Page 6 Advertisements Column 2

Press, 9 May 1983, Page 6

How to pick the bargains when you're buying trees and shrubs. y Most of us know that in this life nothing is free and bargains are few. / Indeed, getting value for money re Q u * res vigilance. The plant business * s n 0 exce P t ' on anc * i* ' s a matter of IrfeL some skill to pick your genuine S&fo bargain. Part of the problem is, of course, knowing what to look for and tfien rec °9 n > s,n 9 the species when you track it down. We'd like to help y° u s h° rten t^ie tracks. Freshness. Avoid at any price plants which have been hanging around the nursbry for a time. You'll know them by their * sparse foliage, green, algae covered vr stems, weedy pots, brown edged —- leaves ... A clean label is not Japanese Laurels6.so guarantee of freshness but an old I dirty label is a dead give away! Old Y stock sulks, fades away and at best x >/ lags behind which costs precious time. No bargains here. Price. There are big differences between nearly identical plants for sale in retail nurseries. We know because we have painstakingly made the rounds and t * ne comparison. We know that, "across the board," shrubs are cheaper at Gardenway than anywhere else in Christchurch. Specific items are 20%, even as much as 50% cheaper. Comparison. : Comparing heights is useful provided ■ you also compare widths. Width or Castiewellan G01d56.50 bushiness is a reliable guide to a plant's value and potential. Take our Aucubas, (illustrated). The grower is an expert and has pinched the leading growths to encourage a bushy habit. A habit formed early stays with the plant. Left to their own devices the Aucubas would have been waist high but are much better value knee high now. (The Aucuba or Japanese Laurel is a most decorative, hardy evergreen. Enjoy the handsome, gold-daubed foliage in shade or sun). Confidence. Only a few people would know that Castiewellan Gold is a new, fast growing Cupressus hybrid, very hardy, drought resistant, columnar, tall, gold foliaged conifer. Most people would consider they'd done well to recognize a conifer. How on earth does one select with confidence from the innumerable varieties offered? It's easier at Gardenway because we only stock the best varieties available. You won't find 30 varieties of gold conifers to confuse: although we haven't quite reached the simplistic, one large, one medium and one small. The biggest boost to your confidence is, of course, our guarantee. If any plant, tree or shrub fails to satisfy your high expectations, bring it back with its label and we will refund the purchase price, cheerfully, on the spot, without fuss. It's the guarantee that sorts the nurserymen from the boys. . <-< . .. . Gardenway open 7 days 9 a.m. > 5.30 p.m. For personal shoppers, l/lsa and Bankcard facilities.