Damp and Hairy again

Morning all,
Feeling the chill a bit now. We've had a few frosts over the last week or so and it's made quite a difference to the overall feel of the season. I know I'm a bit early on sending this list out but it now feels about right for a bracing British seaside holiday and that is what is about to happen as we slip away for a few days R & R with a few friends. House and nursery all set up with sitters and plenty of cover should anyone need an emergency order or two so I'm sure you won't miss me.
The build up to a few days off makes you feel even more like you need a break, and as happens every year something always breaks down just as you are getting set to go. It usually revolves around some sort of plumbing issue so adds that extra frisson of damp messiness to go with it. This time it was the downstairs loo which refused to flush properly. After initial investigation and some fiddling about with the ball-cock to increase the water level a bit, I discovered a stripped thread on the adjuster so left it bodged and still not flushing. Someone, who will remain nameless, then had a look at it and managed to break the whole thing off, so it was off to the shops for new bits all round. Bought a new main siphon and ball-cock both of which claimed to be a 15 minute fix, 5 hours later we had a working loo with only a small drip (not me). Another two days saw the drip eventually sealed to the relief of all involved. Now we can relax.
Anyway back to real life of sorts, on the nursery. I have been putting together a few plant orders for next season, looking for a few new lines to add onto our lists, hopefully boosting everyone's sales even further. I will put the finishing touches to the new catalogue on my return so you should get an idea of the new offerings then. There will also be a bit more info in there about the new non-plastic waterproofed colour pot labels. I have just placed the detailed order on those, so no stopping us now. I've a feeling there may be a bit of press coverage by Floramedia about the labels when they get delivered to us in the New Year as this is another first for outdoor plant promotion. Fame at last.
Talking of fame, I have to pop into Winchester Guildhall soon to meet the mayor and pick up our Green Impact award for 2018, which should be their Gold Award if my sums are correct. We ticked a lot of their sustainable boxes this year and the recent audit went really well, so fingers crossed for good news and a splash in the Hampshire Chronicle.
Must go, off in an hour or two and haven't actually packed yet, but how long does it take to pack shorts and tee shirt?
Have fun.

Availability highlights
Helleborus orientalis in a variety of colours are now well under way, for that winter interest and early exotic colour. Stonking bushy plants which are from a strain (Crown series) that has a high percentage of first season flowering. I hardly dare mention it, but there are a few odd plants threatening to flower already. I haven't put them on the list as being in bud as there aren't
that many yet.
Viola Konigin Charlotte traditionally flowers in the spring with its deep violet colour and stunning scent, but we find it does produce a pretty smattering in the autumn too. Looking and smelling great. although they do need a little warmth in the air to get the scent going.
The late summer flowering Anemones are still looking good in many gardens if not too battered by the recent cold winds, and we have some looking strong.
Compact and chunky Leucathemum Banana Creme with lovely bud showing and the odd splash of delightful pale yellow. The massively popular Erigeron karvinskianus Stallone is still sprouting plenty of flower buds, full of promise and dainty colours. If the weather is not too harsh we have had these still flowering at Christmas before now.
Foliage starts to be of interest at this time of year and there are some good shows of colour from the Carex Evergold, Ajuga, Heuchera, Lamium and Euphorbia.

WOODEN BOX RETURNS
We have visited most sites now and our van trips have dropped away, so we won't be coming by quite as often, however please do keep in touch and let us know if you have a batch to go and we will try and get round to you at some point.

Have a good week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.