High excitement (I don't get out much) our small van is back on the road after nearly 4 weeks off, perhaps if I had a breakdown I could get 4 weeks off too. Came quite close this week when I had a fit of slightly hysterical giggles when everything went a bit nuts, but pulled it together in the end and got my glum face fixed back on.
That was a very busy week as we ran up to the bank holiday weekend, just the four day week to cope with after it and we should be back home and dry with some nice steady long weeks again.
Potting and clearing crews in again this morning and Monday to try and catch up a bit, and it always feels like we are getting somewhere, but time flies and before you know it the next week has flown by and we are back into 'catch up' mode again. Mustn't grumble, make hay while the sun shines and all that.
Must go and get on with finishing the last of the days potting and get them put down, the pricking out done this morning needs a home and Caroline still needs a birthday present, or at least a card so I might need a trip down to the petrol station too!
Availability highlights
Salvia Hot Lips is now in bud with colour very close to showing. The early flowers tend to be all red rather than red and white but don't worry they will return to the usual red and white combination soon. Occasionally they will produce a flush of all white flowers too, a novel characteristic of this very popular plant.
Tradescantia Blue and Gold is now showing it's blue flowers which contrast so sharply with the narrow yellow leaves. Summer must be here, although I believe that it is officially next week really, the Rhodanthemums are back on song and showing bud and the odd flower. Masses of flower all summer, these are proving really popular. Lovely batch of the classic Geum Lady Stratheden are ready to go. Buds are showing well.
The delicate looking foam flower (Tiarella wherryi) are in bud. Not as bold as some plants but puts on a delightful show. Dianthus Scent First varieties are back on line. Buds are thrusting through on all varieties. We have go to town on Scabiosa this season, Lots potted ready for summer flowering and a few ready now with their first buds appearing. The first batches of Butterfly Blue and Mariposa Blue are there now but please don't all rush in too soon, there will be more of a show later because these beauties keep flowering all summer.
We have a nice range of fresh Achillea on the list. The taller (proper!) varieties of Moonshine, Paprika and Terracotta make fab garden plants, very popular the bees and butterflies. They are fairly short at the moment so don't hang on too long before getting some in! I don't have a huge number in stock either. The ever popular Verbena bonariensis are available again along with the more compact forms Lollipop.
Although not in flower, the Hostas are up and looking smart. Not a lot left now but still looking good. We still have a few really strong Japanese Anemone for sale. Chunky over wintered plants raring to go. One of my favourites. Really strong Rudbeckia Goldsturm plants available now, a bit early for their flower stems yet, but can't be far away.
The various Echinacea varieties are selling well. They are now beginning to show signs of flower stem production with the odd bud on show. We also have a new compact form (Salvia Caradonna Compact) of the deep purple upright Salvia Caradonna which is a stunner in itself. The new variety has early bud showing and I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs.
The old favourite Erodium Bishops Form is back on the list again and already carrying plenty of bud on tidy plants. The white form is now available too with open flower and plenty of bud. We have a very smart batch of the short variegated grass Carex Evergold. We accidentally gave it a rather overzealous and very short haircut back in the early spring, but it has recovered beautifully with a fresh flush of clean strong growth. I'll try and remember that one for next year.
To those who have been asking our Erigeron karv. Stallone are close to being ready, a week or two should see a load on offer in bud and flower. Apologies for the delay but the cooler temperatures have held back growth a bit.
Have a great week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
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