The Tesselaar Story

Anthony Tesselaar hints at the philosophy behind Anthony Tesselaar International, "Brilliant by Nature".

“Having grown up literally in the industry, I can see the value of de-mystifying the act of gardening for those who don’t happen to have the knowledge. Everyone should be able to enjoy the satisfaction and rewards that come from a garden.” We search for mother nature's brilliant plants - that are so easy to grow.

Happily, this personal philosophy has been rewarded with success – and everyone is benefiting. But first, a little history...

This is a section taken from the Tesselaar International website, with Anthony's views on de-mystifying gardening, so that everyone can enjoy it. To read more and find out the history behind Anthony Tesselaar International go to http://www.www.begoniabonfire.com/about/story/

Tesselaars Winter to-do List

What to do now:

Make the most of this time of year by getting planting when roots are quick to establish and there are no high temperatures to stress your plants

Lightly trim your hedges, or plant a new one. This is a bit of a science, so get hold of a book for reference

If you want to be knee-deep in bulbs by spring, you’ve still just got time to plant them before the frosts.

Have a general tidy up and give things a light trim, so the stark view over the winter will at least be orderly.

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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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A cascading fountain of colour, movement and fragrance - without any effort

Perfect in borders and grand landscapes and a fabulous contrast in rock or pebble gardens, the fantastic, new, ground cover Cordyline, ‘Festival Grass’, has beautiful, cascading deep burgundy foliage and flowers in late Spring with large, multi-branched panicles bearing hundreds of delicate, eye-catching, fragrant, pale lilac flowers.

Festival Grass comes to the UK from Tesselaar International (Tesselaar), the worldwide horticultural experts sourcing stunning, unusual yet easy-care plants. It is amazingly vibrant, low-maintenance and stunning whether it is on its own in a large patio pot or as part of a patio pot garden. It even performs well as an indoor plant in any well-lit situation and can be brought outside on the patio or deck in the summer.


So easy to grow!

The stunning Festival Grass is easy to grow and perfect for low-maintenance gardening. It can be planted in pretty much any free draining soil, pot or planter, without the need for messy or expensive fertilisers. It can thrive in full or partial sun and will even survive light to moderate frost. It is usually not susceptible to disease or pests, so requires practically no tending. When mature, Festival Grass spreads to 120cm and never grows more than 100cm in height – so it offers predictably stunning results without taking over the garden or creating lots of work to tend it.

Festival Grass is a Cordyline species, which are indigenous to Australia, New Zealand and the western Pacific Region. They are small trees or palm-like evergreen shrubs and are often referred to as the Cabbage Tree. This hybrid is unique as it does not grow into a tree.

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Begonia BONFIRE Chocolate Orange

Plant retailers wanting to offer gardeners an eye-catching flowering plant that can cope with the alternating downpours and heatwaves of recent British summers can now order the new Begonia BONFIRE Choc Orange™.

The new release comes from Tesselaar International (Tesselaar), the worldwide horticultural management and marketing company renowned for the successful sourcing and branding of high quality plants.

The bright orangey red flowers of Begonia BONFIRE Choc Orange™ cover up to half the plant and are a stunning contrast for the dark chocolate/plum foliage with red serrated edges.

The easy-care begonia has a rounded, bushy habit, growing up to 60 cm wide and 60 cm high in the garden. It also looks sensational in patio pots and planters, and adds drama to larger hanging baskets.

The new variety comes into bloom in late spring and will continue to shower gardeners with masses of bright orangey-red flowers through the summer until the first frosts of late autumn.

BONFIRE Choc Orange™ is extremely low maintenance, can be grown in full sun or partial shade, and is not afraid of summer rains or drier summer conditions. It is drought-tolerant and heat hardy, and is generally resistant to pests.


Specifications:
· Flower size- 50mm diameter
· Spacing - 50cm apart
· Temperature – performs best at 22°C during the day and 18°C at night
· Pests - generally not damaged by pests
· Special care - will benefit from digging and dividing every three years
· Pruning - branches naturally, will benefit from pinching to induce side branches and more compact spreading growth
· Soil - performs bests in a well drained friable soil or good quality potting mix
· Water - keep moist but not wet through the growing season. Tolerates periods of dryness.

The new variety is a perfect complement for the original Begonia ‘Bonfire’, which has bright orange-pink flowers against the same rich chocolate foliage, and the same trailing growth habit.

The recommended retail price ranges between £4.00 and £6.00 for smaller sized plants. Larger products such as hanging baskets will retail at a higher value depending on product size.

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