Tuesday 27th March, 2018
Hi
We have always managed to keep the main part of our garden intact and looking good over the years but further out towards the trees hasn't had quite the same input. Now its fair to say that there there have been a few weed trees aka pussy willows growing there, that kind of created a back drop but insidiously seemed to increase in numbers and impact over the years. Suddenly it was OMG we are slowly being taken over by this very promiscuous form of willow tree.
Last week, its days became numbered and they have all had the chop and become mulch for this now large area and new space for replanting was created. Wahoo, we have more garden back and its seriously good weather for planting.
The willows had also surrounded and all but taken over the island and its surrounding body of water in the swampy area of our garden and had become completely overgrown but thanks to the hard-out efforts of the team is now quite the feature again.
Its looks so good all gone. You can now actually see the Kahikatea trees that Harry and I planted some 28 years ago. They are not huge yet but certainly look part of the natural scenery. The borrowed landscape as in the neighbours property looks amazing as we can now look out across the natural part of the garden to the stand of white pines out the back.
There was still more of this pesky tree at the neighbours growing in the swampy piece that feeds our wetland and I was keen to complete the whole picture. A quick phone call to those next door and down the remaining pussy willows have come down, extending yet again the borrowed view.
If you had to choose a time to plant it would be now ... in the Autumn because the ground is still so warm and usually there is lots of rain around to keep the ground moist ... other than that dry spell in January, we have had plenty of precipitation this year. Do it now, get the garden up to scratch and do any replanting while nature looks after the watering and is providing the warmth. New projects like
hedges, tree planting or even a new garden, now is the time to be doing the job.
Follow this link to our Facebook page and see the work that the guys have been doing.
Click hereSome pics of the recently trimmed hedges in the main garden.
Click hereShade, Dappled light, Semi shade is a preference for those that don't enjoy all day sun
It's often said that certain plants like to be in the shade but what is shade - dappled light or semi shade or even too much shade. I may be assuming here but for many a shady site is usually too extreme and most positions could be deemed dappled light / semi shade if they don't get all day sun.
I have to note here that it also depends on the plant and to what level of shade that they can cope with - let's not forget that we are dealing with something living and its ability to cope or survive but perhaps just not grow to full potential. For example a sun plant like
Agapanthus will definitely grow in quite shady positions but be more stretched and not as dense as it could be.
Shady positions can often not be just giant umbrellas from the sun like large trees but often have really poor dry soil conditions underneath which won't suit any plants let alone ones that do like protection from the sun. Good examples here are
Hostas and
Ferns that do like protection from the sun rays but also need moisture to do well.
Dont forget that Hostas are winter dormant and look planted next to evergreens like Liriopes and Winter roses.Then there is the other extreme where shady is really too dark to grow most plants and what plants like to grow with no sun ... well there are a few but you have to pick the plant to suit the spot.
In my head shade is under trees, the east and south side of buildings and structures, the passing shade of trees and buildings or where your plantings get some respite from the sun during the day. Shade is not the only factor to be taken into account but also moisture, soil fertility and the ability of the chosen plants to cope.
Camellias, whilst on the whole will cope with all day sun probably prefer to be in the passing shade at some point in their day or on the south side of the fence but lets not forget that they probably like more light than not. I have seen them grow in some quite dark positions but their habit is more open and stretched and not as dense as they would be with more light.
I love
Camellias as they come in every shape size and form, a bit like people really and suit a multitude of uses. The sasanquas start to flower in the Autumn and other hybrids and species will keep the flowering season going right through and into the spring.
I am going to generalise now but
Sasanqua Camellias tend to have smaller leaves than most of the other cousin species and also smaller flowers. Often their growth habit is more sprawling and they will grow quite happily over time into quite large shrubs. Many of the sasanquas have fragrant flower that have a kind of musky masculine scent for the want of a better description and these herald in the Autumn.
Typically
Sasanqua Camellia are used for creating hedges as they are so hardy but also make for equally fine topiary standards or just a decent shrub in the garden. The camellia season is about to start next week
We need to make space, discounts on
Trees, Fruit trees and
RosesWe need to make some space in the nursery to make way for all the new seasons
Trees,
Camellias, Azaleas, Lily of the Valley, and other shrubs which will be all be on here in soon.
Roses 30% off all remaining stock
Trees mixed trees includes flowering cherries, birches and others from $20
Claret ash 30% off awesome claret coloured autumn foliage
Medlars 50% off. For the tree buff, pretty single flowers in spring followed by guava shaped fruits - looks cool in fruit.
Poliothyrsis 50% off. Handsome tree with fragrant ivory white flowers in late summer
Some of these trees are too big to transport so come on out to the nursery with your trailer
Easter is early this year and isn't that far away.
Good Friday 30th March we will be closed but will be open as normal 8.30am to 5.00pm the remainder of the weekend. Saturday Sunday and Monday inclusive
ANZAC Day - Wednesday 25th April we will be closed in the morning opening from 1pm to 5pm
Gardenia Professor Pucci standards these were hugely popular and we managed to get a few more so if you are keen then be in quick.
Got an abundance of zucchini, eggplant, capsicums or tomatoes? ... then getting chopping and make ratatouille. I made some last night by sauteing off a whole lot of onions, roughly chopped a whole lot of those summer veg, added some of last years tomatoes paste, some elephant garlic, salt and pepper and cooked it off for and hour or so and voila a vegie stew. Always good and wholesome. Serve it up with some mashed Kumara or sort it with some polenta. Just a thought ...
It was pretty cool in the morning a couple of days ago and it's so dark now, though when daylight savings ends Sunday the 1st April, it will be lighter in the mornings again. That will please the farmers and the like that get up early, which means that we are truly into the Autumn and about to lose our longer evenings.
Have a great weekend.
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag.
