that it does have to force it to create new canes and then recreate the framework. Having said that all the roses in the nursery are now trimmed, re blocked and all just looking gorgeous as they are come up to flower. This week the new team and myself managed to get all the
standard roses lined up and attached to wires to keep them standing on these windy days and if I do say so myself it looks awesome. These are also just bursting bud so if you are wanting to come out and look at flowers then from now on is the magical time.
After the roses its the
tree area we have been working on and they need the same treatment as the roses with the right cuts and training. With trees in general you will find against the stem, a shoulder with side branch coming out from the plant. Don't cut into that shoulder but cut flush with it and then the tree will heal itself properly. Its also important not to leave a stub as this will just die back to the tree and make for an entry site for infection. I also not one to paint the wound with any paint or fungicide unless perhaps that the wound is really large. I find that mostly plants heal themselves well enough just like us if we get a scratch.
You garden should all be in full flush right now with the roses coming up to flower if they are already, I know that our hedges are looking really quite pretty at the moment with beautiful soft spring growth. ( don't you just love the green of spring foliage) Don't be tempted to cut those hedges back too soon or or you will that you have to do the job twice as if done too quickly, then spring flush hasn't quite finished. I reckon that once the spring green changes to the normal green, then that is the time to do the job. I usually aim to get all the hedges done before Xmas so the place looks grand for the day and then the hedges should stay looking good all summer.
Lavender. Its the best time to plant these. they really love the sun and the warm of late spring and summer
Foveaux storm is an English dwarf style with really dark blue flowers. Ideal for a border or hedging look or just as a plant towards the front of the border.
If you want Grosso then book them as we have some more coming next week and it would seem that they may be in short supply for us.
Blue Mountain Alba is a gorgeous little white lavender that has soft grey foliage and fine spikes of white flowers with just a hint of mauve in summer.
Lavender angustifolia Rosea known as English Lavender this is the lavender that is used for lavender oil production. Lovely grey foliage and long-stemmed flower heads of soft pink in summer make it a superb option for a low hedge. Easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot. Give it a good trim after flowering to maintain a compact shape.
Mock Orange (Philadelphis) an oldie but a goodie, generally a taller growing shrub suited for the back of a border or in a place that it can get a little size .... approx 1.5/2m. It flowers on previous seasons wood (prune directly after flowering) andf are generally considered to be tough and hardy liking sun and even a little shade
These gorgeous simple white flowers have the most stunning fragrance.... they didnt get the name mock orange for nothing sweetly reminiscent of citrus in flower. There are a few different varieties but I think the simplicity of Coronarius blooms would have to be one of my favs.
Spuds If your first plantings of tatties are nearing ready then you may want to plant a second batch and there is plenty of time for another crop. We need to clear all existing stock half price so this is a hot opportunity to get some more into the ground.
Kumara if you are more keen on trying these then now is the only time to get the plants. when they are gone that will be it for another year. I have always found these so easy to produce Kumaras and Im a big fan of roasted Kumara and pumpkin salads... I have my pumpkins seeds up and just need to pot them on so I plant out a good size large plant.
What coming up on the gardening Calender
Pukekawa Garden Ramble
15th November, tickets
Tickets $20, 12 gardens.
Tickets from Pukekawa School - do look at the facebook page It is a fundraiser to buy a greenhouse for the school garden club - raising seedlings in the school foyer has given haphazard results as you can imagine!
Pacific Rose Bowl Festival
12 - 15 Nov Rogers Rose Garden at the Hamilton Gardens. There will be live music on Saturday and Sunday, exhibitions throughout the festival, coffee and food, public judging on different days of the rose trials and the VIP judging for Rose of the year. Award ceremony on Sunday 15th starting 2pm
Gordonton Christmas Garden Ramble
Sat 5th Dec 9am-4pm
Tickets $20.00 Groups of 10 or more $15ea (School children free when accompanied with a paying adult) includes free entry to St Mary's Church fair and Woodlands Homested Call 07 8243850 or email rriddell@xtra.co.nz
Its been a hectic couple of weeks ( sorry no email last week) with all that we have on and in the middle of it we lost one of our dogs, Lucca the poodle. Its amazing how many habits that you have the surround your pets and every day routines. The nursery is looking stunning and its time to view the roses. If you have the time over the weekend come out and check them out as the place is in full colour and flush. Its worth the visit.
Hopefully we will see you out over the weekend checking out our amazing display of roses, they are looking just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend w
here even
GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag
