Frogs!!!
We have been having quite a spring clean here at Woodleigh with our buckets, brooms and gloves. Weeding, pruning, controlling liverwort with baking soda (yes it works) and shifting plants around.
This is when we discovered our little friends hiding amongst the plant pots. Frogs! Big ones, little ones, green and brown ones, we had to be quite careful not to stand on them. They weren’t that happy with us moving their homes around so we shifted a few to the old cow trough (now fish pond).
Frog at Woodleigh Nursery
We use very few chemicals in our nursery (hence the use of baking soda as we look for alternatives). Frogs are very sensitive to chemicals so it has been exciting and rewarding to see so many; it indicates to us that we run a fairly environmentally friendly nursery. Each year we see a few, this year we have certainly seen the most.
Spring is definitely here now.
Our Rosa Roseraie de L’Hay is in flower with its scent wafting around the nursery. This is one of the best rugosa roses, with large, double, wine-purple flowers and a strong perfume. It repeat flowers well.
The Leucothoe fontanesiana is smothered with masses of cascading white Pieris like flowers at the moment. This plant comes from southeastern USA. It is a very easy care plant, providing a beautiful floral display through spring and summer.
Purple anise, Illicium floridanum is another flowering shrub from the southeastern USA. The starry red wine coloured flowers have a heady port-like fragrance. Another easy care shrub with tough waxy leaves.
The macrophylla hydrangeas are bursting into lush growth now with many starting to show flower buds. The new season is upon us.
Janica
October 2014
Janica and Quin Amoore Woodleigh Nursery 300 Mountain Road RD 3 New Plymouth 4373
Tel 06 752 0830 | Cell 021 072 7394 (phone or text) | Email janica@woodleigh.co.nz
So what are some of Woodleigh’s ‘many other plants’?
Begonia luxurians
Over the last weeks I have been adding new plants to our website. A few more hydrangeas and lots more ‘other’ exciting plants. Our range is definitely increasing as we discover more treasures. A big thank you to those customers who have provided suggestions regarding plants that they would like us to grow. And thanks to those who have provided us with propagation material.
Many of these new plants on our website are currently flowering in our garden, just as our hydrangeas are finishing for the season (though some of these are still producing new flowers).
Dombeya ‘Pink Cloud’, or Cape Wedding Flower as it is commonly called, is a large shrub from South Africa. It is covered in masses of soft pink flowers. It flowers consistently from autumn through until spring.
Justicia aurea, or Golden Plume is in full display in the shade house. The golden yellow flowers look fabulous, brightening up that shady dell.
Another great plant for brightening these early winter days is Leonotis leonurus ‘Lion King’. This is an evergreen shrub from South Africa and likes a sunny spot.
You may not see the flowers of Osmanthus x fortunei as you wander past, but you will certainly smell them. The small white flowers release a powerful gardenia-like scent that can be smelt 100m away.
And I still have more plants to add to the website such as the Marmalade plant, Streptosolen jamesonii, and Begonia luxurians. I hope to get these added soon.
Dombeya ‘pink cloud’
Janica and Quin Amoore Woodleigh Nursery 300 Mountain Road RD 3 New Plymouth 4373
Tel 06 752 0830 | Cell 021 072 7394 (phone or text) | Email janica@woodleigh.co.nz
Woodleigh Nursery 