Moving Plants around your garden Early Winter

Winter is the time to get your garden in order. The air is cooler so you can get stuck in without getting too hot and bothered, and if you’re moving plants around, then the combination of cool conditions and damp weather helps them to re-establish.

Take a good look around at what you have been growing already and work out what would look better. Think of it as living flower arranging.

Anthony Tesselaar, President of Tesselaar Plants, suggests you try to plant in multiples: ‘Odd numbers are good, at least three. Avoid lines, thinking instead of staggered arrangements. Keep taller things at the back and the shorter to the front.’


If you have had a dry autumn, make sure the plant you’re going to move has been watered the night before – you want it to be able to cope with a bit of a shock but you don’t want to be working in mud. The next day, dig a hole deep enough for the plant to end up at the same level as previously. When you dig up the plant, take up as much soil in a root ball as possible. Don’t hack at major roots and resist the urge to wrench it out. Pop it into the new hole, back-fill with soil or potting mix, and water well. Over the next week or so, keep an eye on the plant and water it if necessary.

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Remembering Garry Burges

We were sorry to hear that Garry Burges, Plant research leader, Plant and Food Research NZ, died earlier this year. The leader of the begonia breeding program passed away in June after a short illness.

Garry was a highly valued and respected friend, colleague and mentor to many. His gentle humour, courage, humility and humanity will be missed by many.

It was in ornamental crop research that Garry was probably most prominent. He quickly learned that the best looking plant might not be an instant industry success and there are many steps between the breeder and the consumer. Garry worked on several research programmes delivering novel technologies and new ornamental plants with fashionable forms and colours.

These plants included Leptospermums, and others such as Begonia ‘Bonfire’ and Limonium ‘Chorus magenta’ which won awards at international garden shows. Garry was proud of the begonia breeding program from which new varieties will continue to be released for years to come.

(Begonia Bonfire)

Phillip townshend of Tesselaar said ‘Garry has contributed to the resurgence in popularity of Begonia with gardeners through his work with NZ Plant & Food on the development of the Bonfire Begonia series. The dedication that Garry put into the breeding behind this highly successful Bonfire and new found popularity of Begonia as a genus with gardeners is because of Bonfires unique characteristics and versatility e.g. its ability to perform in full sun. The renewed interest in Begonia will hopefully be a fitting tribute to Garry’s contribution to the Bonfire breeding programme’.

You can find out more about Garry at http://www.ipps.org.nz/news/burge.htm

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Glee Winners

Tesselaar International wanted to celebrate the achievements at Glee 2009 with you, the biggest garden trade exhibition in the UK.

More than 250 entries were received for the 2009 Glee New Products Awards. In the nursery innovations category, Wyevale Nurseries was shortlisted for its Cortadetra Peate Plumes, along with John Woods Nurseries’ Hydrangea Twist n Shout and Diervilla Cool Splash. John Woods Nurseries won the award for its Coprosma Pacific Sunset, and judges Mike Burks, from Castle Gardens and David Curtis, editor of The Landscaper said: ‘The Coprosma offers really extraordinary colours. It’s also an evergreen so it offers two points of interest in the same plant. This is a must for all gardens and container planting.’

The Coprosma also impressed the judges of the Best of British Innovation category, Neil Gow, Director of GIMA and television gardener David Domoney, who added: ‘A British grown plant with unique and interesting foliage that is hardy and colourful all year round.’

In the home and gift innovation category, Taylors Bulbs was shortlisted for its Windowsill Herb Pot, and the winner of the Green Innovation award was The Master Herbalist: Seedbed Roll.

Link to the glee website to find out more about the event http://www.gleebirmingham.com/

Or to the shortlisted, Wyevale Nurseries for best new product http://www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk/

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