Greetings!
Now fully recovered from Ellerslie International Flower Show and the over indulgence of Easter, we are preparing ourselves and of course the nursery for winter.
We have also been a bit behind the eight ball last month hence our April newsletter was missed! We have therefore decided we should give away two plants this month to make up for our oversight.
Our plant of the month is a firm favourite in a number of landscaping plans, Astelia 'Silver Spear'. Also looking especially fab at the nursery, an oldie but a goodie Choisya ternata (also known as Mexican Orange Blossom) and the deep dark colouring of Phormium 'Dark Delight'. We have three new releases to our range - Nothofagus fusca (Red Beech), Sophora microphylla (Kowhai) and Lophomyrtus 'Red Dragon' so keep a look out for these at your local garden centre. | |
Plant Of The Month
Astelia 'Silver Spear' - The Wow Factor
This plant is definitely one of our personal favourites. In a class of its own with its silvery sword-like leaves, Astelia 'Silver Spear' is a wonderful addition to any garden and it definitely looks impressive in our garden at home, nestled amongst our Euphorbia 'Keas' and Viburnum 'davidiis'. Originating from the Chatham Islands, this little beauty has become one of New Zealand's most popular structured plants. You could be forgiven for thinking that its leaves have been accidently sprayed with metallic silver paint. So stunning is its colouring that it will enliven even the darkest corner. Whilst its illuminating colour is a standout feature, its dominant leaf shape acts as a wonderful contrast to differing foliage plants. Looking great as a pot speciman at the front door to courtyard planting or as a general garden plant, Astelia 'Silver Spear' will add a shimmer of interest to any planting plan. The three photographs below are testimony to this!
Thriving on neglect and inattention will give you an indication of Astelia 'Silver Spear' level of tolerance. It is happiest in full sun, light shade and except for the occasional removal of any older brown leaves this is one plant happy to be left alone. |
What's happening at the Nursery!
With winter fast approaching, now is the time to get ready for the colder weather and as this newsletter is being written it is pouring outside and we have the heaters on high!
As the sales at garden centres slow down, this is the time to prioritize what needs winter shelter and it gives us a chance at the nursery, to plan for spring. Planning is crucial as most of our plants spend the first two years of their life at the nursery before reaching your local garden centre. Therefore plants recently potted will not be available for sale until 2011 (I find that quite a scary thought).
Part of our winter preparation is to utilize all covered space at the nursery and maximise the covered tunnels capacity. We know what winters well and what doesn't, although we have been caught out on the odd occasion later in the season by a harsh frost. It also gives us a chance to give the nursery a good old tidy up! Trees are trimmed, water races are cleaned, sheds are tidied and our label room (which is a hive of activity in spring and summer) is re-organised back into alphabetical order!
In planning for spring, now is the time we put together our spring catalogue and present it your to local garden centre. This gives them a chance to see new releases and future advertising. We will also spend time on the www.gardeningsolutionz.co.nz website where we will be updating it with new images and planting ideas. I must admit it is one of the fun parts of my job where I can let my creative juices flow!
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Got A Gap In Your Garden?
 Then try our Lophomyrtus 'Red Dragon', new to Gardening Solutionz this autumn - the perfect Gapfiller Solutionz. This very hardy New Zealand favourite has small oval leaves and its new growth is a brilliant red which darkens to blackish red through winter making it a stunning contrast colour to those dreary winter gardens. With its dense habit and fine foliage, this native is superb in most garden situations as a showy low hedge, border, background or screening plant or it is excellent for floral work. Its ideal situation is in full sun to part shade, in fertile, moist soils, and needs a little protection from heavy frosts in its infancy.
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Our Winners
Our NZ Gardener readers who each won a Viburnum davidii plant last month were Alison Hobern, Diane Duxbury, G Harker, Judith Parker and Trelise Penny. The winner of the Gardening Solutionz Viburnum davidii plant on our website was Yvonne Mantell from Hamilton. Congratulations to all our winners, we hope you enjoy your plants.
Don't forget we have two Astelia 'Silver Spear' plants to give away this month so remember to click on the competition section to be in with a chance.
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Next time - Grisilinea 'Broadway Mint', the perfect Hedging Solutionz, some more new releases for Gardening Solutionz and the promised article on the 'ins and outs' of our label evolution, plus more chances to win ....
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From the team at Gardening Solutionz
www.gardeningsolutionz.co.nz
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Competition!
If you would like to win an Astelia 'Silver Spear' - simply enter name and address here to go in the draw
TO WIN
(*Terms and Conditions apply) |
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Gardening
'Solutionz'
If you have any gardening questions you would like answered - please contact us. This week's question is:
Question: Hi,
I have several Indian Feather 'Passionate Blush' in front of my house. I planted these last year. Do I need to trim these back each year after winter to promote growth or do I just let nature take it's course?
Thanks Russell
Answer: Hi Russell
Thanks for your email. To keep Gaura 'Passionate Blush' nice and compact and with optimal growth, we suggest that you cut back spent flowers and trim. At the nursery we have just cut ours back in readiness for winter.
Hope that helps.
Megan Baker
www.gardeningsolutionz.co.nz
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For care of your Gardening Solutionz plants we recommend Tui garden care products. For more information click here
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