Hairy Kindness

Hi
Another conifer down last weekend, which could have been nasty as it fell into the main road during the late evening. Luckily a driver stopped and alerted us and we were able to get our woodsman neighbour, with all his lumberjack kit, to quickly chop it up. We dragged the debris out of the way and all was well, if a little too exciting, for a Saturday night. No long term damage again, a few briefly flooded tunnels but not much more, so we are very grateful for that, considering the misery of those affected by the major flooding elsewhere. On Thursday we saw video of a big fruit nursery completely underwater, just engulfed by the river that runs beside it. I shudder to think of the disruption and losses incurred there.
We've had another windy week, achieving close to record output from the turbines over the last three weeks. It is due to continue to be breezy well into next week, although not as wild down here as it has been, and we could get very close to a record month. Every cloud and all that.
Sales continue to bowl along surprisingly well considering, although we would love to see some brighter, settled weather, just to relax and get back to 'normal'. Most of our new wooden label storage boxes are up and running, a new set of shelves added to fit the last few in and all the new label stock safely filed away. Looks fab, bit of a faff to knock together, but they fit both the picture and herb labels perfectly, and are really quick and easy to find, fill and select from. All was just about finished
up for the NBIS grower group visit on Thursday. I suspect they think I'm nuts going to all this effort, but their words were kind! I must admit after a couple of hours concentrated rearranging of stuff, the nursery as a whole polished up nicely for the tour and almost looked professional. It was a great excuse to get the season started with a clean slate and everything in its place. Most had visited us before, so we kept to the latest highlights, the new shed/office, the new plant passport labels, the mypex cleaning machine, the new LED lights in the weaning tunnel, the new label storage obviously, and best of all, the new inspection/access chamber to the cesspit pipe-work! Conversations were littered with as many poo references and innuendo's as you could imagine. Many motions were passed and much s--t hit the fan.

Price changes for 2020
Don't forget the new prices for the new season. A very modest rise for the year of an average of less than 2% can be seen on the prices page of the 2020 flipbook catalogue which came into force on January 1st (link attached to this email). If we pre- price your deliveries, you might want to review your prices for the year and let us know of any changes so that we can adjust your records and make sure we have the printing plates and labels ready to roll for your spring deliveries.

Availability list highlights
Anemone blanda Blue is up and showing bud and the odd flash of colour. I don't have a huge number so don't hold back. Polemonium Heaven Scent always puts on a great early show and they are currently sprouting attractive chunky bronze foliaged rosettes, before the buds appear in a few weeks.
Frittilaria (snakeshead lily) are just beginning to show the occasional bud after recently breaking through.
The Pulmonaria are budding up well with the odd open flower. Going fast, so don't miss them
Crocus Remembrance are well up and their little fat flower buds are there with the odd flash of purple definitely in evidence. The dark blue flowers of Scilla sibirica are breaking the surface of the pot, such a strong colour so early in the year. More strong blues on the way with the Muscari now in bud.
A new Camassia for us this season is C. Sacajawea, not the most 'roll off the tongue' name, but it produces dramatic stripy variegated leaves around its white flowers. A stunner and looking good already. Most of the Euphorbia's are now budding, with arching stems looking elegant already. Martinii is looking particularly attractive. There are more Erysimums budding up too, it might be a little while before colour appears but they are there. Super Bowl Mauve does now have the first buds colouring and opening.
Another new one for us this spring is the pretty pink flowering, low growing Corydalis Beth Evans. Buds are already opening. Primula denticulata Rubra and Lilac/purple showing colour now. Brunnera are shooting through now, producing their first buds almost as soon as the leaves emerge. Just the green form at the moment, the stunning variegata will be a couple of weeks later.
Spring flowering Symphytum are showing early tight bud, a strong plant with subtle pale blue flowers. The little deep pink Viola oderata Coeur d'Alsace are really sweet in looks and scent. There are also quite a few evergreen plants looking happy enough over the winter period, so we can make a nice display up of stock with the promise of the good times ahead.
Spring flowering Bergenia and Doronicum are good as are Leucanthemum, Lupin, Papaver, Stachys and Digitalis.
Best wishes for a great season, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.