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Gardening Solutionz Club Newsletter
August 2008


Greetings!

Where has the sun gone?  Here at Gardening Solutionz, August is always the month for Spring preparation.  All the planning has been done, labels are on their way and the advertising has been booked; all we need is some sunshine and some growth.  Remember to watch this space next month for the unveiling of our new releases. 
Plant Of The MonthHebe Emerald Gem
 
Hebe 'Emerald Gem'

This is one tough little number that appears time and time again in landscape plans as a proven winner.  With more species than any other genus of New Zealand plants, hebes are known for their adaptable and uncomplaining nature.  Our pick this month, Hebe 'Emerald Gem' forms naturally into a ball; its almost cushion like appearance looks closely clipped - without any effort on the gardener's behalf.  When its crisp green foliage is covered with dainty clusters of white flowers in summer it looks like a pin cushion. 
 
Planted en masse or singularly this is one hebe that is sure to please.  At just 30 cm high, Hebe 'Emerald Gem' is a great contrast with groundcovers and succulents.  In a native planting plan, its mounding form will provide interest.  For a bit of pizzazz, try planting it beside bold foliage accent plants such as the brillant Libertia 'Taupo Blaze' or Phormium 'Jester' and 'Yellow Wave'.  If stones are your thing, then try planting Hebe ' Emerald Gem' alongside the low growing bright green Scleranthus biflorus with a light coloured gravel or stone chips covering the soil.  
 
This 'Structured' Solutionz is available now in garden centres.  For more information on Hebe 'Emerald Gem' and planting ideas click here.
What's Happening At The Nursery!
 
Like all good things in life, without a healthy start, you'll always struggle.  Several years ago I decided we needed a very good propagation facility where we could produce 95% of our own plant material.  We currently run five heat beds, have cooler and extractor fans for climate control and automatic water which is run from software; all packed into approx 540 square metres of propagation house.  We have five very capable ladies working full time processing cuttings and seedlings, who work off a production schedule with some plant material being produced as far out as the year 2010 already.  We produce cuttings from our existing plant material, pack them into trays of peat/pumice media leaving them on heat beds for two weeks up to two months, depending on the plant.  It is essential we use consistent and healthy plant material in order to achieve optimum results therefore producing the big healthy vibrant plants we are known for.

Claire watering         Propagation girls        Propagation table  
Out And About

Some time ago we were asked to help with a Chatham Island re-vegetation project.  Working with the Moriori we were asked to come out to the Chatham's and pay a visit.  Departing from Wellington airport, we boarded Air Chatham's.  My first impression was that of an ex war plane with square windows.  It took an hour forty flight time and surprisingly I had to reset my watch three quarters of an hour forward.  When greeted at the airport, it took less than an hour to learn our hostess on the plane was now serving jugs at the pub.  After meeting everyone on the island at the pub, the next day we explored the Nikau palms reserve, drove 50 kms to Kaingaroa, a Chatham's fishing village and at the most northern part.  The water was so blue and the beach sand so white that if you put palm trees on it you'd swear you were in Fiji.  I must say I found the landscape uniquely breathtaking with its many small lakes, weathered trees, and at times barren terrain.  The hospitality was unconditional with an endless supply of paua, blue code and crayfish being available.  Given an opportunity to visit - it is a "must see" intreprid journey.
 
 
Barren beach         Astelia and Ligularia         Nikau Palm
                     
We Are Finalists!
 
Champion Canterbury Finalist
The Champion Canterbury Awards, now in their fifth year, recognise enterprise, innnovation, sustainability and excellence in the Canterbury Region.  We are honoured to make the grade as a finalist for the 2008 Awards.  For more information take a look at championcanterbury.org.nz.
Winner From Our Previous Newsletter

Hebe emerald gem
The winner from last months newsletter was Janet McKibbin from Glen Eden who won a Gardening Solutionz Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'.  Our NZ Gardener readers who also won a Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' last month, were Carolyn Hamilton, Dianne Robson, M Hammond, Maureen Nixon and R Caswell. Remember to click on the competition section of this newsletter.  It could be you winning a Hebe 'Emerald Gem' this month.
Next time - its all about Libertia 'Taupo Blaze', some new releases and take a look at how we pot our plants (we promise you won't get your hands dirty!), plus the chance to win some great Tui/Gardening Solutionz product for your garden.

From the team at Gardening Solutionz
www.gardeningsolutionz.co.nz

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In This Issue
Plant Of The Month
What's Happening At The Nursery!
Out And About
We Are Finalists!
Our Winners
 Competition!

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If you would like to win a Gardening Solutionz Hebe 'Emerald Gem' enter here to go in the draw
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Gardening
'Solutionz'

Cordyline Peko

If you have any gardening questions you would like answered - please contact us.  This weeks question is:

Question: I have a plant labelled Cordyline Indivisa Peko.  I live in London and the plant came from Holland, but I am unable to find out any information from my local supplier.  It has the recognisable features of the peko (wide lime green leaves with pink stripe at the base underneath) but it is growing very fast - currently 5 ft high from practically ground level in less than two years.  Can you tell me if the roots are very aggressive and likely to damage a nearby wall?  If so, how long would it be safe to leave it in the ground? Thank you  Patricia

Answer:  Hi Patricia.
It sounds like you have in fact purchased a Cordyline Australis Peko.  It must have been labelled incorrectly - Cordyline Indivisa is a Mt Cabbege Tree with different colouring from what you have described.  They have named the wrong species.  Coryline Peko, a hybrid is happy in pots and containers and as it matures it will develop a bare trunk, growing up to 3 metres tall.  Its roots are not know to be too evasive (it in fact has a tap root).  As we are not sure how far from the wall yours is planted, but as long as it is perhaps not right up against the wall, it should be ok.
From the team at gardeningsolutionz.co.nz
Tui Products
 
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For care of your Gardening Solutionz plants we recommend Tui garden care products.  For more information click here