Hairy Easter

Hi,
An earlier list this week after a special request for it. I can't promise it as early as this every week as I tend to run out of hours during the busiest weeks, but I'll try.
It's so early that I can't think of any exciting news or pearls of wisdom to impart and I'm sure as it is the pre-Easter build up period, you won't have much time to read anything anyway.
Apologies for a bit of a shortfall in the herb supply. We are hitting our 'hungry gap' with many of our over-wintered plants finishing and the fresh crops not quite there yet. A wider range will return as soon as we can coax some rampant growth into the plants. This year has seen another surge in sales thanks in part to the continuing anti-plastic vibe, which has added to the pressure. Don't get me wrong we are not complaining, but it does add to the list of things to think about in the early hours! Bring on the sunshine.
Looks like a cool week to come which isn't going to rush things on much, but the sun is due to show up for quite a while which should keep up footfall. Don't hold your breath but the forecast for the holiday weekend at the moment is warmer.
Just a quick word to say what a great job you are all doing out there in plant sales land. Long may the season continue. Have fun.

Availability highlights
The ever popular Erysimums are looking fabulous as we get into spring. All looking very smart. Colour showing on most varieties now as the first flowers begin to open. Selling through fast so don't miss out. The Shasta Daisy Leucanthemum May Queen is now elongating into bud. Lovely simple big daisy flowers always make this a popular plant, but it is on the larger size so won't hang about here long. Now the shorter double flowered variety Freak is available with the first buds showing. Very double white flowers with a slightly ruffled fluffy effect.
The compact Erodium Bishops Form are beginning to put on a show, they go on for months producing their deep pink flowers. Primula japonica Millers Crimson are back on again after a bit of a false start a couple of weeks ago when a few popped their buds up and the rest held fire. I don't have as many as I would like this year so they will not hang around long on the list. The ever-giving Salvia nemerosa varieties are all coming into or are very close to bud. Compact and attractive they will repeat flower through the summer especially after a tidying hair cut of the old flower stems. The leaf aroma is not my favourite but you can't have everything!
Although not in flower, the Hostas are mostly up and looking smart. A fab range with the leaves just beginning to unfurl. The attractive grey leaved Achillea Moonshine is producing bud now, it will be a little while before they are big enough to colour up, but they are full of promise. The popular Achillea Paprika is showing signs of the occasional flower stem but not quite enough the mark it on my list.
Campanula glomerata Superba and pers. Alba are producing flower stems, with colour just round the corner. The dinky Geum Koi and Cooky are now showing their first bright orange flowers.
Our own sourced wild primrose (Primula vulgaris) are still going strong and still producing fresh buds and flower. The last few spring flowering Pulmonarias are showing lots of bud now with most now showing pretty opening flowers. Attractive variegated foliage of Ajuga Burgundy Glow and Sugar Plum make an attractive backdrop to the spikes of early mauve/blue flowers.
We have several new trial varieties this season and the first of those are available next week. The Scabiosa Flutterby series are an improved selection of the Butterfly Blue type. Compact and long flowering, available in blue, white and pink they should be a winner. Blue and pink are ready now and the white will be very soon. Last of the over-wintered Lupins on the list this week, with only really Gallery Rose left and a handful of Yellow. Fresh crops on the way if I can keep the pigeons off them, they seem to have a taste for Lupin this spring.
Have a great week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.