Serenity Nursery Blog

NEW HUES...

2012-03-04T02:36:00.002-08:00

Bring the fun indoors with brightly hued ceramics.

Give white furniture a lick of paint in your favourite bright colour.

lanterns and birdcages in cool aqua for outside on in.

Throughout or recent trips to China and Sydney whilst looking for new home and garden ware we couldn't help but notice a vibrant trend of bright hues such as aqua, orange, pink and yellow.

Our favourite colour combo is Turquoise and Tangerine. This colour combo will add zing to any natural space.

Cheeki SALE

2012-03-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

We are making room for new gift ware so we are taking

30% Off* Cheeki Stainless Steel drink bottles.

BPA FREE makes them safe to take outdoors or in the car.

* See instore for details

It's all a bit French.

2012-01-30T23:01:00.000-08:00

...Lots of wonderful French provincial finds around the nursery this week.

Our talented Jen created this display. I would love an outdoor room that looked just like this.

Images by Serenity Nursery

Bright Stuff

2012-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

We have a very pretty range of Indian home wares in at the moment. Beautiful embroidered cushions, bell wind chimes and silver carved plates will adorn your house or patio area.

Images by Serenity Nursery

Today in the nursery

2012-01-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

As I wander around the nursery today I am delighted by the intense tropical colours I see. Hibiscus, Mandevillas and fragrant frangapanis present them selves in all their beauty. Pop in today ans see for yourself.

Images by Serenity Nursery

Old school is cool

2012-01-26T00:51:00.000-08:00

A veggie patch on wheels. Isn't this image just adorable.

I love this. I don't know why but I have always loved old teacups, and the idea of incorporating them into a garden appeals to me.

Show off your old doily collection by making them into a table runner. It will look great on a rustic timber table.

Gypsophila commonly known as Baby's Breath was used extensively throughout the 80's and 90's in bridal floral decoration. The dainty white flowers fell out of fashion,but now it's back. In fact we have it growing in pots for sale right now. It will grow in the garden and creates a lovely soft border.

Sunflowers, gerberas, lavender and daisies are old school plants that are becoming more popular in the modern garden. An old bath tub planted in up in all your favourite flowering plants could be a cool way to garden.

Just add Water

2012-01-19T03:07:00.000-08:00

It's the perfect time to jazz up your pond or create a water garden with our extensive range of water plants.

Our two bath tubs in the nursery are chockers with water plants at the moment. Water lillies in pink, white, yellow and red. There are lots of oxygenating plants like the parrots feather to choose from. Floating Water lettuce adorn our water bowls.

Ask us about Manutec water plant fertiliser tablets (pictured above)

The Bridge Gets fresh

2012-01-13T23:39:00.000-08:00

Get your hands on some of the regions freshest produce at the Murray Bridge Farmers Market. It's a fabulous new market , located

alongside the Murray River at the wharf precinct.

There is a great mix of organic grown fruit, vegetables and produce all locally grown and made.

The Murray Bridge Farmers Market is open every Saturday 8:30am-12:30pm

A colourful array of fruit and vegetables tempt you in to each stall. Find a mix of stone fruit, citrus fruit, Jams, pickles and locally made olive oil.

Visit the skilled team at Obsession Coffee and enjoy a coffee or tea while you browse the market.

Obsession Coffee is a newly formed artisan coffee roaster based at Mypolonga.

Deb O'Connor brings her cooking skills to the market with an exotic mix of gourmet pies.

Try a crocodile, myrtle and champagne pie, Syrian Chicken or Spicy curry snapper pie.

Take home some Flavorino sweet tomatoes and try Oriana's Pasta sauce, made right here in Murray Bridge.

The best thing about this market is that you know that the produce is in season, so you know it will taste good. You can visit the market and be inspired to cook, just talk to the stall holders for ideas on how to use their produce.

Take home some hand made Italian bread and try Giuseppe's olive oil..

Mingle with the locals and enjoy the atmosphere on the river.

Green scene

2012-01-10T01:15:00.000-08:00

GO GREEN

When I designed my front garden three years ago I was determined to have

an all green garden. Green foliage with a hint of white flowers was the plan. This theme would go with my mist green roof and cream timber posts on my little cottage.

Green plants that I used in my garden pictured above:

Frangapani- Cream flowers, large broad green leaves.

Buxus Faulkner- Green foliage, excellent evergreen border.

Cycad- Palm ideal planted in urns or pots.

Escallonia Iveyi- White flowers, dark green foliage.

Viburnum- Excellent screen, White flowers

Hellebore " Ivory Prince"- Cream to green flowers

Viburnum Laurustinis- One of the hardiest hedging plants around. Will grow 3m + and can be pruned to suit your location. Here I have used the viburnum to screen the fence line. I planted them 1m apart and prune the tops regularly to promote bushy plants. Doing so has paid off as they formed a hedge quickly. I like to use Neutrog SeaMungus throughout the year to keep the hedge healthy. Neutrog sudden impact for lawns is also great for leafy plants.

Hellebore "Ivory Prince"- A gem in the garden. I have planted my "Ivory Prince" under my advanced frangapani trees, they provide part shade for this amazing plant. The flower starts off cream and changes to green ( pictured above).

I have blogged this picture before, Its a favourite of mine. I think it must remind me of our garden centre, with all of the life size elephants roaming around.

Green Ivy walls. I would never get sick of this sight.

Grow Green. Grow your own edibles not only for eating but for visual effect. Try a border of green kale, creeping thyme as a ground cover or feijoa as a hedge.

It's a green life. I found this image on Martha Stuart.com. and thought I might share it with you.

I absolutely love this. Try it yourself, by placing a few pavers in the garden and envelope them with a sea of green.

Green Ideas for planting in between pavers:

Dichondra- A small kidney shaped leaf that grows close to the ground ( available in seed or seedlings). Dwarf Mondo Grass, low growing dark green foliage. Creeping thyme, will take light foot traffic and will be fragrant too.

Duck Curry with Lime and coconut rice

2012-01-05T02:15:00.000-08:00

New years eve we made roast duck red curry. We borrowed Gordon Ramsey's red curry recipe from the book "Gordon Ramsay: Cooking for friends". Page 81 ( It is a recipe for fish curry we just made it with roast duck instead. ) It is really easy to make and has bold Thai flavours. Enjoy

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees. Pat the duck dry with a tea towel or paper towel. Rub sea salt into the duck skin, turning it over to season all areas.

Cut an orange in half and place both halves inside the cavity.

Sprinkle the skin with Chinese five spice (available from the spice section at most supermarkets). Rub it into the skin. Roast the duck on a roasting rack in the pre-heated over for 2 hours. Turn the duck over after one hour. Roast the duck breast side up for the last two minutes.

Making the Curry Paste:

It is easy to grow your own lemon grass. Here we have grown ours in a half a wine barrel. Pull the lemon grass stalks up like picking a spring onion. You will need 1 lemon grass stalk, finely chopped.

Chop up 3 garlic cloves.

De seed and chop 6-7 large mild chillies.

Put the above ingredients in a food processor. Add a 5cm piece or ginger peeled and chopped, a small hand full of coriander stems, 2 finely chopped kaffir lime leaves, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp ground turmeric and 3-4 tbsp water.

Whiz it up to make a smooth paste.

Grow basil quick and easy from seedlings. We have grown ours in a cement planter box under a sunny veranda. Basil makes the perfect garnish to this dish adding pungent flavour.

...Time to turn the duck!

Lime and coconut rice:
300g Thai fragrant rice, washed and drained
200ml coconut milk, mixed with 200ml water
Juice of one lime
2 kaffir lime leaves
Pinch sea salt

How to: Put all of the ingredients into medium saucepan. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and cover the pan. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid. Without removing the lid, turn off the heat and leave the rice to steam for 5-10 minutes.

Yum.

Palm sugar, Fish sauce and coconut milk are great to have on hand when making Thai food.

We decided to add some cherry tomatoes from our garden and seedless grapes, because they are in season.

Perfectly cooked duck.

Heat a little oil in a pan or wok. Add the curry paste and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes over low heat, just until the paste smells fragrant.

Pour in the coconut milk and water, then stir in the palm sugar and fish sauce. bring the liquid to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the suger.

The best part is chopping the duck.

Add the duck to the curry. Stir in a half a cup of cherry tomatoes and a half a cup of red seedliess grapes. Add the basil leaves on top of each bowl of curry.

This is magnificent. Do try!

Peace

2011-12-30T02:43:00.000-08:00

Happy

New

Year.

Wishing you Peace, Good health, happiness, and all you wish for in 2012.

...and hopefully some time spent in the garden.

Thanks for stopping by at Serenity Nursery's Blog this year.

Stayed tuned in 2012!!

Today

2011-12-26T22:21:00.000-08:00

Wishing I had time off to do the things I love.

Ho Ho Ohh!

2011-12-23T03:25:00.000-08:00

It's time for me to go.

Christmas Eve tomorrow.

Hope to see you at the nursery for a last minute "Unique" gift idea.

Merry Christmas.

A note of advice...

2011-12-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

Water wise Tip #1

The Best of Christmas...

2011-12-18T01:05:00.000-08:00

Watching a movie with a Christmas theme to get you in the mode.

Giving to those in need and to your loved ones.

Putting up Christmas lights and decorating the garden ready for guests.

Buying or making special decorations for your Christmas tree

Christmas Partys and catching up with family and friends.

Baking yummy treats. Ginger bread buscuits are always our family favourite.

Leaving Milk and Cookies out for Santa and being too excited to sleep.

Putting up the Christmas tree and seeing the lights go on for the first time.

...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

2011-12-11T01:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally got my Christmas Tree up. It's not a traditional tree, in fact it took me just a few minutes to put together. I bought two really large glass bottles from a garage sale a while back, just because I liked them. So one one them has been used to hold a big olive tree branch that i cut from the tree in my back yard...

We have so many divine Christmas decorations in our gift shop at the moment and I choose these cute feather birds to sit in the tree.

I have been personalising a few gifts with an alphabet stamp set. Brown craft paper looks great with a crisp white bow.

Pine Cones that I found in the neighbourhood add a festive touch.

My timber table has adjustable drop down sides, well I pulled them up and placed gifts underneath..perfect.

Enjoy your Christmas Preparations

Krystal

It's all about Teak at serenity Nursery

2011-12-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

A new shipment of unique garden art has arrived into the nursery. I adore these over sized teak ball sculptures- They remind me of something Brendon Moore would put in his garden designs.

Our teak comes from a sustainable source and is ideal for outdoor use. The dove cotes are available in white too.

As you drive in to the garden centre you will be greeted by Life-size horses made from teak wood chips.

Classy planter boxes. Ideal for a front entrance.

Quirky mushroom sculptures to add a touch of fantasy to your garden.

Deck the Halls

2011-12-02T03:27:00.000-08:00

...Just a little inspiration for decorating your house this Christmas.

Have you popped into Serenity Nursery and seen all of our divine Christmas decorations?

This year the gift shop looks like a winter wonder land with white cane stars, glistening decorative birds, cute cut out angels and so much more.

See you in the nursery soon.

Krystal

This weekend C.I.Y Projects

2011-12-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

C.I. Y ( Create it Yourself) Project 1-

Find an old bike in a junk shop or garage sale and plant the basket up with cascading petunias and small cottage plants.Use a coconut fibre liner to help hold soil and moisture. Sit the bike in the garden, for a touch of quirkiness.

C.I Y project 2- Do you have any old boots laying around?
Maybe some old Dr. Martins?
Fill them up with a quality potting mix and plant succulents or nasturtiums in them.
The more weathered and aged the boots get, the better they look.

Images via Only Cutes

Climbing Spinach

2011-11-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

Come in store and grab yourself some climbing spinach. This unusual spinach is a perennial making an ideal vegetable to have on standby for when your regular spinach goe to seed.

Climbing Spinach is yummy in Stir frys, stews and salads.

Ornamental Pear Tree

2011-11-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

My newly planted Pyrus ussuriensis ( Manchurian Pear)

The Tree 3 years on surrounded by perennials

Pyrus ussuriensis, or Manchurian Pear are deciduous Trees that form a large shade canope through the warmer months. It is the perfect tree to shade a hot area and will drop its leaves in winter to let much needed light into your house and garden. I have positioned one in my garden in the far right ( pictured here) , it's a lovely specimen. Manchurian Pears will tolerate a hot sunny spot and they are available in many forms including the popular upright form "Capital", which are ideal for drive ways and used extensively as Street trees in the Murray Bridge area.

2011-11-27T02:04:00.000-08:00

Image via absolutely beautiful things

My Summer Garden

2011-11-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

I was absolutely thrilled when I spotted my first frangipani flower this season. My two established plants didn't flower last year after a funny season with the weather.

Succulents are easy to grow and have maximum effect in the garden with bold colours and forms. I have this dark purple one planted in Serenity's rust urns.

My Lantana plant grows like mad and needs a good trim back every so often to keep it controlled.

Tomato plants are planted in half kegs, provincial urns and any where there is room and enough sunlight.

One of the super cute pigs that I picked up at the nursery. This one was looking up at me saying "take me home" now I have three pigs.

Pretty white cottage

2011-11-27T00:17:00.000-08:00

Box hedge, topiary and lush lawns surrounding a super cute white cottage. I die.

Image via Absolutely Beautiful Things

My experience with transplanting

2011-11-26T23:25:00.000-08:00

Today I removed four buxus microphylla faulkner hedges from my planter box. I have a box hedge planted at the front of my cottage, bordering the paths and needed some more to finish the job. The box hedge in the planter box was becoming pot bound and the four plants came out together when I pulled them up. I then used a pruning saw to separate each one.

Once the box plants were separated I pruned the roots down to a more manageable size to re-plant. I used Plants Plus Groganic ( An organic compost) to help improve the soil structure.

Once they were all planted I watered them in well with SeaGold Liquid kelp, a health tonic which distresses transplanted plants.

The Buxus Faulkner lines the pathways. This variety is particularly hardy to cold and heat and performs better then an English box. The buxus faulkner is available now in a variety of different sized pots.

Serenity Nursery Top Tip: Use a lawn fertiliser such us Neutrogs Sudden Impact for Lawns on leafy hedges like Buxus Faulkner or English box. It is organic based and high in nitrogen to help promote lots of leafy growth. It's a great product for lawns and all non-flowering plants.

Pictured here ( along the back) is my much loved Escallonia Iveyi hedge. I love it, It's an old fashioned plant but it has really dark green glossy leaves and stark white flowers through Spring and Summer. It is really hardy and will grow in full sun and coastal conditions. They can grow up to 3 meters, but at this stage I like to keep it about a meter tall. I give mine a really good drink of SeaGold Liguid kelp through prolonged summer heat waves.

Yes to Country Gardens

2011-11-23T02:23:00.000-08:00

I want a chook pen like this, it's a bit fancy. It looks so pretty surrounded by roses and a cottage garden.

This is just perfect.

A driveway lined with London Plane trees, yes please.

Classic Whites

2011-11-15T02:14:00.000-08:00

Mum's standard rose surrounded by pink ground cover roses, agapanthus, a coprosma hedge and rock rose Cistus. A fuss free low maintenance garden..great for busy mums..

I don't think you can beat classic white Iceberg Roses, with their lush green foliage, ability to be stronger and more resilient than allot of roses. Teamed with a green box hedge white roses can look elegant and classy.

What to do with your flowering roses now:

Continue to dead head them through out the flowering months to help promote new flowers. Just cut the spent flowers back a bit more than just the bud or flower itself.

Fire star Rose

2011-11-15T01:59:00.000-08:00

Fire star rose growing in front of Serenity Nursery's sandstone retainer wall.

Fire Star is a very special rose which was produced to remember the victims of the Victorian Black Saturday Fires. The story of fire Star is an unusual one in that most roses are produced from cuttings but this one was produced by seed. The rose is a solid peachy/ Orange fading to a raspberry as the rose ages. A must for all rose lovers and proceeds go the the CFA.

You are my Sunshine..

2011-11-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Our metal saying signs will make a quirky touch for a bedroom, living or kitchen wall. They are over a meter tall each so they would make statement in a row.

image via Serenity Nursery

Martha's Garden

2011-10-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

A perfect boxed garden owned by Martha Stuart.

Bay trees have been used throughout her gardens. They can be hedged or let it grow into a medium-sized evrgreen tree. They are hardy once established, look great in Tuscan or Enlish style gardens and the leaves can be used in cooking. We have a good range in the nursery including standard bay trees.

The Nursery Today

2011-10-26T01:39:00.000-07:00

I put this little display together the other day with our new metal furniture and Parisian cushions.

...very true.

2011-10-24T02:58:00.000-07:00

Make this!

2011-10-24T02:40:00.000-07:00

A recycled wooden spool had been transformed into a nifty book shelf- slash- coffee table. Heart it!

image via countryliving

Interior inspiration...

2011-10-24T02:34:00.000-07:00

Looove this coffee table and the whole room. It just looks so comfy to live in. Check out our teak coffee table in store.

Floral Fantasy

2011-10-24T02:28:00.000-07:00

If you have been following this blog you would have seen our succulent chair that we made for the nursery, well here is one that I found at JapaneseGarden. I love it and want to make one like this too. The impatiens look great planted in this chair. Krystalxx

Hometown & Abroad

2011-10-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

Krystal with her chili art installation.

Have you popped over to our other blog ' Hometown & Abroad'. It show cases Krystal James photography, art, life and travel pics.

Head over Heels

2011-10-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Our wonderfully quirky tin stillettos are back after popular demand.

They retail at a very cool price of $29.95.

Thank you Mikyla for featuring them in Adelaide Hills Magazine, a little while back, now everyone is asking for them.

Dine Divine

2011-10-22T03:42:00.000-07:00

..A few ideas to dressing your outdoor table settings this Spring.

Grow Gorgeous Lettuce

2011-10-22T03:29:00.000-07:00

It's salad time and a great time to grow lettuce. Choose a pick and eat variety that allows you to pick what you need and the remaining plant will grow thicker and healthier. Feed your lettuce with a liquid fertiliser such as Power Feed every couple of weeks and make sure they get plenty of sunshine.

Ask us instore about our tips on keeping earwigs and snails away.

image via Oasis Horticulture

Roses in Bloom.

2011-10-22T03:12:00.000-07:00

It's a great time to shop for roses in spring. The flowers are in bloom so you can assess the colour, form and fragrance of each variety. We have a good range of bush and standard roses in now.

Note:

2011-10-22T03:02:00.000-07:00

...Including your garden.

Dress your home and Garden

2011-10-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

What about a lotus wall art for your garden wall or some bling for your bedroom walls.

Circle of friends, peaceful monk garden statues and candelabras to adorn your home.

Images of Serenity Nursery

Bird's for Picasso

2011-10-18T03:01:00.001-07:00

Above: Pablo Picasso in his studio.Pablo designed the bird of peace and it was a popluar icon used in the post war peace movements in the late 1940's.

Bring peace to your home with a Picasso inspired bird of peace wall hanging. These lovelys are floating around the nursery right now.

Morning Muse

2011-10-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

I found this image at Japanese flower garden this morning and thought I would share it with you. I adore the combination of rustic hessian, twine and terracotta.

Have a great day.

A day in the garden

2011-10-16T01:44:00.000-07:00

I found some ruby red rhubarb growing in the veggie patch and had a sudden desire to bake with it. I always loved it when my Nan would stew up rhubarb and we would eat it with ice cream so this is what I did..

Picked the rhubarb and heading back to the kitchen

Washed and chopped it up.

Sprinkled with sugar and dobbed with butter

Made the crumble with brown sugar and oats

Once its baked, serve with vanilla icecream, yum.

For the full recipe: Rhubarb Crumble

Spring Planting

2011-10-16T00:48:00.000-07:00

While I was making Rhubarb pudding my husband attended to the veggie patch.

Tim made a tomato trellis using timber stakes and wire.

Planting lots of new veg. to our existing patch so we can continue to harvest throughout the year.

After all the seedlings were planted Tim used Seagold liquid kelp to help establish the vegetables.

What veggies to plant in Spring:

Tomatoes, Capsicums, Pumpkins, Lettuce, Eggplant, Chillies, Spring Onion, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Garden peas, Beans

Lots of vegie seedlings and Seeds in store now see you soon.

Designer Plants

2011-10-14T02:49:00.000-07:00

A snap shop of one of our plant displays. We have teamed bright green dianellas in black glossy pots. Black mondo grass surrounds the pots and a dwarf native Conostylis Candicans with it silver foliage and yellow flowers sits in front.

Cordyline 'Sundance'. It's been a popular one for years and years now. Excellent in pots and suitable for patios and verandas.

Featured in this pot is a Cordyine Electric Pink.

Come in and see all of our designer plants today.

Love my Sloggers

2011-10-14T02:03:00.000-07:00

I can't live with out my Sloggers. I have them by my back door and when when I need to go out to the garden to pick some herbs or water my plants there they are waiting for me all bright and cute.

Premium Garden Shoes

Made in the USA, designed and built in Italy. Water resistance. Massage and relax ,soothing comfort make them perfect for the garden, kitchen, beach, health spa, or poolside. Sizes 6 - 10 Red and Berry in store now.

Basil is Back

2011-10-14T01:51:00.000-07:00

The weather is warming, the BBQs have started and we are enjoying life out doors more. No more winter stews or soups we are now opting for fresh salads and fruit. and my Favourite Spring sensation is Basil. Everyone who cooks should grow basil now. It is so versatile in so many dishes. It teams perfectly with tomatoes and here is a salad that I make all the time.

It is so fresh and easy to make.

Basil and Tomato Salad

You Will Need:

Tomatoes

Basil leaves

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar.

How to:

Slice tomatoes into rounds and spread over a decorative plate.

Tear basil leaves and scatter over tomatoes.

Drizzle with olive oil and a little Balsamic.

Season with Salt and Pepper.

Enjoy Krystal xx

....So true

2011-10-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

Via Pretty Stuff

DIY Garden projects

2011-10-10T02:36:00.000-07:00

I really like these little home-made tin can planters the way they are all crumpled and then painted.

Light globes are re-used as quirky hanging vases.

Creative ways to Recycle

2011-10-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

Use empty coffee tins as mini planters. Drill a few holes in the bottom, fill with soil and plant succulents, impatiens, cacti or herbs in them.

Do you have wooden boxes laying around? Make them useful. Store newspapers or firewood in them or...

Plant herbs and veggies..

Stack them up for a rustic storage solution.

Image 1 Beautiful Simple Things, Image 2 unknown Image 3 Crumpled envelope, Image 4 Bright bazaar

Salvia ' Wendy's Wish'

2011-10-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

Close up of the flower on my outdoor feature wall.

Salvia 'Wendys Wish' Growing in my own garden in a full sun position. It teams well with lavender.

My 'Wendys Wish' is also surrounded by hardy native lomandras, aloes, carrex grass, lambs ear, flax and succulents. I choose hardy plants with interesting foliage colour and texture.

Salvia 'Wendys Wish' is a low water use perennial that flowers most of the year. Plant en masse for a low maintenance garden, in a mixed gardens or in a large container.

It will grow approx 80cm x 80cm.

New Release this Spring

2011-10-07T01:46:00.000-07:00

Tulbaghia 'Dark Star'

Tulbaghia Border Stars are grass-like hardy perennials with a clumping habit. There are several varieties in the collection and the two new releases ' Milky Way' and 'Dark Star' that have caught our eye this spring.

'Dark Star'
This variety features mauve-pink tubular flowers that are a deeper shade in the centre of each flower. Its buds also have a good depth of colour. 'Dark Star' grows and flowers well in both dry and boggy conditions. It blooms for many months from early spring and is at its best during warmer weather.

Tulbaghia 'Milky Way'

'Milky Way'
Developed in-house by PGA, this beautiful addition to the Border Stars™ range has been chosen for its hardiness and reliability under difficult conditions. It tolerates both dry and wet conditions and produces masses of soft pink, tubular, star-shaped flowers on tall, slender stems over a long period from early spring.

Images and text(altered slightly) by PGA

A little luxury

2011-10-07T00:52:00.000-07:00

We hear the beeps of the truck reversing into the garden centre... What delivery have we got today? Two lovely arm chairs to add to our shop display.

Gift and home wares are literally arriving everyday now and dare I say we are getting ready for a huge Christmas. You will not be short of Christmas ideas this year with all of our amazing new things.

A few of my favourite things...

2011-10-06T03:18:00.000-07:00

I really do love this hessian wall picture with the image of a spoon and fork ( $77.95). I would hang it on my mustard wall at home...also love the new natural range of aprons, perfect for a country kitchen. Rustic French look garden pillows lg. $43.95 Sm. $34.99

Lovely Hessian photo boards with stamp motif, Small cotton upholstered foot rest, Love wire wall art, and my favourite piece the red flower ruffle cushion ($37.95).

Inovative Gardening

2011-10-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

Grow bulbs in your lawn to form a word or a shape. when they flower it will look amazing.

Having lunch outdoors? why not add a little drama to your table setting and string up colourful flowers in galv. pots.

Add a quirky element to your lawn area like this! Petunias would work beautifully.

Build a living sofa and relax outdoors.

Pretty Things

2011-10-04T03:42:00.000-07:00

Lots of lovely new seasons hand bags, scarves and jewellery instore now.

Scarves from $8.99

Handbags from $34.95

Stirling Silver & Fashion Jewellery at fabulous prices.

Image Serenity Nursery

New Product

2011-10-01T02:45:00.000-07:00

Yates Confidor Tablets Garden Insecticide protects roses, azaleas, lillypillies, palms, magnolias and eucalypt trees against significant damage caused by aphids, azalea lace bug, psyllids, mealybugs and scale.
Confidor is systemically taken up from the tablet via the plant roots to control insect pests. The nutrients in the tablet assist uptake of Confidor by the roots and enhance plant growth.

Features

Systemic insecticide
Provides extended protection against insect pests in ornamental plants
Easy to use – No spraying or mixing
Provides months of protection
Contains added fertiliser to help plant growth

Text & Images- Yates.com.au

Pictured here is an Australian Lilly Pilly showing signs of Psyllids, a tiny sap sucking insect. These insects can cause a dimpled effect on foliage. It is sometimes difficult to control psyllids and we suggest using Yates Confidor Insecticide Tablets.

Better still select a lilly pilly form that is Psyllid Free.

Pictured here is an indoor plant covered in Mealybug. Mealybug appear like white cotton wool tucked in plant crevesis or along the stems and leaves. This can be a common occurance on indoor potted plants and palms. The Yates confidor tablets would be ideal to pushed into the pot plant or used at planting time. The tablet would last upto 6 months. What a great idea- no spraying required.

Tip: Give your potted indoor plants a break from the indoors, place them outdoors for a couple of days every month or so to give them fresh air. Indoor plants in a well ventilated area will be less prone to pests such as meallybug.

Available instore Now.

Country Style Vs Coastal Style

2011-09-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

Country Style

Gravel Pathways
Rambling Roses
Tuscan Teracotta
Garden Sheds
Pretty Cottages

Coast to Coast

2011-09-30T03:42:00.000-07:00

A little bit of Coastal Style:

Beige, White & Blue
Natural woven materials
Raw Timber
Casual Comfort
Lots of Light

I think I'm still a country girl at heart

Living Sculptures

2011-09-27T04:30:00.000-07:00

Those of you who haven't seen our planted succulent chair in the garden centre, I would like to share it with you. We made this quirky living sculpture from scratch using an old wooden chair that we salvaged from a garage sale. We removed the padded seat and replaced it with flexible plastic mesh forming a shallow bowl shape. This was the covered with shade cloth. The bowl or pocket was then filled with a specialised succulent potting mix and small succulents were planted. We selected taller growing succulents and low growing forms such as sedums. A staple gun will come in hady to staple the mesh and shade cloth on.

Retro Plants

2011-09-27T03:57:00.000-07:00

A bit of inspiration from my travels abroad. This 1950's/70s? hotel boasts some excellent retro plants. I adore the succulents dripping over the edge of the balcony's.

The circular wire balls with a climber in each one is a magnificent idea. Imagine growing a flowering mandevilla or an ivy in a huge wire ball to hang in your patio.

Image by Krystal James

Grow your own Plant Sculpture

2011-09-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

I saw this quirky garden sculpture at a theme park in Italy this June. I would love to try this in the garden centre. It looks like they have used the base of the car and built a wire frame over it. I think any self clinging or fine climber would work well grown over the frame. Succulents and plants would also look great but they would need soil pockets to grow.

Waste Not Want Not- Natural ways to garden.

2011-09-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

1. Pencil Pines in a row or up a driveway can look impressive and are extremely water wise.
2. Lavender and salvias will grow well in an old bath tub.
3. Seedlings are available in biodegradable pots and can be planted straight into the ground.
4. Do you have a large glass jar or old fish bowl laying around? Plant in it and keep it indoors.
5. Gorgeous berry pie...from home grown berries we hope!
6. Succulents can look fab planted in an urn and are easily propagated from cuttings.

Word Art

2011-09-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

Above: One of our show room displays by our instore interior designer. Jen has mixed black and white wall art with earthy timber elements.

Image above via (This Pretty Space). Worded signs are huge at the moment.

As Dorothy would say..This quirky tin wall plaque is instore now.

Resident Dog

2011-09-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

Indoors or Out

2011-09-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Our new shipment included this lovely teak garden bench. Teak is a wonderful timber that can be left outdoors to weather if you choose. If untreated it will weather to a silvery grey which takes on a french country look. Alternatively the timber can be oiled to retain the golden colour.Pictured alongside is our teak Suar Stool-oh so comfy spot to rest in the garden.

I found this image at Bright Bizarre. I would love any of these items in my house. Hey!..that's the red clock that we currently have in store.

This is an amazing sculpture hand carved from teak. We have three in store and they would look fabulous indoors or out. Each leaf is unique.

Modern Ethnic-Shop Display Today

2011-09-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

I was in my element setting up this display for our advertising campaign for Adelaide Hills Magazine- Spring Addition. Colour is making a come back.

A mix of rustic handmade urns that we have imported sit well against our charcoal wall. Over-sized bird cages, metal peacocks, mirrors and wall art add to the maximalism effect that we are know for.

Serenity Style

2011-09-18T05:51:00.000-07:00

My dad and brother started making cement statues, urns and garden wares in the late 90's for their business Serenity Garden Stone. Today the range has expanded to pavers and landscaping. There are so many classic pieces that still exist, which I love, like the rust wall plaque. Dad painted this old bathtub and his hand made cherubs with Porters rust paint. He has a knack of putting displays like this together really quickly and they look great.

Picture Above is of our showroom display with an interesting mix of wall art and home furnishings.

In Bloom Now

2011-09-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ameria 'Bees Ruby' is a low growing perennial ideal for borders, Japanese gardens, pots and rockeries. Amerias are an excellent plant for cut flowers and require very little maintenance.

Dianthus 'Sugar Plum' has fragrant and frilly flowers with deep cherry markings appearing through Autumn and Spring. This low water use plant will grow to about 40cm and is great in small urns and mixed garden beds.

The range of 'Ruffle' Lavenders are really pretty. This one is Lavender 'Sweetberry' . It is bred in Australia making it ideal for our climate and it is rather compact making it suitable for a pot or low border. Come in and see the range today.

Think Pink

2011-09-11T03:26:00.000-07:00

We love our kitsch pink flamingos, perfect for a tropical garden or parties.

They are flying out at our special price of $15ea

First Image: Turquoise and Tulips, Second Image: Serenity Nursery

What to do with excess lemons

2011-09-11T02:26:00.001-07:00

Tip: Place a lemon cut in half in the top draw of your dishwaher just befor you set it to wash. Your dishes with come out sparkling clean and the entire machine will smell better.

Lemon curd tartletts with candied lemon rind from Good Taste Magazine. Recipe can be found at Taste.com.au

Another idea is

Lucky Bamboo

2011-09-08T02:34:00.000-07:00

Add some Zen to your living area with Lucky Bamboo. Lucky bamboo is not actually a bamboo, it's from the dracaena family( a plant found in the tropics). Lucky bamboo is so easy to care for making in a popular indoor plant. They are available potted in soil or will grow in a vase of water.

Choose a spot out of direct sunlight. A well lit bathroom or kitchen is ideal.

In the nursery now.

Native Beauty

2011-09-07T03:02:00.000-07:00

Make a statement in your garden with Isopogon 'Candy Cones'. It's an Australian native featuring spectacular large mauve-pink cone flowers. Like many natives it is drought hardy, easy to grow and a low water use plant. Isopogon 'Candy Cones' can be grown as an informal hedge or in large containers. In the nursery now.

Garden Ideas this weekend

2011-09-02T00:24:00.000-07:00

I know we will have a busy weekend in the garden centre, It's the very start of spring, the birds are chirping, the sun is out. It is the perfect time to be outdoors and spending time in the garden.

Here are some garden ideas to do this week end:

1. Plant some Avalanche Petunias into recycled pots

2. Fertilise your roses with Neutrog Sudden Impact for Roses

3. It's warming up give your pot plants and garden a treat with Seagold seaweed tonic.

4. Hang some decorative lanterns or wall art in your patio

5. Last chance to purchase roses and ornamental trees at great prices ( before we pot them up). Plant a shade tree to enjoy for the years to come.

6. Plant some veggies seedlings. Capsicums, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Cucumber and Zucchini are just a few ideas of what can be planted now.

Bye for now have a wonderful weekend xx

Boronia Heaven Scent

2011-09-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

"What is that beautiful perfume?" is a frequent question floating around the garden centre at the moment. Boronias are in full flower and the perfume is just divine. This one pictured is Brown Boronia megastigma 'Heaven scent'. It is one of the most perfumed boronias around. We also have a hot pink boronia called 'Lip stick", which has the most amazing hot pink flowers. Boronias are ideal grown near doorways to enjoy the fragrance as you are coming and going.

Get Ready to Garden

2011-08-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some snaps from our garden centre today. We have new ladies goat skin leather gardening gloves and a deluxe new gardeners hand care range to inspire you into the garden. Our azaleas are in full bloom and looking fantastic.

Pretty Petunia Time

2011-08-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

Petunia Avalanche in white

Petunias

It's that time of year again, time to plant petunias. If your annuals are looking spent and tied it might be a good time to replace them with fresh new seasons petunias.

Petunias Avalanche are a cascading or spreading petunia which produce a mass flowers throughout the warmer months. They are perfect for retaining wall plantings and hanging baskets as the flowers spill over the edges creating drama. Petunia Avalanche are also an excellent bedding and border plant.

Get Dirty with Milton

2011-08-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Set to air just in time for spring is an exciting new gardening show "Get Dirty with Milton". It will be hosted by South Australian garden expert Milton Vadoulis. Milton has such a enthusiasm for gardening and has been in the industry for over 30 years. There are lots of gardening tips and he will take you through some of SA's best gardens.

So don't forget to watch the very first episode Wednesday 31st August at 8pm on Chanel 44. We were lucky enough to watch a preview at the launch night this week and it's a fantastic show,

with a few laughs too.

Foliage Effects

2011-08-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

In now is a great selection of foliage plants including Euphorbia "Silver Swan". It's a great little water wise plant that does not need to be pruned. Creamy flowers are produced late winter through to spring. It looks great mixed with other foliage plants such as red nadinas and variegated dianella grasses.

Eternal Fragrance Daphne

2011-08-25T23:37:00.000-07:00

There is a new daphne out now called daphne 'Eternal Fragrance'. This particular form of daphne is sun and heat tolerant and will not scorch like old fashioned daphnes. It is compact growing to a height of 60cm. It makes an excellent low border and is great in a pot. Best of all it has an incredible fragrance we all know and love. Instore now.

Textural Elements

2011-08-23T03:57:00.000-07:00

Sedum 'Purple blog' is a fab purple hued plant that grows as a mounding ground cover. drama can be created when the plant is grown in a pot or over a retainer wall as it will spill over the edges. Texture and colour can be added to rockeries, gravel areas and dry spots in the garden. Sedum 'Purple blob' is a succulent making it an extremely water wise plant.

2011-08-22T03:50:00.000-07:00

Buddha Bum Candles

2011-08-22T01:16:00.000-07:00

About Buddha Bum

Arrived on our doorstep today is lovely new range of high quality candles by Buddha Bum. Everyone is oohing and aahing over the divine fragrances which include Lemon grass, Rose, Sweet pea, Fig & Melon,

Sweet vanilla and Guava.

Each candle has been hand poured in Melbourne and uses the highest quality certified organic soy wax. Soy wax is Eco-friendly and biodegradable and burns up to 50% longer than some other wax types making them better value. Our large size will burn for 70 hours. Come in and experience it for yourself.

Prince of the Garden

2011-08-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

Heleborus (Hellebore) 'Ivory Prince' is an elegant plant for the home garden. They are an easy to grow, vigorous perennial and look fabulous planted en mass under trees. Hellebore's flower through winter offering a flowering solution a shady spot in the garden. They are perfect planted under frangapani trees, when the tree has dropped it's leaves the under planting give an excellent effect. They also look great planted as a border and potted. Available now at our nursery.

Garden Jewels

2011-08-16T04:06:00.000-07:00

We have just had an exciting delivery of succulent arrive including the magnificent blue chalk sticks plant (pictured above). Succulents are ideal for hot dry spots in the garden and look fantastic in pots. If you have exiting potted plants under a veranda or out in the garden you can plant succulents around the base of the plant to add colour and texture and conceal exposed soil. The succulents will spread and act like a mulch in a way keeping the soil below cool.

The "chalk sticks" look fab planted around the base of frangapanis. Just be sure to team your succulents with plants that require similar water requirements.

Berry Good for You

2011-08-16T03:43:00.000-07:00

Well you all may have noticed that every time you see blueberries in the supermarkets they are very expensive, this is because blueberries have extremely delicate skin and can only be hand-picked from the bush, machines would damage them thus making them a labour intensive fruit to grow. Why not grow your own. Blueberries require an acidic soil so if your soil is too alkaline simply grow your blueberries in a container and use an acidic potting mix.

We have a great range of blueberries and acidic potting mix in store now.

image via bathwater

..3..2..1 Blast Off

2011-08-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

With Spring just around the corner it is the perfect time to give your garden a 'blast'.

Neutrogs Rocket fuel is a certified organic pelletised fertiliser ideal for your entire garden. Rocket fuel has been specially formulated to help you grow healthy organic fruit

and veggies. Skip in today and grab some, your garden will thank you for it.

Image via neutrog.com

The Modern Garden Shed

2011-08-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

This suburban garage has been modified to fit a potting area/ garden shed. Everything a gardener needs is in arms reach. Tin buckets conceal fertilisers & potting mixes. The generous sized ceramic sink and potting area makes an ideal spot for flower arranging.

image via country living.com

Dreamy Garden Wedding

2011-08-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

The September issue of Vogue showcases the wedding of Super model Kate Moss. Her beautiful 1920's inspired garden wedding is so dreamy. It reminds me of sunny Spring days, Spring flowers and making the most of spending time in the garden.

image via pretty stuff

Purple Craze

2011-08-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

What a talking point at the dinner table..purple carrots! but did you know that purple carrots have been in existence long before orange carrots and have been used for various purposes dating back to 2000bc. Purple carrots actually have more beta carotene than orange carrots so you can enjoy the health benefits along with it being a bit of a novelty.

Serenity Nursery have the seeds available now. See you in the nursery soon.

In the Nursery Today

2011-08-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

The staff at Serenity Nursery have been busy beatifying the show room. We love our natural green and white display highlighting our unique woven patio furniture.

Image via Serenity Nursery

Out Living

2011-08-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

Natural recycled timber tables, stools and woven chairs teamed with stylish garden wares set the scene for living outdoors this spring.

Image Via Serenity Nursery

Warm up with Hot Reds

2011-08-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Come in and see our new dispays of outdoor furniture. We have made a statement with this seasons hot colour RED!

Black & silver foliage and our new black water features are on dislplay now.

Images via Serenity Nursery

Have fun in the sun!

2011-08-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

Paint an outdoor feature wall, then match cushions, pots and even plants in the same colour to make an outdoor space pop.

Be adventurist and paint props like an old chair in a bright colour to add to your garden. For a quirky touch paint terracotta pots in your favourite hue and plant up with different herbs or flowers. An old wrought iron bed can make a beautiful outdoor daybed, and scour markets for old treasures to add to the mix.

Glamour Garden

2011-08-01T02:54:00.000-07:00

3 ways to a glamourous garden

The last couple of days have been so sunny and warm and it's a great chance to spend some time outdoors. Give your outdoor room or garden a luxe feel with a few accessories like white washed lanterns, scrumptious cushions and even a chandelier.

It's in your Hands

2011-07-30T01:48:00.000-07:00

Planet Arks National Tree planting day will be held 31 July this year

( that's tomorrow!!)

...The environment is in your hands, help the planet and plant a tree.

We can offer great advice on the most appropriate trees for your garden. We also stock a large range of mulches, pavers, pots and sculptures to help create a stunning landscape in your own private oasis.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunny weather xx

Image Alice lost in wonder

Love those Lemons!

2011-07-22T02:57:00.000-07:00

The lemons that grow in Positano are gigantic and sweet smelling. They are apparently very labour intensive to grow but have lots of healthy properties including vitamin c.

Image via Serenity Nursery

Plant Sales in Florence

2011-07-22T02:44:00.000-07:00

I found this little plant market in Florence quiet bazaar. It was set in the city centre near a train station. The plants where mostly plants suited to pots, perfect for those with no gardens.

Image via Serenity Nursery