Saturday 25th February, 2023
Hi
Lets talk more on shade
Often many start a home and garden from scratch on an empty site. I know we did. The very beginning was an empty section on which the plan was to put a home and garden as our first step. We relocated an old transitional bungalow and made a garden which is of course the display garden today. Now this garden is now some 35 years plus and it has changed from those days in that now many areas are somewhat shade or even very shaded. Of course those full sun plants over the years have been shaded out and though the structure of the garden is mostly still the same, some of the plantings are quite different due to the light. My guess would be that approx every seven to 10 years one needs to reassess what is still working within the garden and change whatever isn't working. Plants and trees tend to keep growing and taking more space and so the need to either feather to fit or perhaps remove and replace, remain ongoing challenges to keep it all working together.
It's interesting to note that on a whole different scale that the garden centre is like having an enormous garden and the same issue of shade and light have become problematic. The trees we have planted, that give the garden centre its character, have over years become quite large and now shade big areas. For example the space that we keep the ornamental trees is quite shaded. We have kept them there as it's the area is the most protected from the wind and they remain standing unless the wind is very strong, but the time to reassess has come
The shade factor down this end of the nursery draws the trees up more as they reach for the light. Then there is the fact that all the trees that should have amazing coloured leaves and in this now shaded area have quite muted tones. All the red maples like
Crimson queen,
Garnet,
Inabe shidare and
Red emperor to name a few for example, their leaves are muddy red green instead of the expected rich burgundy reds.
So the ornamental trees are on the move as we rearrange the entire nursery before all the new seasons stock comes in. There was a bit of planning involved as the more sunny position has more wind exposure, therefore we are making some structures to keep them all upright. I guess that once we move all the trees it will pave the way for a new look garden centre as we reposition all the other plants groups that we have. Then we may crown lift the bigger trees to let more light through.
I think that all of the team are pretty excited about all the changes but it has us all thinking and usually the group decisions tend to be the best as it's not all finalized yet.
New in this week
Scabiosa Vivid Violet Pin cushion flowers. Species being atropurpurea, native to southern Europe with flowers like its common name suggests, being a pin cushion. This cultivar being called Vivid violet and a goodie for the sunny perennial garden. Great for red admiral butterflies
Phlox Pink red eye, Pink White eye. A traditional perennial meaning that its been around and is having a resurgence. This one is of upright habit and masses of bright pink flowers that have either a red or white eye through the summer early Autumn, Deciduous
Gypsophilia Bristol fairy. One that all that do floral work will know. This is a fabulous perennial that grows these stunning clouds of tiny blossom that are used as sprays in flower arrangements. Gypsophilia belongs to the dianthus family and love full sun and good free draining soils.
Polemonium is a perennial for a shaded garden
Polemonium Stairway to Heaven. Variegated foliage which always looks good in dapple light. Jacob's Ladder. 'Ladders' of fern like foliage in attractive shades of green and cream quickly emerge in spring and form a robust clump. Pretty light blue flowers stand above the foliage in summer. Any easy to grow and delightful perennial that will light up a shady corner.
Caryopteris. Dark knight, Pavillion blue, pink and
white. A modest drought resistant shrub that has the most amazing flowers along its stems. This one is a fave with the bees and butterflies. A good shrub for a sunny position.
25% off
Hostas 25 % off all stock. We have grown most of these and they are now quite chunky crowns being in their second year. Good value for mass planting in those dappled light areas and contrast with
liriopes and the like.
Avocados...25% off. a good time now to get these in and set up before the cooler months. Great plants and 4 cultivars to choose from.
So we don't have to move them $10 off Prunus Awanui L/W trees
Prunus Awanui. A great flowering cherry and just perfect as a medium size tree. These are the specimen trees down the lane-way in the garden centre and look pretty amazing in flower. Excellent as a avenue tree, as a stand alone tree or as a cluster or grouping.
Garden centre news
The new dispatch shed is all up and ready for the iron and fingers crossed that will be next week. We were hoping to be in there by the end of Feb, but it's looking more mid-March. The front entrance has now both sides open which makes it much safer to arrive here and hopefully the new security gate won't be that far away. The new area for the trees will be completed in its setup today and we just now need some fine weather to get the painting done before we can move the trees.
Can't believe that it's raining again but hey as we all know we can't control the weather but rather hopefully manage our way around it. One thing I keep saying is that it's still perfect weather for planting. LOL well for the plants that is.
What ever the plans for the weekend have a good one.
Cheers from Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team
