Hairy Spring

Hi,

Definite air of spring out there today, buds are swelling and there seems quite a bit of colour about. A little less wet with the promise of more mixed spring weather to come. At least the sun is making a more regular appearance.

Such a shame that the upturn in gardening and retail activity could be rather dampened by the widespread virus worries. I suppose we might get lucky and there might not be the impact on the more individual outdoor activities, but it doesn't do much for overall economic or personal confidence. We are being super careful on our overall behaviour in the hope that we can minimise the effects this all might have on all the people around us and the nursery. We are out in the fresh air most of the time and not working too close to others, plenty of hand washing and keeping an eye on each other's health. We have even started a twice daily temperature check just to give everyone confidence that any infection is caught as early as we can and everyone working around them is as fit as possible. It's all about minimising risk, we can't eradicate it, otherwise it's just fingers crossed and look forward to  the day we can say it is clear.

Picked up the new little van on Monday. Very nice, slightly shorter and dumpier look, which is quite sweet, and best of all the trolleys fit in beautifully, all in the same direction with little wasted space. Somehow though these things never seem to quite fulfil your expectations and the fact that the sloping loading ramp isn't as non-slip as we would expect is a bit of a pain. Having discovered this in the rain when it got back on site, I called to question what we needed to do to make it safer. After a long delay I was called back and offered a non-slip paint option, never mentioned before, with an overall cost implication of

towards £800 by the time we had driven it back and forth, and left it there for a week. Obviously my fault for selecting the slippery loading ramp, rather than asking for a nonslip one! I am hoping to have come up with a temporary solution for the moment using some super sticky gritty tape which should see us through, thank you Google. Fab van otherwise. On its maiden delivery today and no call so far from a driver in trouble, so hoping it's all gone well.

Availability list highlights

A bit of a surprise last week with the Ipheion Alberto Castillo suddenly producing its first flush of bud. 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.

Not sure whether to promote this or not, as I don't think I've grown enough! 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 the odd flash of colour already. It is not just an early variety but very long flowering. Probably gone in couple of weeks, I'll do more next year!

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) are 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 really good 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 bud. The white form is now in bud/colour too. Most of the Euphorbia's are now budding, with arching stems looking elegant already. Martinii and the very compact Tiny Tim are 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.

We still have a couple of late flowering small Narcissus available, just coming into bud, but not may left.

There are more Erysimums budding up, 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. Primula denticulata 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 variegated form is up and ready with buds coming soon.

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.