NEW CANDY STRIPE CARNATION THE PRODUCT OF FIVE YEARS OF CULTIVATION
The latest achievement of local O¯ taki grower Don Watson Senior is the new Candy Stripe Carnation,which has also turned into the naming inspiration for the new café at Watson’s Garden O¯ taki.
The flower, which is unique to Watson’s Garden, is the culmination of 65 years of experience in local growing.
Five years ago Don Watson Senior purchased some red and white carnations at a florist, but he was not happy with the colour. He began to picture in his mind the look of an altogether new design of flower. He sowed some red, white and pink carnations and potted them up. Once they grew large enough he let them flower. He repeated the process for five years until unforced natural growth produced a design that he was finally content with.
Don still couldn’t think of a name for the flower, so he took the idea over to the lovely team at Watson’s Garden to ask them for help with the naming. After a number of names were discussed, Kirsten suggested the name Candy Stripe Carnation.
Don learned how to change the colour of flowers many years ago when working for the original owner of Watson’s Garden, Jim McCormick. Don is currently in the process of writing his memoirs, which include many ‘recipes’ and tips on floral cultivation. He is modest about his totally unique achievement: ‘You’ve got to try new things.’
Speaking of trying new things – a new café has recently opened at Watson’s Garden which has been named after the flower. The Carnation Café offers pies, spiders, teas and barista-made coffee, milkshakes, kids’ ice cream, ice chocolates and ice coffees. The public clamour for a café at Watson’s Garden had eventually become too loud: many visitors to the garden centre had asked ‘Why don’t you have coffee?’
With locally sourced ingredients and biodegradable packaging, the café has been taking off. It is the perfect addition to Watson’s Garden – perhaps the one thing the business has been missing.
The beautiful new variation can be viewed outside the Carnation Café at Watson’s Garden and is even available for sale.
To view the Candy Stripe Carnation in person, visit Watson’s Garden at 17 Bell Street, O¯ taki, just off Waerenga Road.