Hairy Times

Hello all you lovely people out there.

Forgive me feeling a bit more forward than usual, I can't give anyone a hug when I wish I could.

That was quite a week for us all, and I'm certainly not going to delve into any more analysis on the subject, there is so much about, I can't watch too much before I'm full and have to try and find something positive to do.

First of all I have to say that we will do our very best to get stock out to any customer who would like it, but in these tricky times we can't guarantee anything, so you may have to be a bit flexible on various fronts. We are only a small business and we are already several staff down with self isolators in the upper age bracket, stranded travellers, and other various ailments, but we have rearranged things to cope at the moment. However we literally don't know what tomorrow will bring, so I suspect you will have to be kind to us on some future occasion. Please do take care to look after yourselves as best you can, not just physically but mentally too. This is a mega stressful time for all and that can result in physical and behavioural changes, so we are going to have to be extra kind to ourselves and others. Share your worries, it has certainly helped me this week, I haven't never talked to so many people so intimately before and I have been supported and encouraged enormously, so huge thanks to all those who suffered one of my calls!

It is so uplifting to see the good stuff coming out of this, I am desperate that when it's all over, a lot of this carries on, it could be a life changing thing.

On a more practical level, we got a few bits and bobs from the shop today, enough to see us through till next week. We didn't need the now rare loo paper as we always have a couple of packs in stock and the chickens are laying so plenty of eggs. One should really reduce the need for the other! The cats don't seem to have recognised the drama going on, plenty of lounging about relaxing, still leaving little piles of mouse entrails on the carpet for me to find on the way to the loo in the dark. Ace. I stood and watched a flock of long tailed tits on the feeder yesterday, just delightful.

Top distraction for me this week was www.lockdownlive.biz. Our favourite boogie-woogie pianist live streaming each evening with other local artists who are all now without work. They are hoping to do every night of the lockdown period. Costs £2 a night from about 8.00pm, a bit chaotic but just nice and relaxed plus some good tunes. I see there are quite a few live feeds like this popping up all over the internet, all heart warming stuff. Talking of music I see Eurovision is off, so you see every cloud and all that.

Availability list highlights

Ipheion Alberto Castillo with simple bold white flowers on this long flowering stunner are a joy. Now the pink form Tessa is in flower too. They make a lovely couple! Anemone blanda White are up and showing bud and the odd flash of colour. I don't have a huge number so don't hold back. Looking fab and selling quick. Still a few blue left too, but not for long. We are trialling a crop of the new Aubretia Just Spring in two colours. They are covering most of the pot surface with masses of bud and flashes of colour already. Polemonium Heaven Scent always puts on a great early show and they are currently sprouting attractive chunky bronze foliaged rosettes, and tight buds are now shooting up, colour not far away.

The ever popular Frittilaria (snakeshead lily) looking fab showing the occasional opening bud on lovely bushy pots. The Pulmonaria are budding up well with some open flower. Loving the mild start and looking great at the moment. Deep blue of Blue Ensign are the best we have grown, and the contrasting pale blue of Opal a delight. The deep blue flowering Scilla sibirica are nicely emerged now, with loads of shoots bursting through flashing strong colour. More strong blues on the way with the Muscari latifolium and Blue Magic now in colour. Most of the Euphorbia's are now budding, with arching stems looking elegant already. Martinii looking particularly attractive.

Strong purple foliage of E. Purpurea contrast well with their yellow flowers. Bergenia Bressingham White and Diamond Drops have buds swelling, the odd flash of white is peaking through, The purple/pink variety Sunningdale has swelling bud too. 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. Stems of pink buds are unfurling on the Heuchera Firefly, it must be Spring. Erysimums budding up strongly with more colour peaking through. Super Bowl Mauve does

Doronicum now in bud. Yellow flowers will open shortly. A ray of sunshine. All the Viola oderata varieties are really sweet, in looks and scent. Most are in flower now too and smelling amazing in any little bit of warmth. I can't believe the smell is coming from such small flowers when walking past the tunnel entrance.

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.