Monday 30 July 2007

Fantasy meadow success

Fantasy becomes reality.

What a contrast, last year our meadow at the New forest Show had to contend with roasting temperatures and parching winds. This year it was torrential rain and temperatures you’d expect in October rather than July. We worried that the flowers would go into winter mode and shut down completely. We could see some fungal problems developing due to the wet so you can imagine we were very edgy about how things would be looking when the show opened.

What a relief, on the opening day the rain stopped and the sun came out. Our flowers responded and put on an excellent show, especially the poppies. They are always a winner. The weather deteriorated for the second and third days but the fantasy meadow held up well and the public made it clear just what pleasure it gave to them – they said so.

‘The best thing at the show’ and ‘it’s so beautiful’ were typical comments.

Even in the pouring rain people were happy to queue at our little ‘shop’ to buy their packets of seeds for next year. The larger packs of seed were popular; you can expect to see some lovely patches of floral fantasy next year in neighbours’ gardens.

The seed mix we used this year was our own formulation, kindly blended by Suttons who were enthusiastic about the project and supportive of our efforts. The new blend has extra garden poppies and also has wild poppies to give reliable colour whatever the weather. The meadow plot at the New Forest show will keep flowering until the end of September, what a shame that only the rabbits and deer will be enjoying the late summer spectacle.

Fantasy meadow seeds are available in both of our garden centres ready for sowing next April
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Friday 27 July 2007

Sunny tuesday at the show



Bob Sawyer (Retail Director) enjoying the shade on the tuesday. The tin hut was just as good for keeping the rain off on wednesday and thursday.

Stewarts at the New Forest Show

New Forest Show 2007



The Stewarts stand at the New Forest Show was well received on the first day - in glorious sunshine and even in the rain of wednesday and thursday the public remained interested and full of excitement about the fantasy meadow.

The stand took first prize in the trade stands category and won the Maldwyn Drummond cup. The public were just as enthusiastic about the Fantasy Meadow as last year and sales of the special seeds was brisk. Full marks to the show staff for keeping things running as smoothly as possible given the mud everywhere.

Fantasy meadow seeds are available in both Stewarts garden centres in starter packs and in larger packs for those wanting to seed bigger areas.

Tuesday 24 July 2007

Our Nursery at the New Forest Show

Here are some of the exciting new plants on our Nursery stand at the 2007 New Forest Show


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Friday 20 July 2007

Come rain or shine...


Whatever the weather our stand at the New Forest Show has to be ready for Tuesday. In the downpours of Friday the 20th Rebecca and Sue were working away getting the plants settled in for their brief stay in the borders of our show garden.
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Monday 16 July 2007

Fantasy meadow - looking good

Our Fantasy meadow at the New Forest Showground is looking superb, 464v5566 it's hard to image it looking any464v5543 better, and that's a worry as there's another 10 days until the show begins. The garden area is still to be planted but the meadow was on perfect form for the Press day on friday.
It's encouraging to see a good lot of poppy buds ready to take over when the Gypsophila begins to go over. The Cosmos and Coreopsis are there as a failsafe in case we get very hot weather that pushes everything else on too quickly.
Our decision to hold off applying fertiliser appears to have paid off, the plants are strong and healthy and have withstood the downpours and wind very well.464v5589
The undergound irrigation hasn't been switched on since we sowed the seeds back in early May - I don't think we'll be needing it now.
The turf paths have been down for about 2 weeks and thanks to the wet464v5434 have taken very well.
We are very grateful to Suttons Seeds for blending the seed mix to our specifications and for sponsoring our effort at the show this year.
Thanks also to Susie Stewart for bringing some human interest to the meadow for press day - and also to Fudge, Susie's dog who was both decorative and well behaved.

Friday 6 July 2007

Phalaenopsis Orchids BOGOF

Delightfully pretty and remarkably resilient Phalaenopsis are are real hit. They are easy to care for and flower repeatdly with simple care. Until the end of July you can 'buy one get one free'

£12.99 ea.
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Perfect Penstemons

Look out for Penstemon 'Fujiyama' at Stewarts - as well as a whole range of other yummy varieties fresh from our own nursery. They'l flower until Autumn and if the drainage is good they'll come back year after year.
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It's a great time to buy Heathers

The rain and cool weather has helped the heather crop to look fresh, colourful and full of promise.The foliage varieties are showing off at the same time as many flowering ones are in bud and flower - a great time to choose varieties to complement one another. Just remember that the Callunas need an acid soil - that means heathy, sandy, the kind of soil that grows Rhododendrons well.
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Big Pots of Colour

If the weather has made you bedding plants look a bit tired then here's an offer that can help. Large pots of flowering bedding normally £2.99 each four for £10.00. Includes Celosia, Gazania, Vinca, Impatiens, Begonias etc. etc.
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New flecked Geranium - Avenida


We have just had our first delivery of this beautiful flecked flowered Geranium(Zonal Pelargonium). Lovely chunky plants with good bud for just £2.99!
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