Six on Saturday 03.07.21

Hello from a what has been lovely, sunny Wellington and on my birthday too! Yes, another year has gone by since the last one. Can I also suggest you look at the date? 3 x 7 = 21. How about that? Or is it just me that thought about it?

Anyway, this week saw an icy cold blast hit New Zealand, with snow on high ground, sleet, hailstones and freezing cold rain. We escaped where we Iive with only rain and hailstones – bad enough of course. However, the last two days may have been cold, but they have been sunny. Anyway, thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens. Check out the participant guide if you want to join in.

To start with the camellias which are looking quite lovely right now. From top to bottom, the white camellia bush covered with buds and flowers, the same white bush with the large bush with the big, blousy flowers behind it, that bush as close as I could get – believe me – the flowers are magnificent. Next, one of the flowers on the bush we share with our neighbour, and finally one of the flowers from the bush at the front of the house. There is another bush at the back which I can’t get to for pictures.

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At number two, we have bulb activity all over the place. There is one bowl that seems to be filled with randoms, clear signs of daffodils, no sign of tulips or iris yet, but lots of things popping up, so I should get some wonderful flowers in a while.

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At number three, the tecomanthe speciosa or Three Kings Vine that is still flowering, with more buds in evidence. With this and the camellias right now, even a bad day can be turned around.

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And so to ‘things that are still growing strong and things that are not looking good’. This is the last bud on the dahlia. Let’s see if it flowers, and if someone can let me know if I need to lift the plant in this climate, that would be great. The pineapple sage, lemon verbena, rosemary and parsley are all looking fine, however the sage, tarragon and one of the thyme plants are looking a little ‘winter sad’ if you know what I mean.

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Now to the ‘hello nice to see you again’ corner, the first sign of a lavender flower, and the echinacea, which I cut right back when it last finished flowering. A bit early perhaps, but there you go. Our sheltered spot always surprises.

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And to finish, a more seasonal hellebore. Hoping for a decent display again this year – fingers crossed and all that!tec

That is it for me for now – more pictures than words this week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you. 

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram@thistleandkiwis.  As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days.  If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com