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Saturday 25th April, 2020

Hi

Now... where were we?
It seems, a while back, and quite suddenly, the government announced that we were in Alert level 3 and in 48 Hours would be in Level 4, being the lock down of the past 5 weeks. It would be fair to say that at the time I don't think anyone knew what level three was, and almost, life continued as per normal with everyone shopping up a storm sorting enough projects to last the time.

As I write this email with the anticipated Level 3 now within reach and some degree of shopping allowed I reflected on where we were as a business... Oh yeah, that's right, we were waiting on much needed rain to go into sales mode to clear roses, fruit trees and a few other bits and pieces to make way for the incoming new seasons stock. Well as you know I have been looking after those said roses and, with their prune and feed etc., they are looking pretty damn fine and all still with 25% off. It's such a stunning day that I went for a look to see what varieties we still have to tempt you with and we will continue where we left off.
Some really good reds as in Hans Christian Andersen... a classic floribunda that is typically healthy and will reward you with clusters of lovely dark red, semi double, ruffled blooms...  take a gander at Trumpeter another fab floribunda, again classic cluster flower but this time in a more orange red. Then there is the newbie on the block, Fireball from Glenavon aka Rob Somerfield. Fireball is another floribunda with masses of showy orange blooms and whitish reverse, healthy as and fewer thorns. Floribundas are really good in the garden for giving a spectacular display. They will look great as a mass plant of say 5 to 7 shrubs or could even be a bordering hedge if you planted them at 70 to 100cm apart. A gorgeous dark red option is Black Knight as we still have a few of this stunning Hybrid Tea.

 
Feeling like peachy pink shades, then Hamilton gardens may be for you healthy robust and gorgeous Hybrid tea blooms... Hayley Westenra is another goodie and a tad unusual in its ruffled form but again happy, healthy and lots of stunning flowers.
Maybe some whites, then check out Luminis, a pristine white and I do like the green of the foliage on this rose, Princess of wales is another great floribunda with masses of pure white blooms. Last time I checked the stock there also are some Scott base, a fairly new rose and very pretty ... Little Angel is another pure white floribunda with fab form. Another great rose from Glenavon being White Romance... nice foliage, healthy bush and very attractive pure white roses.
Something pretty, old fashioned looking, then Lichfield Angel is a stunner, creamy apricot blooms that gently fade to white in olde world form or take your browsing to City of Timaru... delicate apricot paling to cream.

If you want to check out the roses that are in stock at the moment click the category and the tick the box that says Showing stock items first and this will give you all the roses that are 25% discounted. It's not just about roses as the discount applies to current season stock of apple, plum and pear trees, remember to check the pollination charts, hydrangeas and rhodos as well.
Peonies
These peony tubers all arrived just before lock down in beautiful pictorial prepacks. A true perennial that heralds spring with huge fully double, sumptuous blooms forming a generous clump in the garden and stunning autumn colours before winter hibernation. These beauties do like the cold and so the coldest spot in the garden. You may even want to keep them in the fridge for a few extra weeks, like you would Tulips, before you plant in the ground or in pots. We have a selection of white, pinks, and a gorgeous new deep, dark, red and it's fragrant! Peony flowers last well on the bush and are great for picking, they make stunning border plants, mixed amongst other shrubs and perennials or grouped together to give a great display of colour.

Mail order and contactless collection
It's an exciting week coming since I am allowed to extend my personal bubble to include that of my team and create the Wairere bubble. The nursery and its surrounds are a tad large to be managed alone, so it's a welcome relief that the gang will all be back. The gardens refreshed, hedges to finish before the potting season, new stock arrivals to fill the place back up and the usual plant maintenance at this time of year.
I have been busy sorting all manner of things to ensure, when the team do get here, that we are conforming to the guidelines as set down by the government to keep us all safe and healthy. 
I think it's great that we are already set up for mail orders and in a great position to be able to send our product out. It's at times like this that I am grateful that we have such a strong online presence. Keep in mind that our website inventory is real time so what's online should be available (we are dealing with a living product though) and if it's not but is coming then the anticipated availability date is listed under the item.  The plants that are expected soon, but are not currently in stock can be placed on back order for allocation to you when they are in stock again. So, it will be mail order as usual, though we just have to clear the back log of orders... those that didn't go due to the sudden lock down and then all the subsequent orders will be sent in date sequence. Thanks to everyone for being so patient.
With a little more organisation of tiding up our collection service, both physically and on the website, it means that we can conform to what's required under level 3 for click and collect. If you are making an online order that you wish to collect then you will now be prompted to add a collection date and time frame. This means we can have your order ready and waiting in the carpark for your choice of day and time for collection. It will mean that you will have to load your own. If you can't then stay in the car and pop the boot so we are able to load plants for you. It would be helpful if you let us know in your order that you require this service.
If needed we can also take orders over the phone for collection but the same deal applies in that we will need a date and time that you intend to arrive to pick up the order.  It is important and will, of course, be appreciated if you can stick to the time and date given.
I know that Ang has been busy ordering stock for us to receive in the garden centre over the next few weeks so keep watching out for Citrus, Proteas Banksia, Pieris, Azaleas. You can back order these and we will let you know when we have processed them into stock, that just leaves it for you to decide if you want to have them sent or will collect. 

I have read many comments and been sent many messages about how hard it has been for those of you who are used to being able to come in and browse our gorgeous plants and check out our displays and gardens but with luck and good management Level 2 wont be too far away and in the meantime... browse the online catalogue, order and pay online and pick a day and time to collect. 
Roasted Quinces by Digby Law... Thanks heaps Chris!!
I wasn't going to go on about cooking but Chris from Taupo sent me this recipe for roasted quinces... well it's to die for... and that's coming from me who wasn't that keen on 'stewed quinces'! As there were still some quinces around, although I admit I did have to scavenge the star anise from the neighbours, and luckily, I had maple syrup in the Cupboard. I did heap the sugar because I have a sweet tooth especially at dessert time. I have even made this a second time, well still had the fruit and it would be rude not to!
HI, Just wanted to let you know that there is a delicious  Digby Law recipe for roasted quince 
 4 heaped tbspn sugar,  500 mils water,  4 cloves,  2 star anise,  4 smallish quince,  4 tbspn maple syrup or honey
 Bring sugar and water to the boil,  add cloves and star anise,  add peeled 1/2’d quince( I quartered large ones )
simmer ‘til tender,  lift quince into a shallow oven proof dish,  add maple syrup to 150 ml cooking liquid and spices,  pour over fruit and bake 30 min @ 180 c 
I dont  heap the sugar , just use level tbspn,  delicious with plain Greek 
best wishes ....... Chris  ( Taupo )
Eeeekkk!!
As I sit in the shop and write this email I am listening to the scurry of those furry sure-footed rodents called mice. I know my peripheral vision is working as I see the shadows out of the corner of my eye...  perhaps because the shop has been shut for the past 5 weeks and definitely because its Autumn and they are looking for a warm home to nest. My handy hint for today is set those mouse traps or put out the appropriate bait safely. I feel for the ladies of old, in their long full skirts and bustles, seeing how fast and nimble the mice are, you would never find them in all those material layers, you can certainly understand why the fairer sex stood on stools at the sight of a mouse! No long skirts here of course but I had still better sort this before Tuesday as I know they are still not appreciated by some of the staff.
Finally, I will add as a reminder that our shop will not be open and there will be no retail sales as such. Orders must be all pre organised and contactless so please check your order carefully as we won't be able to change orders once they are made or add to them, but it's a start for us all. Please be patient as we are all in the deep end learning new skills, dealing with new software and coping with a new shopping environment!
Lastly, it's a glorious day, doesn't matter what day as I lost all track of that kind of thing weeks ago...  but well worth enjoying!
Cheers Lloyd Tony and the Wairere Bubble 

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Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: