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"Irrigation of the land with seawater desalinated by fusion power is ancient. It's called 'rain' ". Michael McClary
Is the quotation above the official scientific reason for all this rain that has been visited on us over the last months? Who knows, but enough is possibly enough.
It is difficult to think of something interesting to write when you have oedema of the imagination / inspiration!
So here are some winter flowering shrubs which are often overlooked in the rush to have a native or endemic garden. Exotics can blend very well with the native shrubs and trees to provide visual and textural interest as well as being good for the wildlife.
Winter flowering shrubs
Chaenomeles, Japonica or Flowering Quince 1 to 3 metres
Extremely hardy, full sun or semi-shade but does not like wet feet. Makes a fantastic hedge, great cut flower for simple Japanese style arrangements and so bright and cheery at this time of the year. Possibly expensive to buy as they are sometimes difficult to propagate and slow to get to a saleable size.
Varieties: Falconet Charlotte, Crimson and Gold (dwarf), Early Orange (early), Cameo and Alba. In days of yore you could choose from over 20 named varieties. After the flowering you get a small very hard green fruit which makes a wonderful jelly for toast or as an accompaniment to roast meat or sausages.
Stachyurus praecox or Early Spiketail 2 metres
Prefers a sunny position, very hardy. Flowers in late winter and early spring with racemes of waxy lemon bells drooping from waxy red branches. An erect open grower with bronzy green leaves in summer. Really stunning and excellent for picking.
Corylopsis spicata or Winter Hazel 2 metres
A hardy small shrub that prefers a similar situation and conditions to azaleas and rhodos. Very early in spring masses of yellow bell shaped fragrant flowers appear in 6 to 8 cm racemes. The stamens have a red tip to them which add to the attractiveness. Flower is similar in habit to the Flowering Currant. Planted in a mixed shrub, border, it is stunning and interesting.
Hamamelis mollis or Witch Hazel 3 metres plus
Absolutely stunning, perfumed late winter flowering. It is very hardy, but avoid overcrowding. There are a number of named varieties; none are cheap due to propagation difficulties but they are so worth every cent you pay. Well, what is expensive anyway? Compared to what? A restaurant main course in a designer pile, on a white plate with a dribble of what used to be called sauce or gravy, may cost more and be worth less.
Sarcococca or Christmas Box 1 metre
Very hardy, thrives in partial shade under trees and once established is drought tolerant. Its foliage is similar to Buxus but the shrub has more to recommend it than the overplanted, savagely number one Buxus. During winter it has an inconspicuous cream flower with an amazing perfume followed by lovely red berries. Best planted in groups for cross pollination and effect. Under rated and undervalued.
Garrya elliptica or Catkin Bush 2.5 metres
Recommended variety is James Roof. Long tassels of silver greyish yellow flowers hang from the branch tips in winter. A very hardy drought tolerant shrub which looks wonderful in a mixed border and it is great as a cut flower. Its grace and beauty are very cheering during the long dark days of persistent precipitation.
A list of winter flowering shrubs could go on and on but the above are some which have gone out of fashion and/or favour. Camellias, especially the Sasanquas, are wonderful. Sugar and Spice is one you will never regret buying but it is hard to get. Lovely, soft pink, slightly weeping habit and a great perfume. Check out www.camelliahaven.co.nz. If you want Sugar and Spice contact them from the website.
Then you have Banksias and Daphnes (look at Daphne Bulla), the Erica’s and the list goes on.
Reference Books
Possibly the better reference books were those printed some years ago before airbrushing and gushy writing became the norm. If you are keen, the following may be available on Trade Me or at a second hand bookstore.
Palmer's Manual of Trees, Shrubs and Climbers.
Harrison's Handbook of Trees and Shrubs or alternatively his Know Your Trees and Shrubs.
Harrison's Handbook of Bulbs and Perennials or his Know Your Bulbs and Perennials.
If, by some miracle you can find it,
Duncan and Davies' Complete Catalogue and Cultural Guide.
All the above books are New Zealand specific. Harrisons were nurserymen in Palmerston North for years as were Palmers. All that expertise and intellectual property has now been converted to a Red Shed.
Work.
Stay off the garden and the lawn which will be really soggy.
Spray stone fruit trees, peaches, nectarines and plums with copper oxychloride. They will need more than one spray to prevent peach curl. Use Lime sulphur if you have moss and lichen on the bark of your trees. Do not spray apricots with copper. You can also mix spraying oil with copper for a good clean-up spray. For roses, use the same mixture to clean up.
Get your seeds for summer ordered at www.kingsseeds.co.nz . Try some Pak Choi and tomatoes, Mortgage Lifter, Black Krim Zebra Stripe. Take a chance, you cannot lose much. When you look at the vegetable garden at the moment you do wonder if it will ever produce anything edible. It is really hunkered down in winter mode.
If you have a question you would like answered, you can email me through the
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. There is no guarantee of an answer or the advice given being of any use at all.
"I believe in an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out".
Arthur Hayes Sulzberger
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