Sorry it's been a bit quiet from this end, probably a relief to all really. My brain has ceased to function other than basic operations. I come to sending out the list, time has slipped away and everything just fogs over!
Same again tonight, I just want to lie down. I'm sure many of you are feeling the same way after a busy spring so my thoughts are with you all. Keep it up, it will all work out ok in the end and we can all take a day off.
When the brain reengages with reality I will get you all caught up with the news but for now here are some flowering highlights from the availability list to keep you going.
Availability highlights
Erigeron kerv. Stallone are back on and in bud too. Plenty of stock available so don't hold back.
The ever popular Verbena bonariensis are available again along with the more compact form Lollipop which are showing signs of bud. We have a fantastic crop of Catananche in bud. Strong and chunky, it won't be long before they open their papery blue petals, a summer delight.
Our summer crop of Oxalis are up and running. Both are in bud and looking perky. Iron Cross has dramatic green and black foliage under deep pink flowers while triangularis is equally showy with its purple leaves under pretty pale pink flowers. Salvia Hot Lips is now in bud with the odd bud opening. 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.
The pretty pastel mixed colour flowers of Lewisia Elise are showing well with plenty more bud to follow. Rhodanthemum Casablanca and Marakesh are showing well with bushy grey foliage and lots of bud on show and the odd open daisy flower. They will go on all summer long producing so many delightful blooms. Twinkly white flowers of our compact Calmintha Marvelette are beginning to open and looking great. Lots of fab Salvia nemerosa varieties now back on line with most in bud and showing a flash of colour.
The delicate looking foam flower (Tiarella wherryi) are in bud and flower. Not as bold as some plants but puts on a delightful show and looking fab at the moment. We have three short Campanula currently in bud. Carpatica White with its domed habit and large single cupped flowers are
neat and chunky with masses of bud. Another is the prolific scrambler posharskyana with its smaller lilac blue bell flowers, and a new one for us Clockwise is another scrambler but a more subtle in a neater growth habit and pretty blue flowers. Dianthus Scent First varieties are back on line. Buds are thrusting through on all varieties and the first flowers opening. A bit more warmth in the air will amplify those sweet scents too.
We have gone to town on Scabiosa this season, Lots potted ready for summer flowering, Butterfly Blue and Mariposa Blue are budding up nicely now in good numbers, these beauties will keep flowering all summer. Summer must be here, the Gaura's are coming on line with early bud already in evidence. We also have a few other new summery lines with the pretty tough Osteosperum Tresco Purple looking strong. Masses of bud and colour on the compact Scabious Blue Note. Good size flowers on short stems in classic scabious blue. Echinacea varieties are still selling well. They are now showing strong flower stem production with the odd bud on show. We still have a few hardy Fuchsia looking lovely. There is a fresh batch of the popular upright white Hawkshead but it won't hang about long.
Have a great week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
