Hairy Romance

Morning all,

No time, so much to do. I know everyone is in the same boat at this time, spring springing, temperatures rising, plants growing, wallets opening and the sun making an appearance on and off. After such a long cold spring it’s a huge relief to see things take off although we will struggle to make up for the lost time earlier. Just got to get through the current manic period as it comes, which can be a challenge all round as am sure you are aware. At least it’s a positive direction which is great, if not tricky sometimes to recognise when hours are short.
Unfortunately for Caroline this rush has timed itself brilliantly for her birthday so here we are on the big day battling away trying to get it all done. At least I managed to get a card in time, just. Present to follow! Off out to a gig tonight but just the two of us, no-one else wanted to see Judie Tzuke, and quite a few had never heard of her. Back in the 80’s she was pretty popular, if any of you can remember that far back. She was our first gig together when we first met at college so it’s a bit special, perhaps better that it is just the two of us.
Lots of great Chelsea coverage this week so hopefully that combination of inspiration, nice weather and the bank holiday will keep those plants flying out of the door. Hope your weekend goes well and you can enjoy the excitement of being trendy, cool and popular. Back to the potting and label printing now. Just the 15,000 to print before Tuesday, one at a time under the pad printer, it’s what bank holidays were meant for.

Availability highlights
Incarvillea are suddenly producing flower buds, an exotic but hardy splash for the front of the border, get them quick before they are all gone. Strong purple foliage of Oxalis triangularis contrasts fantastically with delicate pale pink flowers which are just beginning to appear. Iron Cross with its dramatic darkly marked green leaves are now showing their first of many deep pink blooms. Short and very bushy, the Erigeron Sea Breeze have masses of bud about to explode, not a lot left so don’t hold back.
Our range of Dianthus are now all in bud and looking neat, with a good range to pick from. For some reason Slap and Tickle is always very popular and Romance less so! Both colours of the Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift) have masses of bud over neat green mounds of foliage. We have a rampant Ajuga selection at the moment. Great ground cover in a range of foliage colours. Black Scallop and Sugar Plum are strong new varieties and looking particularly good. Erysimum Bowles Mauve, are still looking great. They will flower the whole summer long, a great garden favourite.
Most of the Leucanthemum varieties are threatening there first buds, we have a tasteful range from pale yellow through to white’s, some with simple single flowers and some fancier doubles. We have a mini version of Alchemilla mollis for the first time this season. Alchemilla erith. Alma is a pretty but understated, compact form and has just started putting out its first spring flower stems. The first tiny buds of the short Campanula carpatica are there. It always surprises me how big the flowers get on such a neat little plant. Available in blue or white. There are some lovely fresh strong white Campanula persicifolia and Talkion White in bud again, but be quick. Bright gold foliage contrasts nicely with the deep blue flowers of Tradescantia Blue & Gold making it a popular choice. The lovely red’s Achillea Paprika and Red Velvet have produced their first flower stems and several of the dwarf Dessert Eve series are producing flower shoots. The orange Achillea Peggy Sue is also just getting started. Primula beesiana (pale purple) are just showing their flower heads among their strong rosettes of leaves. We have a lovely crop of Coreopsis Sunfire ready with buds just appearing. A bright two tone flower makes a very jolly summer display. The pretty little Foam Flower (Tiarella) are producing plenty of bud and flower now. They flower for an age. Geum Lady Stratheden are always popular and have their first buds are opening now.Fabulous crops of fresh Delphiniums, Digitalis and Lupins ready now. Chunky, fresh and full of vim and vigour. The first Astilbes are showing strong fresh growth and their flower buds are already there. Top tip; Take care to water regularly avoiding full sun and drying winds to prevent the buds drying out. In bud are the three colours of Fanal (deep red), Deutschland (white) and Europa (strong pink).
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries