End of Winter Sale

It's time for a sale; all premium shrubs & trees are discounted by a minimum of 20%, with some lines as much as 50%.

Check out these examples:-

Cordyline Torbay Dazzler 250mm

$26

 

Cordyline australis 250mm

$20

 

 

Photinia Red Robin 250mm

$18

 

 

 

Assorted rainforest trees 300mm

$28 - $36

 

 

Cooperi tree ferns 300mm

$28

 

 

Assorted Camellias 250mm

$28

 

 

Golden Cane & Majestic palms 300mm

$48

 

 

Large Rhapis palms 400 & 500mm

$360 - $480

 

 

Alcantareas $30

 

 

Fargesia 'Fortune' bamboo 250mm

$32

 

 

Stephanotis 250mm

$36

 

 

Metrosideros variegated 250mm

$20

 

 

Cascade Lillipilli 300mm

$28

 

 

Assorted 250mm natives

$16

 

 Plants are in limited numbers; be quick or miss out!

 

Heavily discounted items are only available as oddments, ie. in ones & twos.

 

These include:-

 

400mm Finger Lime $35

400mm Liquidamber (2) $35

300mm Plum Pine $15 SOLD

500mm Kauri Pine $40

250mm Melaleuca 'Powderpuff'(2) $10

500mm Cycas revoluta $200

300mm Leylandii Cypress (7) $15

300mm Buxus 'Harlandii' (6) $15

250mm Gardenia radicans (3) $10

400mm Leylandii Cypress $35

300mm Microcitrus australis $35 SOLD

(rare; bears round fruit)

300mm Tibouchina 'Allure' $17 (3)

300mm Native Broom $15

 

along with various other bits & pieces.

 

Sale runs all August.

 

Ring 041 531 3258 for more information.

Look forward to seeing you,

Russell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Bromeliad Sale.

The Niche is having a sale of Bromeliads starting this Easter Saturday, with a broad range of types represented. Stock will be updated as it becomes available or is sold. Prices range widely; something for everyone from the bargain hunter or landscaper to collector, for full sun to indoors:-

Loose Pups.

 

Various genera.

$5, $8 & $12 each.

 

 

Alcantarea

 

Great for landscaping. Bold garden features; use instead of Agave. Bright shade to full sun, depending on the variety.

 

Plenty of extensa & glaziouana (above), with a few brasiliana & imperialis.

Good sized plants $30.

 

 

Large imperialis & flowering Vriesea fosteriana rubra in glazed pots. (top left)

$100 each.

 

 

Neoregelia

 

The most widely known group of Bromeliads, popular for their compact form & coloured foliage, particularly when in bloom. Most prefer part sun or dappled light.

 

 

Mostly $12 to $25 each.

 

Vriesea

An increasingly popular group of plants, typically characterised by intricate leaf patterning & a lack of thorns, or grown for their brilliant flower spikes. Mostly medium sized, suited to dappled light, morning sun or bright shade. The best known forms are plants of the forest. Superb feature specimens.

 

 

Large hybrids & species $25 to $60.

These include Vriesea fosteriana, hieroglyphica , altodaserrae, platynema & similar types including some colourful hybrids.

Vriesea gigantea (above)

Vriesea gigantea ' Nova' (below)

Rarely available; seed grown $20 or 3 for $50.

 

 

Smaller plants $12 to $25.

This group includes Vriesea altodaserrae ($17) & some flowering varieties.

 

Tillandsia (Air Plants)

A widely misunderstood group of bromeliads that can exist as unattached plants due to their ability to absorb water & nutrients directly through the leaf. As a general rule grow them outside with air movement in morning sun or dappled light; water as you would the garden. The more silver or hairy the plant the greater its tolerance to sun & dryness; greener or leafy Tillandsias prefer greater moisture & shade. Most plants eventually die when grown indoors & misted.

 

Loose plants $7, $12 & $15.

 

 

Spanish Moss $8/ cluster.

 

 

Guzmania

Tropical to subtropical bromeliads grown for their splendid flowers. They require a warm sheltered position when grown outdoors & can make good indoor plants. Thornless leaves.

Guzmania Stephanie $15

Flowering size; locally grown from imported tissue culture. Red blooms.

 

 

 

Aechmea

Grown for both foliage & flower; Aechmeas tend to have thicker sun tolerant leaves & make good landscaping plants alongside Alcantareas.

Aechmea recurvata varieties $8

 

Aechmea lueddemanniana rubra $12

 

 

Xeric (succulent) Types.

This category include such genera as Dyckia & Puya.

Typical of arid environments. Full to half day sun with good air movement & drainage;

too much shade will knock these plants around. Some greener forms prefer shading from mid- summer sun.

 

 

Dyckia neiderleinii

$10 each.

 

Orthophytum 'Copper Penny'

$10 each.

 

 

Features.

Plants of various types on driftwood or bamboo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various prices.

 

Ring for further information

Ph 041 531 3258

4/ 368 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

Thirroul.

Thanks,

Russell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Bamboo Sale at The Niche.

Haven't posted since October so it's time for an update. I've decided to have a sale of bamboo plants as they are looking good at this time of year. A list of plants & prices follows, updated as plants sell:-

Clumping types

Timor Black (Bambusa lako)

 

Slow-growing variety suited to a warm sunny position.

Canes are a deep chocolate brown with an occasional thin green stripe. Grows to 5m height in this area.

300mm pots $55

2 only.

Alphonse Karr (Bambusa multiplex variety)

Attractive gold & green striped variety suited to screening applications.

Will reach 3 to 4m in sunny locations with a bushy habit; more upright with taller growth when grown in part shade. Fast growing, cold tolerant. Divisions from an adult clump, 2 - 3m tall.

400mm pots $65

1 available

 

Golden Goddess (Bambusa multiplex variety)

 

Arching thin gold canes to 4m with ferny leaves; suitable for screening. Can be held upright in narrow areas with a string or wire. Fast growing, cold tolerant, full to half day sun.

300mm pots $45

 1 available.

 

Luscious (Fargesia nitida cv.)

Fine leaved cold tolerant variety for screening in sun or shade; ideal for planting on the escarpment where hours of sun are reduced or under trees. Popular in southern states but rarely encountered on the NSW coast. Thin canes to 3 or 4m; selected for greater heat tolerance. Pictured is a sun-grown stock plant before division.

250mm pots $35

11 plants in stock

Available late March.

 

Fortune (Fargesia nitida cv.)

 

Above description applies; this is another selected form of F. nitida, not to be confused with Pleioblastus fortunei, a running species.

Growing rapidly at present.

200mm pots $22

17 available.

Update: repotted into 250mm pots $35 each.

 

Nepalese Blue (Himalayacalamus porcatus)

 

Cold tolerant fine leaved species to 5m, good for morning sun or shady areas; dislikes hot conditions. New growths have a blueish look. Thin canes, good for screening; throwing new growth at present. 8-12 canes / pot.

300mm pots $50

 1 available.

 

Himalayan Weeping (Drepanostachyum falcatum)

As above growing to 3m height with green canes.

300mm pots $40

Available late March.

 

Thai Monastery (Thyrostachys siamensis)

Tight clumping form with most foliage on the upper section, giving an umbrella-like habit. Ideal as a feature specimen for shade in the garden; put a table & chairs underneath, or use as a second storey blockout. Sunny position, to 6m height; fine leaves.

500mm pot $85

1 only. SOLD

 

Kemmei (Bambusa ventricosa var kemmei)

 

Fast growing lesser Buddhas' Belly without the swellings, plus green & gold striped canes.

Throws long arching new growths; height to 7m. Suited to tunnel mazes, living arches, animal shelter or a clipped hedge where both sides are accessible.

300mm pots $35

 5 available.

400mm pots $45

2 available.

 

Giant Buddhas' Belly (Bambusa vulgaris var. Wamin)

Famous for the swollen internodal sections that give this plant its common name. Thick canes to 7 or 8m height with a slight curve; medium leaves. Excellent feature or taller screening variety where space allows.

400mm pots $55

2 available. SOLD

 

Giant Timber Bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii)

Very tall upright habit with medium growths to 10m. This plant is a single large cane that can be used as a feature or a tall narrow screen.

500mm pot $100

1only. SOLD

 

Malay Dwarf (Bambusa heterostachya)

Good screening plant to 6m with medium green canes & leaves. Bushy mostly upright habit. Likes full to half day sun, warmish position. Mature division.

400mm pot $65

1 only. SOLD

 

Malay Dwarf Variegated.

Smaller growing form to 2.5m with white striped leaves & thinner canes, quite different to the above plant. Slow growth & bushy habit, often used for a clipped hedge. Warm position.

300mm pots $45

2 only.

 

Indonesian Giant (Dendrocalamus asper)

A large grower with broad leaves, & canes covered in white powder, to 8m height.

Prized for both its appearance & tasty new shoots. Young plants. This form is from Indonesia.

250mm pots $25

 10 available. SOLD

 

Abyssinian Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica)

Newer variety from Africa that tolerates drier sandy soils & drought once established. As yet untried but growing well, should reach around 6m. Foliage is held on the upper sections of the canes. Young plants.

250mm pots $25

12 available. SOLD

 

Running types

Plant in pots & planters only; if ground planted they will become a nuisance both to you & your neighbours!!!

Divide every 2 years for best results, & feed in the growing season.

 

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

The best grower in our climate, cold tolerant, to 5m in large planters. Stems gradually change from green to black with maturity & sun exposure. The most common black species. 

300mm pots $35

3 available  SOLD

400mm pots $50

2 available

500mm pots $70

2 available.

 

Ruscus Bamboo (Shibataea kumasaca)

Beautiful small growing species to 1m high; treated as a clumper in cold climates but not here in the Illawara! Can brown at the leaf tips if too dry; cut back the old growth as new shoots emerge to ensure an attractive appearance. It took me 10 years to obtain this plant, & cost $70 in a 250mm pot.

300mm pots $25

8 available.

 

Bamboo-like plants

Tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima)

Popular fast growing screen or specimen 2 to 3 m tall with large leaves.

Good for a damp spot; loves water. Nice sized plants.

250mm pots $25

10 available

300mm pots $30

 2 available

Advanced 300mm pots $40.

2 available. 

 

 

 Malay Pygmy Bamboo (Pogonantherum paniceum)

 

Taller growing form of Baby Panda Bamboo, really a species of grass. Does well in the local area with morning or part sun; to 0.6m height.

200mm pots $10

10 available. SOLD

Ready late March.

 

Sugar cane (Saccharum sp.)

Three forms available: common, red & the rarely seen black. Likes water & sun.  Young plants growing rapidly. Makes an excellent fast-growing screen to 3m; clumping habit.

200mm pots $12 to $20

common:- 2 available

red:- SOLD

black:- 5 only.

300mm pots common $35

2 only.

 

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Popular clumping palm with bamboo-like canes to 3m height. Use indoor or outside in morning or dappled sun for best appearance.

300mm pots $45

6 only.

 

Golden cane palms (Dypsis lutescens)

 

300mm pots $60.

 

Ring for further information

Ph 041 531 3258.

Thanks,

Russell,

The Niche Nursery,

4/368 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

Thirroul.