Manaia 4612.
South Taranaki.
(06) 274 9436
Evenings
cottage.nursery@xtra.co.nz
Cara Cottage
Perennial Nursery
About Us
WELCOME to Cara Cottage Nursery, so named for my home which is part caravan, part cottage. My name is Margaret Brewer.
For those unused to websites, just read the information below, then click on any of the buttons on the side for the plants.
This small nursery specialises in easy-to-grow perennials for the home gardeners of New Zealand. I also have a few not so easy ones for the advanced gardeners to try, & scattered throughout the catalogue are Perennials that have survived from days gone by, which are refered to as 'Heritage' varieties.
I aim to supply well grown plants, well labeled, and at a reasonable cost. The range is comprehensive, rather than extensive, and mostly taken from my own garden. Visitors are welcome to see the parent plants growing here, during the season. Indeed, I like to meet my customers, as gardening is such a friendly pastime, and I enjoy sharing my pleasure with others.
The garden and Nursery is situated in Manaia, 13 km up the coast from Hawera, South Taranaki. We have very good soil here, around 2 km from the coast, & we experience only light frosts in winter. The plants are grown outdoors, so are hardened to this climate. Most of them are Hardy, but if not, the catalogue will say so. If you experience a problem with one of the plants, please tell ME! If you are pleased with the plants, please tell OTHERS!
Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. Have a lovely day! :-)
TO ACCESS THE PLANTS, Just click on the buttons on the side panel; Shade, Sun, etc.
TRADE BUYERS, PLEASE NOTE: I do Not have trade lines, I sell only to the Gardening public, so No Trade enquiries, please, and neither do I ship OVERSEAS.
The Nursery is now open by appointment. Times below, under Trading Hours.
When you come to visit it certainly helps to bring a wish-list from the website.
I accept Cash, personal cheques and now EFTPOS. I cannot accept Credit cards.
If you wish to go on the NURSERY NEWS mailing list, or are unsure if you are on it, please drop me a note using the link at the top left corner of the catalogue.
Please be assured that my pet hate is to have my email address 'passed on' to other business people for their own sales. I NEVER share anyone's address at ANY time, and never will.
Ordering
Please make up your own order from the catalogue and send it to me, by email, preferably. Use the link on the top left corner of the Catalogue pages.
Orders should be made from the sections SUN & SHADE plants, as those are available now. I welcome enquiries about anything on the PLANTS to COME section, but often they are not ready to be sent. The catalogue is updated frequently.
I am operating the catalogue in this way, as to add 'shopping carts' etc, is a lot more expense to set up & run, than the simple form used. The plant prices are therefore geared to reflect this simplicity.
Posted orders are accepted, if you do not want to email. If you wish to phone, please do so between 7 - 9 pm. I get very tied up during the day, so evenings are the best time to talk to me direct.
I do not give my bank details here, for obvious reasons. Payment is by internet banking, or deposit direct at any BNZ branch, which speeds up delivery of your plants. You will be given a reference number to use, & banking details will be made available on confirming your order. Payment, in whatever form, must be recieved before the order is dispatched.
I accept personal cheques, & you will be advised of the correct amount to enter, or, to save time, & a lot of hassle at this end, send an open 'Limit' cheque, with a posted order. Make ALL cheques out to M BREWER, and tell me that you are sending a cheque, please.
When ordering, state your Name, Address for delivery, & a daytime phone or cellphone number for the box.
Thank you.
Shipping
Mail orders will go by Courier on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This avoids having them sitting around in depots all weekend. Orders can be collected by arrangement, or select from the benches when you visit during the time we are open.
Courier charges,(including a small packing charge) vary with the number of plants, and where it is going. We use Fastway, who we have found to be very good with handling plants.
6 small plants, or 2 large, or 1 large & 3 small weigh approximately 2kg. (Every large PB 2 size plant counts as 3 small ones). This is classed as the small box. We can pack up to 26 small plants in a Banana box, maximum 10kg, which is the largest box size.
Fees are, as from the 01/11/2011
NATIONWIDE small order, 6 small plants, $6-90; maximum weight 2kg.
TARANAKI, small order up to 12 small plants, $5-90. From 13 plants up to a banana box full, or 26 small plants, $7.00. This is usually the same day service.
WANGANUI / MANAWATU areas over 2kg up to a Banana Box, $8-70 on the overnight service.
The rest of the NORTH ISLAND, over 2kg up to 10kg, $12.00 ( Banana box size) altho we pack according to the order.
SOUTH ISLAND over 2kg, up to 5kg, (max 12 small plants or equivalent) $12.80; the 10kg, banana box, is now $21.50
RURAL DELIVERY is an extra $4-70, no matter what size the box is. Some outlying small towns & semi-rural suburbs do not get Fastway delivery so have to be transferred to the Rural Carriers, incurring the RD fee. If in doubt, I can check for you. Prices are subject to change without notice, according to Fastway.
The correct charges will be included in your invoice, & confirmation of the order. All orders are fully invoiced, & will be inside the box.
With freight charges now higher, it does pay to bear in mind that the cost of sending 1-2 plants is the same as 6, & 7-8 plants, the same as 12, or more. It makes sense to order in quantiy, therefore reducing the cost per plant for freight. This is, of course, your decision.
PARCEL POST; Sorry, but I have made it a rule now to no longer send by NZ POST.The exception being small amounts of plant material, sent bare rooted, or small dry bulbs. As Post have now changed all the rates it is hard to quote accurately, and I often have had reports of overheating, damage, delays or upset somewhere along the line.
THERE IS NO GUARANTEE offered for delivery by POST, and if any damage is incurred, I am not prepared to either refund or replace.
Contact Us
| Phone | (06) 274 9436 PLEASE, preferrably in the evening, between 7-9 PM. I'm sorry, I do not have a Fax, or cellphone number. | |
| cottage.nursery@xtra.co.nz | ||
| Physical Address | 69 Kauae Street. Manaia 4612. South Taranaki. | |
| Trading Hours | NURSERY OPEN by appointment during the off season 10am to 4pm. Please phone or email first. You will need a wish-list from the website. | To find the nursery, travel Surf Hiway, which runs from Hawera in the south thru to New Plymouth, around the coast. On the south end of Manaia,(13 km from Hawera) look for the corner nearest the Loaf of Bread, turning down Hassard St, towards the coast. Kauae St is 3rd on the right, off Hassard. Park on the wide frontage in front of the row of Poplar trees. Number 69. Payment for plants must be either Cash, Eftpos or cheque please. Sorry, I can't accept Credit Cards. My MAIL ORDER service is available at all times of the year. I hope you find this catalogue interesting & useful. Any mistakes in it are my own, & as I am just an enthusiastic gardener, not an expert, there are bound to be one or two. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time. MARGARET |