Saturday 8th November, 2025
Hi
I am writing the newsletter a day earlier than normal as I will be attending a family funeral this week. Death is a natural part of life, but always a bit shocking to be confronted by it when it's close to home. Many people come into the garden centre looking to buy a plant to commemorate a special person, whether for a gift or for themselves. Recently a customer came into store to purchase a rose which had a special meaning for them,
Lest We Forget, as their relative had been associated with the RSA.
The great thing about planting a plant as a memorial is it gives you a tangible thing to look after when your loved one passes. Its flowers and growth are a way to remember that the passage of time doesn't alter your affection and can help to give you a focus during a difficult time. We have a lot of roses which can be planted as tributes or just because a flower makes you feel a little happier when you see and smell it. Just like people, flower choice is personal and unique but flowers are universally enjoyed as something to lift our spirits and give us hope for the future.
Roses of Every colour
Love them or hate them, the best way to check out whether you like a rose or not is to see it in the flesh to to speak. All roses change as they move from bud to open bloom and then again as the flower is finishing. The colour, shape and scent change as they do this. Over the course of the flowering seasons there can be a difference between early blooms and later ones too. It all adds to the interest of growing beautiful gardens! For those after something a bit different check out these unusual varieties:
Dogwoods
These trees have been loved by generations of gardeners because of their many features. Said to be one of the hardest and densest woods, they have been traditionally used for tools and other implements. There is a legend about dogwoods being linked to the cross used to crucify Jesus, with the outcome that after this they grew small and more crooked and unsuitable as material for making crosses. They do usually form a smaller growing tree suitable for urban sections and the variety of the leaf colour, flowers and autumn tones give them a place in my heart as a favourite tree.
Eddies White Wonder is one of the most well known varieties and is probably one of the tallest - growing up rather than out with large creamy white blooms which create a beautiful show - most are flowering at the moment. The wedding cake tree
Cornus controversa variegata is also well known with layers of branches in white and green creating a soft pyramidal shape.
New at the Nursery
Gerbera
Patio Gerberas are a fairly recent development in cut flower and pot plant breeding but they are certainly spectacular with enormous flowers on long pickable stems. They come in a range of bright colours and are suitable for pots, planters or to put on your table for a short but vibrant display instead of a bunch of flowers. It's important not to overwater these as they like to dry out slightly between watering.
Kumara
Lots of people have been waiting for the
Kumara to arrive and we are happy to announce that we have limited stock of the Red variety in store now. These are sold in bundles of 25 for $19.99 so make sure you get in early to avoid disappointment. Kumara like to grow in well drained sunny positions and like to have firm base so that the tubers will thicken rather than grow long and straggly. We have some good tips on our website about the best way to grow. See
here.
STOP PRESS SPECIALS
Natives
While spring is here, and it's great planting weather, we have secured some new varieties of natives and have a special multibuy offer. These are usually $9.99 each but we have them at $7 when you purchase 30 or more assorted. We have
Grasses (Carex) and
Flaxes,
Coprosmas,
Pittosporums,
Wineberry,
Ake Ake,
Manuka,
Kanuka...whew! the list goes on. Get in while this great selection is available.
Shane's Special Trees
Garden Events
Floral Fest and Rose Show Friday/Saturday 14/15th November 10am - 4pm St Andrews Centre 85 Queen Street, Waiuku. Entrance koha or $10 for speakers. Rose show starts Friday 12 noon. See
hereWairere Nursery is just full of flowers at the moment. The roses are really getting going and the air is full of their fragrance. Hope your gardens are blooming as well as ours and that you have a great weekend.
Cheers from Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.
