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Friday 20th March, 2020

Hi

All of a sudden, the world as we know it has changed. The government has closed our borders, made rules around social gathering and we are learning to socially distance ourselves for the better good of the community.  As a small business owner my heart goes out to all who are being affected to any extent by this current state of affairs. I have no doubt that we will all, in some way, be affected, whether through direct contact or from the restrictions being placed on us by our community responses. Hopefully we can weather this storm and grow stronger as a community. It certainly is a learning curve trying to maintain social distance where previously a handshake or hug on greeting was the norm, now it's to be avoided, then there's the weekly shop that goes awry 'cause there's so little left on the local supermarket shelves to buy, yes, I guess 2020 will be a year we won't forget.
I do think, here in Aotearoa, we are fortunate in that we have so much outside space. Many of us live rurally, we have many beautiful parks and reserves to spend time in, albeit semi detached. Many of us have created wonderful outdoor spaces at our homes, even in this generation of smaller sections, that we can enjoy, unlike many of the more populated countries being affected. I would certainly use the time to good extent in my garden and around home should I have the need to stay home.  

Can you tell a Sasanqua from a Japonica?? They've just arrived in store too!!
We are talking Camellias and why?  Because the new seasons stock has just arrived in the garden centre this week but can you tell a Sasanqua from a Japonica or even a Reticulata? First up, let just say that, Sasanqua is a species of Camellia as is Japonica and Reticulata.
Now that it's Autumn, if your Camellia is in flower it could well be one of the Sasanqua species. I need to clarify here because we often get asked for Camellia Sasanqua and I ask which one as there are many different cultivars. I think part of the problem is there is a Camellia sasanqua cultivar called Setsugekka which is quite a mouthful when you say its full name. So what sets sasanquas apart? Well, they are usually the first of the Camellias to flower and that's from now and into the Autumn whereas Japonicas tend to flower near the end of Winter and on the way into spring.
Sasanquas typically have smaller leaves, smaller flowers and a more rangy habit than their counterparts the Japonicas. Japonica Camellias have quite a chunky leaf and form for that matter and have those larger more old fashioned flowers many with a formal/classical bloom.
Then there are the reticulatas, which are positively the up size of all the camellias, with large, more ribbed leaves with a bigger stem space between the leaves and ginormous flowers. 
Know that I am generalising here because as we all know, with living things, its pretty hard to be categorical and I haven't even touched on other minority species and specie hybrids.
Roasted Beet salad 
It would seem that many of the more modern generation than I, subscribe to My Food Bag or some similar meal delivery service. Such a great idea to provide a variety of fresh vege, different and simple meals, for today's working generation. Dinner for me, however, is looking to the garden and thinking... I have this and that... and this tends to, LOL does, dictate what I prepare. The other night I had guests for dinner and, well, I have an abundance of beetroot, eggplant some beans and sprouting broccoli so what was on the menu but Roasted beetroot and shallot salad with Moussaka were what came to mind. Beans and brocc... the beet salad was a bit of guess work and I googled a recipe for the Moussaka as I have never made this before.
Moussaka seems to me to be a Greek version of lasagne with the pasta subbed for aubergine, so I used my usual lasagne recipe, as you do. Layered with prepared roasted slices of eggplant and topped with a cheesy creamy sauce. It just so happens that one of our guests is originally from Cyprus, here's me thinking, what a great idea to offer a dish that he would be familiar with. Well he mentioned potato and suggested that next time I should ask the Greek how to make it!.. so now I have him hunting for me, a more authentic recipe to give a go, did I mention he was also vegetarian. 
If I do say so myself but the roast beet salad was yummo,, and I'm not a fan of beetroot other than roasted... half a dozen medium sized beetroot washed, peeled and cut into chunks along with a mass of peeled, whole shallots of a similar size.  Elephant garlic chopped into largish pieces. Mediterranean herbs of rosemary Chef's Choice, Oregano, and Thyme, slosh in some olive oil, balsamic reduction, salt and pepper and roast off until tender... when quite cool but still warm, I added broken feta, zest of an orange and finely chopped green of spring onions... voila serve warmish.
On the note of excess vege, there was also an abundance I had of zucchinni, eggplant, peppers and even tomatoes and so it was several batches of Rataouille to be made. I couldn't bear to waste them I've cooked them down and have frozen around 30 containers of it so there is plenty of food waiting in the freezer and I'm good for self containment, although it might be a tad monotonous if that's all I prepare.

Never had these before
Lagerstroemia Crimson Red... If you love crepe myrtles then you are going enjoy having this new lagerstroemia variety with stunning almost black foliage with a rich red contrast flower that look gorgeous together.  Grows into a small handsome tree with the usual summer flowers. I'm going to have to plant one to see if it has that sexy satin smooth bark that is typical of these... and will wait to see what Autumn colour the foliage will go.
Buddleias or butterfly bush is something else that we haven't had for years and in fact we haven't had these varieties before.. we often get asked for them as they do have quite pretty flowers which attract the butterflies. These are largish shrubs of around two metres. 
Buddleia Lochinch A must if you want to attract butterflies to the garden. It has grey-green foliage and scented violet-blue flowers in Summer through Autumn, arching stems and is hardy and suited to most soils. Vigorous growing, trim hard after flowering to encourage repeat flowering.
Buddleia Leyana  A shrub with slightly slender spikes of deep violet flowers from mid Summer through Autumn. Flowering on new growth, prune late winter to early spring. Lasting a long time flowering on the shrub it also last a long time as a cut flower.
Just arrived 
Buxus sempervirens is the original English Box plant and is the most often used variety for making large topiaries. We have just bought in some Buxus semperviren standards which have lovely, well developed heads.
Avocado plants are still available, we only have about 20 left of Hass and Reed and next lot won't be available until around Oct/Nov so if you don't want to wait you'll need to get them now.
Passionfruit Panama Gold and Panama red. There has been a sever shortage of these stopping us supplying all our orders but our grower has come up with the goods and we now have a good number available. Gorgeous big plants that are cutting grown. Our grower was in Aus. a while ago and saw these and was taken by their vigour and fruit production so bought in some seed and has managed to grow them on and now has enough material to make them available to us. These plants produce a high quality fruit which tend to be bigger and flavour filled and their skin doesn't tend to go wrinkly like the black passionfruit we all know. Harvested in late autumn to early winter, not bad for an Aussie import.
Xeronema callisetmon Poor Knights Lily.. haven't had these for ages as they just haven't been available but we have a good amount available now. Poor Knights lily is a stunning plant and well worth growing. A very slow growing plant with fans of flax-like leaves up to 1m high. It's striking red flowers occur on tall stems in Spring but it takes up to 15 years to flower. When root-bound  it will flower more quickly and prolifically.
Sale is on, lots still to choose from... 25% off selected lines 
Roses are still looking great as they have been well watered, fed, sprayed and deadheaded. All roses are included... hybrid tea and floribunda, bushes, climbers, patio standards, 80cm standards and even the 1.8m weeping roses and 1.5m pillar roses. There is heaps of choice still... users tip though if you want to see just what we have in stock then tick the little box that says "Show in stock items first " and then update.
Plums, Apple and Pears... again these are at the end of their season, all well rooted, healthy and ready for planting. They have been well cared for with a regular spray, feeding and watering programme. Now is the perfect time to be looking at getting them in the ground... natures planting season.Still available are Black Doris and Luisa plums and great buying at 25% off.  There are plenty of apple and pear varieties there too... If the ones you want aren't available then you can order incoming stock online.
Rhododendrons available are really well grown plants, lots of choice and this includes selections of Vireyas and Azaleas as well.
We still have some of last seasons Camellias available on discounted rates but they are no longer in stock so can only be purchased in store. Our new season stock is here so these need to go and have been priced accordingly. They are all good plants, well grown and ready for planting.
Even though many of us may have had holiday and travel plans put on hold, not mentioning names, and those social engagements that have had to be put on the back burner, still not mentioning names... but lets look at enjoying more time in and around our homes and gardens. Get inspired, shop online and have your plants delivered to your door and stay safe, healthy and happy.
Keep positive, look ahead and have an awesome weekend, if you need a cuddle then I'm sure there's possibly a cute, obliging moggie or hound somewhere in the vicinity. 
Cheers Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.

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2020 Newsletters...

Fabulous Febuary (21st February, 2020)

Watering Woes (28th February, 2020)

Orchard or Orchard (6th March, 2020)

Autumn sale time (13th March, 2020)

..... New Season's Camellias

Vege Plants (27th March, 2020)

Something to try (4th April, 2020)

Lockdown dinner for my bubble (12th April, 2020)

Feijoas in abundance 1 (18th April, 2020)

Alert level 3 (25th April, 2020)

Drive through (9th May, 2020)

New Rules (15th May, 2020)

Impending roses (29th May, 2020)

Impending roses (29th May, 2020)

winter programme (6th June, 2020)

almost done (20th June, 2020)

Pruning Tech (3rd July, 2020)

In the Clouds (10th July, 2020)

Crystal ball and mags (24th July, 2020)

Chicken curry (14th August, 2020)

Big is Best (21st August, 2020)

Mouse tail plants coming (28th August, 2020)

Fluff n pretties (4th September, 2020)

Hybrid Clematis take 2 (18th September, 2020)

Those dry Places (25th September, 2020)

Water gardens (2nd October, 2020)

Balloon over Wairere (10th October, 2020)

Chilly Thursday 15/10 (16th October, 2020)

Spring has sprung (23rd October, 2020)

Kumara time (31st October, 2020)

Awesome Rain (12th November, 2020)

A pink selection of roses (16th November, 2020)

Hibiscus (22nd November, 2020)

Unexpected fruit (28th November, 2020)

Its time (5th December, 2020)

Hostas Again (12th December, 2020)

Its a wrap (19th December, 2020)



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