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Saturday 30th September, 2023

Hi

Thanks to Cecilia for writing last weeks email for me. LOL, no secrets around here! Contrary to public opinion 60 is now the new 50... I now start counting backwards, or is it third time 21 again, or as one of my team suggested 31 again 30 years ago, but hey it's only another number. It does make you pause, however, for some reflection as I contemplate where this nursery has come from being a roadside stall some 30 plus years ago to what we see today.  
Plants were grown alongside a very small sales area in what is actually todays carpark but 3 metres down. Clean-fill made a new carpark and is now where you park currently, so the garden centre grew to the opposite side of where it is today. 
Things have changed a lot over the years, I managed to dig out the below catalogues, we used these to showcase our range before internet use was so prevalent.
Today I believe that we are now using every inch of space that we could possibly use with the completion of the new dispatch and potting shed. Though today we have just gained another 160 metres (approx) of irrigated space down below where the potting and all inwards deliveries take place. Thanks to Alex and Anita who have done an amazing job of putting it all together so that we now have a delivery space or an emergency overflow area that can be watered.
Thanks to an amazing team over all the years who keep the entire place looking fabulous from garden to plants and all the surrounds as it's a credit to all!
It would probably come as no surprise to everyone that green is definitely my favourite colour but you just have to love the Maples at this time of year... well all year really.
It's probably been said that Spring is the most stunning of all the seasons as we all wait with anticipation for the blooms and blossoms to appear and delight us. The magnolias have been strutting their stuff for some weeks now, looking magnificent with their large tulip shaped blooms in shades of pink, burgundy and whites. Mags are up there being one of my favoured spring flowers and as they slowly finish blooming, along come their classic green leaves in a fresh spring shade of green. The flowering Cherries are amongst some of the earliest spring blossoms and they continue right through the season as the different species come in to flower. Right now Awanui and or the yedoensis forms are blossoming away and then the other species and cultivars will follow. As their flowers fade, the leaves again will follow and again in that shade of green that you only see in the spring.

 
I noticed the other day that the Dogwoods of the florida species like Stokes pink and Spring song are starting to open. Theses flowers are unusual in that they seem to be joined in the centre as the bracts open behind showing their pink shades. Then at the last minute the bracts let go to open into that classic 4 petaled flat flower and I guess that the real flower in the centre is exposed.  The kousa species like National and Doubloon must be a tad later as I haven't seen these start to get going yet but I'm sure that they won't be far away. 

 
The Cercis or Judas trees are another smaller tree that are going for it right now and a good example is Avondale. The interesting thing about these flowers is that they are pea flower shaped and actually bloom along the stems which is quite unusual. Another great example that you will all know is the forest pansy with hot pink pea shaped flowers along the stems. The leaves that follow are not green but a very attractive burgundy shade.

 
This segues into the fact that not all trees are grown for their flowers but rather their highly ornamental foliage, of which we are going dive into the maples or Acers which are famous for the sexiest leaves going. It's not that they don't flower but probably one doesn't notice since the leaves, well, they are breath taking in spring. Many maples start with stunning spring tones that age to cooler or more green summer shades and then often have hot fiery Autumn tones. Shindeshojo is one that springs to mind (no pun intended) with the initial foliage being either pink red or shrimp pink followed by green summer leaves and finally fiery red Autumn tones.
I am going to add that there is nearly a maple for every position, from being in pots, in the garden or as a lawn specimen. Maples range from those that have a weeping form, small upright and topiary like, small to medium vase shaped trees to larger rounded and suitable for a shade specimen.
 
Blair is out there re-blocking these right now and gave me a list of his choices that he spied in the process, first up being a selection of small growing ones that could be suitable for a pot or just in the garden. Fjellheim could be coined as a dwarf Sango Kaku and its claim to fame are the bright red bare stems in the winter. Spring foliage is green. I have this one in a pot at home and enjoy its bright red stems in the winter.

 
Acer Viridis is a weeping dissectum with green foliage that cascades over, looking very special in the spring as the leaves emerge. Dissectum meaning very finely dissected leaves in a hand like form. Weeping maples make for great subjects in barrel sized pots or beside ponds and water or anywhere that you want to draw your eye downwards. Mikawa Yatsubusa is one of my absolute faves on the dwarf front with its very tightly held bright green leaves and just the form that this beauty has.
Beni Komachi is another dwarf but with upright dissected bright red foliage. The translation of the name of this Japanese Maple is "The red beautiful girl". That says it all really, doesn't it? A dwarf form with red dissected foliage eventually turning green with purple tones. Red autumn tones. 

 
Flamingo and Kellys gold are both Negundo types, usually quickly growing to form a medium sized tree. There are a few ornamental Negundos and other than their fancy foliage these do have long tassel like flowers on bare branches in the spring. Kellys gold has attractive bright gold leaves first thing in the spring that age to a summer lime gold green. Flamingo has pink and while foliage in spring that ages to green and white.
Burgundy Lace is perfect for those looking for deep burgundy foliage all season and with a classic dissected maple leaf. Red emperor, another red so to make the most of this lovely Maple plant where the light will show through the deeply dissected burgundy foliage, stunning! But wait there's more when the leaves turn a deep red in autumn.

 
Osakazuki is a very special upright form of Maple. The leaves have seven lobes and start off a soft shade of green in spring gradually deepening to a more traditional green. The wow factor kicks in during autumn with deep shades of red and scarlet prior to leaf fall.
Koto no ito fascinates me with its very spidery delicate foliage with other broader leaves mixed in with them that dance in the breeze. Common name is Harp strings and its easy to imagine why. Delicate green in summer, hardens off to green and orange in the Autumn. 
Shidava Gold is another smaller growing maple with lime green leaves in the spring that change to yellow in the Autumn.
Senkaki or Sango kaku is a classic palmatum (which means hand-like) acer and this one has bright red stems in the winter. Green leaves spring and summer going golden yellow in the Autumn.
I did take this pic to show how beautiful the maples are looking with all the new and brightly coloured foliage happening but perhaps it doesn't do them justice and it may be better to call out and see them in leaf in person.
Winter roses  all at 25% off
Winter roses make for good fillers in the garden especially when mass planted for great effect. They do like a position with dappled light and if you want to cover the ground to exclude weeds then plant at around 60 to 70 cm spacings. I did have a quick check and there are still some great selections to have. click the link to be taken to all of the Winter roses.  With some there are only small quantities, so have a second choice up your sleeve.
Helleborus Double White and Double dark Red. Mass plant a group of the whites or reds and the show will be spectacular.
Helleborus Ice N Roses Rose. From the Ice N Roses collection, Ice N Roses Rose hellebore will flower tirelessly through winter and well into spring producing gorgeous rose pink, outward facing blooms, held above the leaf. 
Helleborus Conny. Conny is a clump forming, evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with leathery, deeply lobed, dark green leaves. Upright stems bearing bowl shaped, white flowers heavily spotted with maroon will colour.

 
Peonies coming up to flower
Many of the new seasons potted peonies are coming up to flower. I know that Ang got these in as there are some newbies that we haven't had before. It's true that they do like a cooler spot in the garden to flower and will certainly do well where it's really cold. Otherwise, some ice cubes in the winter may do the trick or just find the coldest spot in your garden. Click the link to view them all.
Peony Kelways Glorious, Garden Peony. Masses of rich, fragrant, double white flowers with a creamy yellow centre. Leaves are dark green and really highlight that many flowers that will grow up and above. Beautiful for a bride's bouquet.
Peony Bouquet Perfect. A neat compact plant that bears plentiful giant, pink blooms in mid-season spring. Red-tipped stamens with attractive green foliage and a delicate fragrance all add to the appeal of these anemone-type peonies. 
Peony Bartzella. This is a special variety with very large, bright yellow, double bloomed flowers. They come with a slight red centre that stands above the lush, dark green deeply dissected foliage.

 
Spuds, Yams and Asparagus
I love growing my own veges and it's been pretty exciting this year to be picking my own asparagus. I did have to fence it off from the rabbits and put down some slug bait, but the bottom line is that I am picking enough spears for dinner for the two of us each night. Next year will be even better as the later plants that I planted will be away and flourishing, especially as I will make a concerted effort to heap lots of compost and fertiliser at them. We still have some plants available in the nursery.
Asparagus Pacific Challenger. Bred in NZ, Pacific Challenger produces an all green spear. Early to mid-season variety. Easy to grow but they do need a dedicated sunny spot with good drainage to mature and multiply. These are the biggest plants 5 crowns $19.99. Otherwise we have Asparagus Pacific Purple Pkt of 5 at $14.99.
Yam Inca Gold need a spot in the garden that you can leave for a long growing season. Inca Gold is a new variety bred for New Zealand conditions. It has a yellow flesh and grows up to 10cm long and 3cm thick. It has a lovely flavour and is a high yielder.

 
Spuds.. perfect time to get these in especially some main crop varieties ... Still plenty of choice to get in
Agria, Main Crop.  A top 'spud' with large oval tubers, creamy skin, and yellow flesh. Suitable for boiling, mashing, baking and makes the best chips. A high yielding floury potato that keeps well. Matures in approximately 90-100 days.  A top potato for the true potato lover.
Nadine, 2nd Early.  Round tubers with white skin and white flesh. This waxy potato is good for boiling, potato salads, casseroles and soups. Matures in approximately 90-100 days.
Potato Purple Heart, 2nd Early. A relatively new potato that was bred to combine the best of 'Maori' potatoes and 'European' potatoes. The result is a large potato with deep purple skin and purple flesh that is high in anti-oxidants. Quite different and delicious with a somewhat floury texture.

 
It's hard not to go on about the weather but... really. School holidays again and the first week is really shabby. We were just starting to dry out and then whammo, more rain and I know that last weekend we got 70mls plus and then in a few days later another 40 mls was in the rain gauge. The ground must be really saturated as each time the wetland paddocks go under water.
I really need to get into the garden and I must admit it's not quite the incentive when the ground is still so wet and a shower seems to come across every 5 mins. On another note, nothing in the garden centre needs to be watered and everything is growing at a rate of knots. In fact, the whole place looks fab, roses look amazing and there are even a few rogue flowers appearing though the main flush is still at least a week away if not two. All the trees are starting to leaf and so its all go. Spacing is becoming our next project. 
It's the weekend again so hopefully the weather will be nice. Whatever you are up to, have a great weekend!
Cheers Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team.

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