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Wollemi Pine: Grow your own living fossil

It is now possible to grow a plant which existed during the time of the dinosaurs. The Wollemi Pine grew in vast forests 90 million years ago and was believed to have become extinct 2 million years ago. In 1994, however, a small group of Wollemi Pines were discovered growing deep in the Blue Mountains of Australia. With less than 100 mature plants growing in the wild, the Wollemi Pine is now part of a worldwide conservation effort.

The Wollemi Pine is a conifer with attractive, unusual dark green foliage and unique chocolate brown bubbly bark. It is hardy to -12C, easy to grow and low maintenance and makes a stunning patio or indoor plant, or is great as a feature plant for large gardens. The Wollemi Pine made its debut at Chelsea this year and is now available to buy at Norton Garden Centre.

Tickled Pink Rose and Breast Cancer Haven

The Rose of the Year 2007 - Tickled Pink - is a bold, pink, easy to grow floribunda rose. It produces masses of scented flowers and will grow in any soil as long as there is good sunlight. We will donate £1.75 from every purchase of this rose to Breast Cancer Haven, who specialises is supporting the physical and emotional needs of anyone affected by breast cancer. Why not treat yourself, your family or your friends with a gift of the Tickled Pink rose and know that you are also helping those with breast cancer. The rose sells for £8.99.

For more information about Breast Cancer Haven, click here.

Oaks Tea Rooms

Introducing The Garden Club

Peacocks Visit Norton Garden Centre

An unusual bunch of customers visited us late in March. After helping themselves to a bit of food, causing a bit of mahem, and then not buying anything, they left us as quickly as they had appeared. Our customers were four peacocks! The Gloucester Citizen covered the story. Their words and pictures follow:

"A GAGGLE of peacocks ruffled a few feathers when they dropped in on a
county garden centre. The peacocks, one male and three females, made their
surprise visit at Norton Garden Centre in Tewkesbury Road on Sunday.
Children visiting the garden centre were delighted by the spectacle of the
featured creatures. The male peacock strutted his stuff, showing off his
fantastic plumage while his female companions just squawked around. But
the peacocks weren't quite so popular with garden centre staff who had
their work cut out trying to minimise the damage caused by the flighty
birds. "The kids loved them. I had to bring mine down to see them while
they were here," said shrub assistant Julie Steel. "It's nice for the
public to see them, but they have caused quite a bit of damage. "One flew
into the shop and tried to fly out through the roof and broke a pane of
glass. Others ate flowers and leaves. "We even had to turn the hose pipe
on them at one point, but they did make a lot of noise." The birds, three
female and one cock, moved in on Sunday and spent Monday mooching about
before the window accident. No-one has a clue where they came from or who
they belonged to, but it is thought that perhaps a local farmer had
misplaced his flock. Their mysterious habitation was brought to an end
when they were chased away by an aggressive feline on Tuesday."