Morning all

I suspect a bonkers week next week as we approach Easter, so I will keep this brief. I have a team of potters in need of me so I must be quick. A quick alert that we may well be delivering as late as Friday this week if bonkersness arrives in force!
A relatively smooth week with just the one major moment of panic. One of the drivers phoned in one morning to report the van was ‘wrecked’. This was on the longest journey of the week, full up, and a long way from base. Big adrenalin rush as I tried to calmly ascertain the details. It turned out not to be too bad really just a cut in the aluminium panel in the side of the van were it had caught on something metallic at very low speed. Not very pretty, but out of harm’s way and perfectly safe, no structural damage and no damage to anything else. These things happen occasionally, and as long as everyone is ok, safe and not too distressed and the vehicle is still operational, that is a result in my books. Even the garage said it would be a cheap and simple patch up, so not too much of a financial penalty either. Best of all we got all the way round to The Eden Project so I got my favourite bread fix last night as an appetiser before dinner. Had a bit more for breakfast too. You’re supposed build up the carbs before a big event like the London Marathon so I feel vindicated. OK, I’m not actually running, does that make a difference? I can already taste the lunchtime sandwich.
The moral of the above story must be that when imparting bad news, make is sound far worse initially then when the truth comes out it doesn’t seem so bad. Must remember that one.
Summer is close to hand. First swallow arrived here on Monday, and there are now two. Both roosting in the donkey shed and cheerily chattering away around the nursery during the day. Another few days and the house martins should pitch up too. I’ve filled the puddle in the yard in anticipation.
Availability
Inspirational flower and bud appearing on many lines as well as healthy spring foliage bursting forth elsewhere.
Fabulous Polemonium Heaven Scent are coming into their own with a delightful bushy show of bronzy green foliage and showing a few open blue flowers. A spring stunner but not many left. Lots of pink and white colour on the delightful Dicentra spectabilis.
Allium varieties are really strong and chunky, perfect for planting out and buds just appearing, be quick they don’t look this good for very long.
The trendy Camassias are beginning to produce strong flower shoots.
The ever favourite and long flowering Erysimum Bowles Mauve looks absolutely fantastic, bushy and budding strongly, first colour just beginning to show. Even better than last year’s stunners.
Flower stems and buds on most of the Aquilegias now. Strong and good looking. The super dark Barlow Black is always a favourite. The mixed colours of the Mckana Hybrids are very pretty and showing first colour.
Many Geraniums are beginning to show bud with Gravetye carrying plenty of bud and I saw one brilliant blue flower open this morning.
The ever popular Geum’s are producing flower shoots. No colour yet but it won’t be long. Campanula glomerata varieties are showing plenty of bud and some early colour.
The first of the Salvias (May Night and Blue Queen) are throwing up their first flower stems and buds, the promise of lots more to come.
Erodium Bishops form is in flower, nicely compact with its vibrant deep pink blooms.
Brunnera varigata are producing their spring buds and vibrant blue flowers, looking perky, what a great blue.
Digitalis and Lupin ranges are all looking mega fresh and vigorous all raring to go. The digitalis wouldn’t look out of place in a 3li pot, there are so strong. The Lupins are ready to put on a big summer splash, perfect for planting now and signs of the occasional bud appearing.
Veronica gentianoides has loads of flower shoots appearing, about to display their delightful pale blue flowers. Almost impossible to photograph as the flowers always look white in the picture, missing out on the subtly of the real thing. Both Armeria maritima varieties have plenty of buds and the odd dab of colour, always a popular neat pot full. Verbascums are getting started on flower stem production, full of vigour.
The pink Pyrethrum (roseum) is close to colour with nice fat buds shooting up.
Ajuga Burgundy Glow are producing lots of flower shoots, looking good but not many left.

Have a great pre Easter week
From all at Kirton Farm Nurseries