Hostas at $5.00ea.

Fruit Trees - New seasons arriving instore weekly

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$5 Specials

Excellent hedging and shrub specials $5 each

good sized plants

includes all flaxes - Hebes - Black mondo - Libertia -

Daylilies- viburnum - Prunus lusitanicus - Phebalium

cranberries - teucrium - choysia tenata - Pittosporums

Fejoa - lonicera - Corokia - Lopomyrtus - Agapanthus- Hydrangeas

Dahlias over eighty named varieties all $5 each

Hosta's - Daylilys - Huge range of varieties also @ $5 each

These specials can be freighted but are not included in the

freight free deal.

Banana box of up to 7 plants at a cost of $25 per box for freight

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Rhodos on special instore at $15

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 at least 20 % off all Fruit Trees - *in-store sales only

                                                Country Gardens Nursery is open to the public

EVERY DAY FROM 8AM until 5PM - 7 days

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  Paeony Roses instore now - All now reduced to $9.95

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 Pay a visit to Country Gardens on Marshland Road and you will discover one of the most extensive plant nurseries in Christchurch - if you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist!

Brian and Jacquie Stevens their daughters Gayle and Kim, son-in-law Mark and their various grand children, have developed the nursery over 20 years, but more recently began specialising in fruit trees, particularly old varieties, dwarf trees and grafted trees.

The interest in planting "things you can eat" has gathered momentum with the recession, and they have proved in their own garden at home, that vegetables and small fruit trees can be successfully grown in pots and tubs which will yield ample produce for a family's needs.

Beyond the orderly rows of rhododendrons, camellias, roses, natives, perennials, bulbs, buxus, trees, trays, herbs, nuts, seeds, flowers, foods and fertilisers, the selection of fruit trees reads like a horticultural history of luscious tastes and forgotten names; mulberry, quince, sloe plums, crab apples and plumcots, peach perfect Wiggins, Mary's Choice and Gordon's Glory, tangy Moorpark apricots and plump cherries.

Berry and currant bushes vie with apple varieties that take you back to past summers and Grandma's kitchen – never underestimate the power of nostalgia!

An average section can accommodate 10 or 12 different dwarf fruit trees that can be planted in the garden or in raised beds in a courtyard or paved area.

For urban townhouses where space is at a premium, grafted trees can provide variety by combining two or three fruits on one stem (apricot, peach and nectarine) or two different types of apples or pears.

Most dwarf trees are fully grown at 2 metres which can easily be reached for pruning, covering and picking. By planting now, you could have a modest crop this summer for fresh eating, jams or preserves!

Ensure there will be adequate sun for ripening unless you are planting currant bushes which prefer shade, says Brian "Your section can become more productive still by espaliering your fruit trees or planting them in Bonsai Bags".

To espalier apples, pears or cherries, string wires horizontally along a wall or fence 60cm apart, or choose a pattern to train the growth into a candelabra or fan shape.

Choose young dwarf trees with only a couple of branches and cut back the leader to where you want the lowest branches to form. The tree will branch out vigorously where you have cut it, so select the best three sprouts and pinch off the rest. When two sprouts reach 7.5cm long, begin tying them to the horizontal wires. But allow the other sprout to grow vertically up to the next wire and repeat the process. Trim shoots that grow out from the wall or fence and prune the horizontal espaliers frequently.

Alternatively, fill your Bonsai Bag with good potting mix with fine bark, humus and a slow/fast release fertiliser with trace elements. Avoid clay and saw- dust, but place a 25mm layer of sand or pebbles on top to retain moisture. Trim the roots to fit the bag and if necessary prune the tree to 4 feet. The bag will restrict the tree height from then on, while producing standard sized fruit in good quantities. 20 litre Bonsai Bags will need 7-10 litres of Water per week, whether you plant the bag in soil or place it on top of the ground, moving it for optimum sun or frost protection as necessary. For further information visit Country Gardens and discuss your garden requirements with the experienced garden centre staff.