Hairy gig

Morning all,

Not much room for news this week due to the large number of plants needing a mention because they look so good! An easier week, with the arrival of lower temperatures which was a relief. We had some torrential downpours again which caused a few minor flash floods but nothing too damaging so far. The lack of concrete and buildings means the water has plenty of places to soak away, so we are less vulnerable than some in the cities where it all accumulates and runs down to the lowest sites. Might need a serious rethink on infrastructure in urban areas to cope with this climate change lark.

Our NHS plant giveaway has drawn to a close now, we saturated the local surgery, vaccination and hospital sites and cleared a bit of space too, so a win for all. We have had some lovely responses which adds to the whole feel good mood, now we just need to find time and space to rebuild stock levels for next spring. The race goes on. It's already August next week so can't afford to relax, we need to get plants in pots to make the most of the remaining growing time this season. Personally I'm a bit over tired after our first gig to see our favourite Boogie Woogie pianist Ben Waters. Great to get back to a proper evening out although definitely suffering today. Good to focus on something non-planty for a change, must try harder to do more. Ben has always been a great story teller and if anything can go wrong for Ben, it will, he's worse than me. I always remember the one where he and his band drove to into northern Norway to play, but had to drive back to Oslo to catch a morning plane. After the gig Ben set off in the dark to drive the band back, but after a few hours he needed a kip so looked for somewhere to pull over. There was nothing on his side of the road but he spotted a lay-by on the other side so he swung across, and parked up. He slept well, waking to find that another member of the band had taken over the driving. Unfortunately he hadn't realised Ben had parked on the opposite side until after a couple more hours they arrived back in the town they had just played in!

Availability list highlights

Erigeron Stallone are perfect, loads of bud and flower and a nice chunky size. One of our best sellers through the summer. Both Gaillardia Messa Red and Messa Yellow varieties looking strong and showy. Eucomis autumnalis now showing their exotic creamy flower spikes. New on the list this week is the popular Cerostigma plumbaginoides, already showing its first buds and the odd flash of those stunning blue flowers,

Penstemon Garnet are still putting on a good show and we are moving into a fresh batch of Sour Grapes which aren't quite as colourful yet, but show plenty of promise. Osteospermum are still selling well. We have several batches potted in three varieties and all have flowers opening. Summer favourites the Gaura are all coming into bud and flowers opening on many, a nice range of colours bushy plants. Stunning batches of the Lobelia's are coming into bud, and showing colour and attractive foliage to back them up.

Nice range of the scented Phlox Sweet Summer series now showing colour, Multiple stemmed and looking good. Fresh batches of Calamintha this week, with first flowers opening. Our two forms of Erodium have lots of tiny open flowers all over the plant surface with plenty of bud to follow. Two compact Helenium varieties in bud and flower. Salud Golden has flecks of orange in the yellow petals and Salud Yellow does what it says on the tin.

If you have a sheltered spot to keep them in we have some lovely, fairly compact, and strong stemmed Delphiniums in bud and showing some colour. They won't be around for long but they are always so popular with impulsive gardeners. Lavender Spear Blue, very bushy with loads of bud and colour, just perfect for those smelly lavender sales. New hardy Gerbera range in 4 lovely colours, just fab, real impulse plants and flower for ages. Only a few left.

The mini Chrysanthemums are back on the list and producing bud. Very compact and bushy in a good colour range. Dainty Lewisia Elise in flower. Flowers all summer in a range of pastel colours. Most Crocosmia are standing tall and now showing bud. Tiarella wherrii (Foam Flower) is in flower with its short spikes of tiny creamy blooms.

A popular summer star is the Platycodon which are on the list again and both varieties are already in bud. Oxalis Iron Cross with two tone leaves and red/pink flowers. A fresh short bushy batch in bud and ready to go. Compact Campanula's (carpatica, Clockwise and posharskyana) are colouring up, about to show off their summer displays. Helichrysum Nevada range has an impressive display of bright papery flowers. 

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries