Hairy high life

Hi,

Celebrations are nearly complete and almost everyone managed to find a card for the birthday girl, I'm still working on that one. Several delicious cakes appeared over several days, courtesy of friends and family so the vibe was right even if time was a bit short. We are having a celebratory trip out next weekend, bracing ourselves for a short cruse. I don't have very good sea-legs so I'm hoping the circuit of Poole harbour won't be too wild. You only live once.
Another busy week but a slight air of relief in my mind, now that all the spring bank holidays are done. Looking forward to the coming five day week so we can relax into normality again and get a load of stuff done. Naturally the holiday season now kicks off to compensate but we all need a break now and then.
The herbs thankfully are making progress again after a bit of a shortfall. The warmer summer range is adding to the ranks with Basils, Lemon Verbena and Myrtle becoming available over the next couple of weeks. Must eat more pasta.

Availability highlights
Erigeron kerv. Stallone are back on and in bud too. Plenty of stock available so don't hold back.
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.
Most of the Lupins are showing bud. They romp away at this stage so don't leave it, strike while their poker flowers are hot. Tradescantia Blue and Gold is now showing it's blue flowers which contrast so sharply with the narrow yellow leaves. 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 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 Blue and carpatica White with their domed habit and large single
cupped flowers are neat and chunky with masses of bud. The other is the prolific scrambler posharskyana with its smaller lilac blue bell flowers. It's one we trim back regularly to keep it in the pot but it's a great performing garden plant, covering a multitude of sins.
Dianthus Scent First varieties are back on line. Buds are thrusting through on all varieties and the odd flower opening. A bit more warmth in the air will amplify those sweet scents too.
The ever popular compact Eryngium Blue Hobbit is producing flower stems now, we don't have many so don't miss out. We have gone to town on Scabiosa this season, Lots potted ready for summer flowering and a few ready now

Have a great week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.