LILACS (Syringa) are hardy, deciduous garden greats that can be grown throughout New Zealand as they tolerate most conditions. The spring flowers are superb for floral art and last very well picked. Matthews Nurseries grow 21 varieties which are in a range of colours from white, lemon, pink, blue to deep purple with most varieties growing 2-3 metres. Some varieties have "double" flower heads and some "single".

Madame Lemoine Greenish white, double, light fragrance, 2.5m.

Charles Joly Deep reddish purple, double, 3m.
Clarks Giant Gentian blue, single, large panicles, light fragrance, 3m.
Double Purple Dark purple, double, very fragrant, 3m.
General Pershing Purplish violet, double, light fragrance, 2m.
Mrs Edward Harding Large reddish purple buds opening to medium lilac, semi double, very fragrant, 2.5m.
Purple Glory Dark reddish purple, double, very fragrant, 3m.
Souvenir De Spaeth Very dark reddish purple, double, 3m.

Primrose Creamy-white, single, light fragrance, 3m.

Sensation
A very unusual and attractive Lilac. Single, rich purple with each petal edged with white. The large semi-open panicles produce freely on a medium to tall shrub. Blooms mid Spring.

Alice Eastwood Mauve pink, double, spreading habit, light fragrance. 3m.
Belle D Nancy Satin pink, double, large panicles in October, 2.5m.
Esther Staley Soft pink, single, very fragrant, 3m.
Katherine Havemeyer Lobelia violet suffused purple-lilac, double, very fragrant, 3m.
Madam F Morel Pinkish lilac, single, fragrant, 2.5m.

Crab Apples

CRABAPPLES (Malus) are an asset to your garden as you have the pretty blossom in spring and the fruit in autumn. The upright varieties can be grown in a pot, espaliered or the weeping Ellerslie as a central specimen tree. The range of crabapples from Matthews include red, white and pink blossom with red, gold and flecked fruits. Don't forget the jelly!!

Ballerina An outstanding flowering apple. In September bunches of red buds open to large frilly double pink blossoms turning white and pink before petal fall. Very free flowering. Deciduous. Suitable to espalier.

Ellerslie Mattweep: Darker red buds opening to a soft crimson flower with bronzy-red foliage. Small conical shaped bright cherry red fruit, drooping in medium sized clusters smothering the bush. The full weeping spreading habit gives style, elegance and form, in keeping with the Ellerslie Flower Show. A striking feature for every garden.

Available in 1m, 1.5m, 1.8m

Jelly King Mattfru: Pink buds opening to pure white flowers late season on a tall upright tree. The fruit are large 3cm round orange/yellow overlaid with medium red. Fantastic for jelly and the birds leave the fruit alone till late autumn.

Pearlie Emma Mattpink: Pink buds opening to lovely blush pink/white blossom, early flowering, tall upright plant, pyramid growth. Medium green leaves. Masses of drooping, cascading fruit of 2cm oval plump shape, greenish yellow and red blush in colour. Suitable for jelly.

Tom's Fleck Mattfleck: Soft pink buds opening to clear white blossom late season. Mid-green foliage carries through till the fruit in autumn which is like a baby gala apple being orange, tangerine, overlaid with gold giving the fleck. Upright growth suitable for pot or garden.

Tom's Gold Mattgold: Brilliant display of single white flowers mid to late season, followed by a mass display of medium sized yellow to golden fruit, with a yellow flesh. Suitable for jelly. Medium height, upright habit. Suitable for a tub.

Tom Matthews Mattom: Named after the breeder. It is one of the most outstanding new colours of Malus. A dazzling spring display of vibrantly vivid scarlet red flowers, with bronze-red foliage. The flowers are followed by an abundance of medium sized clusters of small dark red oval shaped fruit from early autumn through to late winter. Upright growth 2-3 m.

Tom's Red Mattred: The pure white single flowers in spring pale in comparison to the dazzling bright red fruit borne in a mass of clusters completely smothering the branches. Hence the name Tom's Red. The tree is well branched and shaped requiring minimum training and small to medium in height making it suitable for a tub.