Hairy Hurry

Hi,

Very busy pre-bank holiday week and just managed to get all the orders out although it ended up being a bit of a juggle.

Naturally the expected return of the absent Fiat didn't happen, which threw a spanner in the works early on, but we managed to hire a replacement which did the job even if it was a bit limited on volumes it could carry. Special thanks to the drivers who put in some sterling work to get it all delivered with a few double outings, late returns and monster traffic issues at times.

Not much potting got done but we are just grateful some larger volumes of stock have left the premises at last, long may the more pleasant weather last.

No time for waffle today as we are out for a family birthday meal tonight, potting team in tomorrow and Caroline's Wembley trip on Sunday to hopefully see a return to the Premiership.

Availability list.

Summer stars the Agapanthus are now making strong growth after the winter. Arctic Star, Brilliant Blue and Double Diamond are now producing buds. Fresh crops of Erigeron karv. Stallone with its tiny multicolour daisy flowers that come all summer long are back on the list. Also in strong bud are the last few Erigeron Sea Breeze in two colours. Very strong bushy plants carrying loads of fat buds. Salvia's of all sorts are now growing strongly and producing the first of many flowers.

A bit of a gardeners plant Sanguisorba Tanna is throwing up lots of bud. Attractive foliage and subtle flowers make it a popular garden plant. Masses of bud and colour to come with the Bidens summer range. Already making an eye catching show they look fab. The earliest batches of Dianthus are producing flower stems and tight bud. All are scented varieties and very bushy. Fresh batches of Aquilegia have been saved from the bunnies or deer, not sure which, and now looking great with early signs of flower activity and colour.

The hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple are in bud. Excellent bushy stock with buds fattening. Armeria Dreameria series of long season flowering Armerias are now showing their first colour with loads more to come. No white this year but a series of three pretty different pinks making a delightful show. The compact Achillea Milly Rock series are now in bud. Strong growers but short in stature.

Summer colour is on its way with the Gaura range doing it's thing. Hoping to have a good run of availability over the next few months but they are selling so fast there may be the odd short break. A new crop this year is Nepeta Kitten Around which I saw at the Ball-Colgrave open day last summer. It is really very compact in the pot making an attractive flowering plant, not too straggly. Last few left.

A few trays are ready of the Gaillardia Guapa series we are trying out. Strong and compact the first buds are already out. Many of the Leucanthemums are coming into tight bud now. The scrambling Campanula posharskyana is chunky and now producing plenty of bud. Rhodanthemum's are also in bud, although I don't have huge numbers just yet so don't get carried away.

We have a fresh batch of short bushy Erysimum Cheers Florange in bud, a clear pale orange flower, really attractive. Multiple Hosta varieties are looking great. All propagated in our own micro-prop lab, we have a super selection. Favourite border classics Verbena bonariensis and Lollipop are back on line. I have several batches on the way so we can keep the plant size in the pot manageable.

On the herb front summer has arrived with our first batches of Basil and Lemon Verbena now ready. I am always a bit cautious with volumes on the earlier batches as they are not keen on cold weather and we sometimes get caught out. Fingers crossed the forecast is right and we should get away with it.

Best wishes from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.