For your interest we have an archive newsletter section.
Please note that any special offers and prices mentioned may not now be current.

When I wrote the last Newsletter back in May I was looking out across a wet car park and wondering if Spring really would ever arrive. We are now into July and one is in the same quandary but this time over the arrival of Summer. I think we shall just have to ignore the weather and pretend summer is here!

Hampton Court Flower Show

Let me now start with the good news. Susan and Charlotte gained a Silver Medal for their first demonstration garden at The Hampton Court Flower Show which was excellent. Their round garden (click here to view plan), supported by a round leaflet, created a great deal of interest and many an onlooker commented that a gold medal would have been more appropriate. The colour scheme of silver and blue with the round water feature in the centre with silver paths running up to it all gave a cool restful air, much appreciated by nearly everyone. One did have the 'odd' person who looked on and complained that it made them feel cold just to look at the garden. Perhaps if summer had arrived these people would also have appreciated the skill of the design!

The interesting thing about the garden was the plants in it which caused the most enquiries. Every day hundreds of people were asking about the Nicotiana langsdorfii with its dainty green bells. Although an annual, every plant sold at the end of the show, and we have had several telephone enquiries to check if we still have plants available on the Garden Centre. The answer is 'yes' at the moment but probably not much longer! The other two which people were really interested in were the Salix exigua and Verbena bonariensis. The latter was widely available at the show but the Salix is far better purchased bare root in the autumn when it will be readily available.

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Africa Xtreme Animals

Scattered around the garden were metal birds and reptiles made in Africa and brought into this country by Africa Xtreme. They are hand crafted from recycled metal then lacquered giving a most unusual effect. There are little Geckos at £14.95 to large Black Headed Herons at £110 with a wide range of others to choose from. We have been amazed how popular these ornaments have proved and it is good to know that a large portion of the profit from the sales will be going to those in Africa who made them.

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Garden Arches, Hay Racks and Wall Baskets

Talking of metal work we now have back in stock the wrought iron garden arches, the hay racks and oblong wall baskets which proved to be so popular in the spring and have been out of stock since then.

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Japanese Style Garden Ornaments & Bonsai

A new line, which is proving to be popular, is the 'Japanese' garden ornaments. There are pagodas, Foo dogs, Bali lanterns, stepping stones, statues and seats. On the oriental line as well is a range of bonsai plants. The 'bonsai minis' are certainly a good present for the man you cannot think of anything for, as they are good value at only £5.99. Varieties include Cuphea hyssopifolia and Lonicera nitida Moss Green. We do have 10 to 12 year plants as well, and sometimes even older, but the price reflects their age, as they run from £39.99. There is a range of sundries to go with the plants, such as training wire, food, seed and containers. You may wonder why I say a present for a man, but the majority of bonsai fans are men!

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Bedding Plants

The bedding season is nearly at an end, but there is now a good selection of pot grown bedding which are excellent for filling in those gaps in the garden, use in hanging baskets or containers. Some can also be used as houseplants. Those looking particularly good at the moment are Geraniums, Begonias, Double and Firefly Series Impatiens, Dahlias, Argyranthemum, Pentas, the deep purple leafed Perilla which planted along side Cineraria look stunning. Fuchsias are now coming into their own and there are one hundred and fifty varieties to choose from, with approximately twenty five of these being hardy. One I particularly like is the hardy variety Hawkshead with its dainty white bell shaped flowers, but others prefer the more traditional colours of pinks and purples.

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Garden Furniture, Lawn Candles

If we ever do get any good weather we shall want to sit around in the garden and, of course, enjoy the pleasures of a bar-b-que. If you are one who gets attacked by biting insects we have some rocket like citronella lawn candles which really are effective at driving away the beasties. At £1.99 each it is worth investing in some so your evening is not marred by itching red bites. We still have an excellent range of garden furniture available. Some of the lines we stocked at the beginning of the season are now out of stock so we have in some new interesting lines such as a hardwood round 'Bistro' table with four folding 'director's' chairs at £259, or a rectangular table with six chairs at £312. Our range of parasols has increased as the season has progressed, these including some excellent bargains. For instance a 3 metre white parasol at £45.50 (normally £91) or a 2.1 metre at £34.10 (normally £49.90).

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Aquatics

For those with water features, if you are wanting to stock your pond with fish there are two special offers available at the moment. Firstly if you buy 5 small 2-3 inch Koi Carp you will get one more free, or if you buy 2 of the 4-5 inch Koi you will receive free fish food to the value of £3.99. New in are Yamatoa Shrimps which are excellent for eating all type of algae in fresh water tropical tanks. Another bargain in the aquatics department will soon be ready, and that is home grown lilies which will be selling at £10.00 each.

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Buckingham Horticultural Society's Summer Show

Next weekend we shall be hosting the Buckingham Horticultural Society's Summer Show. There will be no entrance fee to the show, so do come up on Sunday afternoon where there will be wonderful flowers and plants on show. It is worth a visit for the perfume of the roses alone!

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Chenies Manor Show

The following weekend, the 23rd July we shall be exhibiting at Chenies Manor. If you have not visited this show we would strongly recommend it. The gardens to the Manor are wonderful, the house fascinating and the Garden Show another bonus. Last year we were blessed with sunshine all day long - I wonder what this year will bring! Chenies Manor is on the A404 between Chorleywood and Little Chalfont. The plant Fair is open from 10.00 until 5.00 and the house from 2.00 till 5.00. There is an entrance fee of £3.00 to the Fair and a further £2.25 to go into the house, but we can assure you it is well worth the money.

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