Lucy’s news from the nursery:

Bunkers Bulb Bonanza has begun…the polytunnel is full of a huge selection of spring flowering bulbs - plant them this autumn to enjoy in the Spring. We have over 60 varieties of tulips to choose from, plus crocus, alliums, iris, anemones, mini daffs & more! We have had around 80% of our stock in this week with the remaining bulbs arriving next week. You can mix & match our home packs…£4 a pack (5 for £18) or if you need bulk quantities we also have them in 100s or 250s. My favourite variety of tulip this year is Jackpot with its attractive dark blackcurrant & white flowers. We also have a few new names this year including Iris ‘Pauline’ (the perfect gift for my grandma), Tulip ‘Washington’ & Tulip ‘Roi du Midi’.

This week we found an interesting creature perched on a piece of furniture & after a bit of detective work discovered it was a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly. Although these insects look like their namesakes they are harmless to us but use this mimicry to protect themselves from predators. In comparison, the Asian hornet is not a creature to be messed with, especially if you are a bee. They decimate honeybee populations as they prey on honeybees as they enter/exit the hive; killing & eating them. There has been a sharp increase in the number of sightings in the UK & DEFRA are urging any sightings to be reported. Asian hornets are smaller than our native hornets are can be identified by their orange faces, yellow-tipped legs & darker abdomens. We have a poster up on the kiosk with more information.

As we are entering into autumn & winter we will soon be advertising for seasonal staff to help with the bareroot season & Christmas trees. We will also be advertising for a supervisor position so keep a look out on our website & social media for more information soon.

This week’s highlights… Bulbs, seed pack sale, campsis, heptacodium, imperata, Asters, Japanese anemones, heathers, hebes, hardy geraniums, astrantia, cyclamen, pansies & more!

Some jobs for the garden:
* Research what bulbs you want to plant this year for a stunning spring display…maybe you want to create a pot display by using the ‘lasagne’ method of laying bulbs that have different flowering times.
* Sow grass seed in any patches in your lawn
* Keep deadheading perennials to keep them flowering throughout this warmish period

Wishing you all the best
Lucy
&
Andrew, Liz and Simon
?❤️
P.S. Next month our pumpkin fun will begin…keep a look on website & social media for updates ?