09-SEP-2018
Progress achieved so far
You may remember I posted a photo of a lily that is at last bearing a frond
of flowers after being in my garden for 15 years. It still hasn't opened
and here is an earlier photo taken late June when first noticed. You
can read all about it on this older photo.
27-AUG-2018
Spring awakening...
Fresh new spring rose leaves appearing...these belong to a modern hybrid tea rose bush
that we've had growing in our garden for 28 years, but there is such a variation in
colour of the various rose bushes, always a delight when they open up freshly in
the early days of spring; not that spring has officially happened here yet.
24-AUG-2018
"Veronica"
This little plant started in a hanging basket but it died... fortunately for me
birds must have dropped seed in an uncultivated section of the garden and this tiny plant survived amongst the weeds.
When planting out an extension to my pelargonium patch I moved 3 of these little
self sown plants into a new position and they are thriving! Right now they are
totally covered with these tiny little blooms. A great time to be in flower
when there's nothing much else in bloom in the garden, they are much appreciated!
17-AUG-2018
Paint-brush Lily
Scadoxus puniceus - the time of year that it flowers in our garden after
taking about a month off where it dies down and starts again with these
blooms. The leaves follow and last for the rest of the year. This lily
comes from South Africa, grown fairly widespread in that continent from south
to north. The flower is most welcome in our winter month of August, and
we have a row of 12 - at least they started as 12, but they have multiplied
over the years and are now about double that. The lily is very poisonous
and has been left alone by most animals and birds, but I did pick off a
snail and a slug yesterday from one of the blooms.
28-JUL-2018
Viola Antique
A lovely selection of old-style violas doing well in winter on an
outside table in the gazebo. They still look like this, and have been
enjoying some lovely rains and chilly weather.
28-JUL-2018
In the soft winter's sunlight
A rose in bloom mid-Winter - this one is Jardins de Bagatelle, a lovely scented rose
on a very prickly but compact average height bush that resides nearby to a seat
that is placed permanently alongside one of the pathways in the rose garden. This one is
still waiting to be pruned...
Daisy
Osteospermum daisy (African) we have so many of these growing of various colours
this is a fairly new one growing around the edge of a huge cedar tree, visible from
our front gate. They spread and cover the ground like a blanket of leaves & flowers.
So easy to propagate - I always have a few more growing on in pots ready to fill a
spot in the garden somewhere.
10-JUN-2018
Heaven Scent
A fairly new rose in my garden... there has been some variability in the blooms so
far,
I'm not sure about this rose.. we'll see how it performs this coming spring. Anyone else grow this one?
Misty Morning in July
Temperature down to 1 degree Celsius first up this morning.. looking forward to
our holiday in the northern state of Queensland! The view from our front balcony.
02-JUL-2018
Up Close
A close view of a couple of the roses in the vase of pruned blooms. A few more have
been added to the vase since I took the photos, including yesterday's bloom.
This pair is Shocking Blue & Moonsprite.
28-JUN-2018
Brandy
A tall upright grower and rather thorny... awaiting the pruning shears.
A week today (July 4) we'll be winging it to the "Sunshine State" and a 2-week
rest from rose pruning.
02-JUL-2018
Prunings
I got stuck into the winter pruning job, cutting & bringing in any buds or blooms
before starting - and
here is a sample of the roses I pruned yesterday. For those interested in roses, here are some names -
Michele Meilland, White Wings, Shocking Blue, Moonsprite & Violina. Moonsprite is the only true yellow in this group.
I managed to prune 20 bushes, that makes a total of 32 done so far now - out of 500+ - a long way
to go yet, and we'll be away for 2 weeks mid-July, they'll be waiting for me on our return!