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Saturday 1st May, 2021

Hi

What's in a Name...
What an awesome response from the last newsletter. Thanks to everyone that wrote in about their tips and tricks with the Autumnal inward invasion of those furry footed rodents. The most important point mentioned is that the bait blocks should be anchored so that the mice and rats don't just run off with them and store them. I think it goes without saying that the use of any pesticide needs to be used responsibly and either in stations or out of the way of any children, pets and so on.
Heaths, Heathers, Ericas,  Blueberrys,  lily of the valley shrubs, and more are all Ericaceae
Families in the plant world are created based on flower structure or shape and I reckon that the Erica family is a pretty easy one to guess at who belongs or doesn't. I'm sure that we all know what a classic Erica or Heather flower looks like, the family name is Ericaceae, and the strawberry tree belongs to this family. It's flowers are white and typical bell shaped with a small opening at the end.
Strawberry tree, yes that really is it's common name, likely due to the strawberry like fruit, and from Virginia I have learnt these fruit are also edible, though I got the impression they didn't have the wow factor in flavour. Next time a I see a strawberry tree with fruit I am going to taste one. In fact on Google I see a picture of a crumble cake but apparently more used in jams, marmalades, yoghurts and alcoholic beverages. Apparently the over ripe, fermented fruit can make you a little intoxicated, yet another great reason to try them.


It's Latin name, I like us all to nail off these as well, is Arbutus unedo...  because there can be no confusion about what plant I am chatting about. I know many may think the Cornus or dogwoods, also with their strawberry like fruit, could be confused with Arbutus but in terms of their flowers they are not even similar. 
Arbutus are widespread in the Mediterranean, and in fact many different climates, which leads to the thought that these are particularly hardy trees being almost fool proof.. drought, shade and frost resistant and even salt tolerant!
We touched on Gaultherias last week as being members of this family, Rubies and Pearls and Davies White both with classic flower shapes that are followed by stunning berries.. not to mention my fav, being procumbens with bright red berries. In fact... note to self, plant some in the garden. 

Pieris or Lily of the valley shrubs are reliable, evergreen shrubs for the garden growing in most situations, though I guess, technically, one for passing shade at some point or dappled light. Many of these have bright red new foliage  that ages to green and arching stems with bell like flowers down many in white and also shades of pink.
Pieris Purity is a compact shrub to about 1m high and wide, light green foliage.  Spring brings softly fragrant, pendulous racemes of pure white flowers with a gentle fragrance. Looks good all year round.
Dorothy Wykoff has rich green summer foliage that takes on red tones in winter. Deep burgundy flower buds appear in winter and open to fragrant racemes of white bells tinged with pink. Nice compact habit 1x1m
Mountain Fire has gorgeous glossy green foliage with fiery, crimson new shoots in spring. Large clusters of fragrant, pure white, bell like flowers hang in pretty racemes from early spring. Still compact at 1.5m x 1m.
Scarlet O'Hara is a popular tall, upright and slim variety, green leaves aged from bright red new foliage. Clusters of bell-shaped white, spring flowers offer a showy display. Excellent as a hedge or foundation shrub reaching 3m x 1.8m.

Cranberries, now who would have thought, that dried berry, we all love to cook with comes from a prostrate, bog growing, plant with classic Erica like flowers followed by largish red berries. I have never grown these myself, other than in pots to supply, but we have the space so maybe I'll give some plants to Alex to grow in the display garden.
Blueberries... just have to include these, as well, as more edible members of the Erica family and again a food that most enjoy when in season.
Leucothoe or Fettebush, also in the Erica family has the classic white bell/tubular flowers  and I have only known these by their genus name of Leucothe.. A useful ornamental shrub that will grow quite well in quite heavy shade  like on the south side  or under trees .. these are pretty tough and hardy .. we have a couple of these with red shaded leaves that will create contrast with other foliage types  
Leucothoe Crimson Globe has red to bronze winter colouring with racemes of white flowers and Leucothoe Curly Red has crinkly, curly, glossy foliage coloured green, red and dark purple although these colours lighten in summer.
While I'm on the topic of strawberries I'd best not forget to mention that the Camarosa strawberry bundles will be available in the next few weeks so if you are wanting new seasons bare root slips then now is definitely the time to order. We are not going to offer them for long as bare root slips don't have a long shelf life so we will take orders and then pot the rest for spring. If you want bare root strawberries then make your order and we will let you know when they are in.
Garlic is in stock currently, both Printanor and Elephant. Each clove grows a new plant but only if you get them in the ground so get your orders in as we aren't getting any more this season. Plant them just deep enough to cover the clove. 
Local Events
The Steampunk Extravaganza at Woodlands could be a fun evening, especially if you like to dress up. There will be prizes for best costume, live music, Teapot races (bring your pot) and an auction. Starts at 7.30pm and held at Woodlands Estate Wisteria Room on May 29th. $79 per person entry. I went to the one at Thames last weekend and saw some incredible outfits on display, this should be well worth a visit.
Waikato Horticultural Society speaker is Sheryn Dean. Growing edibles is the topic so get down to Wintec at the Hamilton Gardens Thursday 27th May starts 7.30pm $5 entry.
You can see upcoming events on our Events page.

First month of the financial year done and dusted, last weekend of the school hols and Mothers Day on the horizon... Sunday week... now's the time to plan and book that lunch out, organise mum around for dinner or just spent time. It's unbelievable how fast the year moves on and we are starting to plan for the arrival of roses. If you are out in the nursery and see a lot of empty space then just know we are making space for all the potting which is going to start soon.. 
On that note.. if you haven't already, and want roses, then now's the time to check out the roses online and make your orders. We will text and email when they are potted and ready. 
It's the weekend again and I have weeding to do and garlic and shallots to plant, enjoy this cooler weather and the moister soil, so much easier to dig, and whatever you find yourself doing, have fun and maybe we will see you here and don't forget to say hi.
Cheers Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team

Archived by year 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |

2021 Newsletters...

We're back... Watered... Potted... Colour filled (6th February, 2021)

Plan to Plant (13th February, 2021)

Agapanthus are Underrated (20th February, 2021)

Seasons are on the Change (27th February, 2021)

Sneak preview (6th March, 2021)

Autumn sale (13th March, 2021)

Camellias in Autumn (27th March, 2021)

90mls (2nd April, 2021)

Feijoa time again (10th April, 2021)

Cabbage tree (17th April, 2021)

Rats and Mice looking for warmth (24th April, 2021)

..... Meet the Ericas

Toys (8th May, 2021)

Planning and planting this Autumn (23rd May, 2021)

Roses Check list (29th May, 2021)

Winter Roses (5th June, 2021)

What's in a Rose (12th June, 2021)

Thunderstorms (20th June, 2021)

Sticks into Roses (26th June, 2021)

The tall and short of things (2nd July, 2021)

High worked or low worked (10th July, 2021)

It all comes at once (24th July, 2021)

Is it Spring already (31st July, 2021)

Meet the Elms (7th August, 2021)

Living walls (14th August, 2021)

Level four again (20th August, 2021)

Level four again (21st August, 2021)

Click and Collect (4th September, 2021)

Acer, Maples - we are familiar with both (11th September, 2021)

Asparagus (25th September, 2021)

Toons have pink foliage (9th October, 2021)

Drive Through Garden Centre (30th October, 2021)

Level 3 step 2 (13th November, 2021)

Lockdown Hair is Real! (20th November, 2021)

Berries at Xmas (27th November, 2021)

Mock Orange (4th December, 2021)

Its a wrap from here (11th December, 2021)



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