It is the Labour Day holiday weekend here, and believe it or not, the weather is good. It is warm, the sun has been shining and it is time yet again to look outside for Six on a Saturday. I really do enjoy doing these posts, and meeting so many lovely and interesting bloggers too.
1 More herbs
I picked up some more herbs today: lemon balm, a curry plant (it really smells like curry!) and a gorgeous lemon thyme. The collection is beginning to grow (in more ways than one…).
2 More of the rhododendron
Looking up at it rather than looking down at it this time, the blooms still continue to brighten up our days.
3 A covered wall
At the top of the stairs at the side of the house, next to the terrace that is begging for a big pot of nasturtiums or something else that looks after itself, is a little wall covered at the moment in what I think is some form of mother of thousands. I just love it, even though it is probably not good for the wall.
4 Around the house
Could someone identify this bush please? There are about three at the front of the house and one at the side. The flower identifying app I have has given about 9 different things, so I hope one of you can tell me what this is. UPDATE! A friend on Facebook identified this as Hebe Townsonii.
5 Flowers that just appear
You never know what is going to pop up, that is the beauty I guess of our semi-wild garden.
6 Our steps
As you can see, the steps up to our house need a good sweep, being covered in petals…and on that note…I leave you until next week. Happy gardening!
Thanks to The Propagator for starting Six on Saturday.
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
Thistles and Kiwis 
Your number 3 is what we know as Ivy leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) which originates from around the Mediterranean. Its extremely common in the UK and most people would think it’s native, but it’s actually one of our longest established known aliens, recorded as far back as 1617. Alien plants are a bit of a niche issue in the UK, only a few are a problem and most people don’t care. I like your Hebe but for you it may be an overly familiar native that’s only just garden worthy.
LikeLike
I did wonder if I got the right name. There is a big movement here to preserve native plants as you would expect. We are quite lucky where we live to have a fair number of natives around us. The hebe is nice in that it flowers, and grows on poor soil, so useful to have around.
LikeLike
Curry plant is one of the first things I buy for the garden, wherever we go (we move a lot for work) because it’s wonderful smell carries for yards. I’ve never cooked w/it, tho – have you? Will we die if we cook w/it? (Let me know if you do.) I love your petal strewn steps & would be tempted not to sweep myself, except the petals won’t stay like that forever & once they’ve gone slick . . . there might be flying lessons in my future. Anyway, all things are beautiful in your garden this week. So lush & colourful.
LikeLike
I haven’t cooked with it but you are supposed to be able to – will definitely write about it if and when I do! You are so right about the petals on the steps. I have actually fallen on those steps, so tend to take care in sweeping up, even though they look so pretty.
LikeLike
The plant hanging down your wall looks like ivy-leaved toadflax
https://cornwallincolours.wordpress.com/2016/09/21/in-my-garden-wandering-sailor/
I don’t think it harms the wall at all. I have a few herbs including a curry plant, but have learned not to rub my fingers through it as the smell takes a very long time to disappear!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for the info about the plant on the wall! Really useful. Yes the curry plant does smell strongly, but I think that is kind of its appeal….
LikeLike
I love the smell of lemon balm, though it can go a bit rampant. Very tempted to buy a curry plant. May have to seek one out!
LikeLike
I’m keeping my lemon balm in a pot. Yes do seek out a curry plant and then we can compare notes! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a curry plant a while back but evicted it as I couldn’t smell anything else in the area! Love lemon balm though. Your Rhododendron looks glorious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the covered wall. I planted a Virginia creeper with that in mind, to cover a dodgy patch of render. It has gone everywhere except the dodgy latch. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My experience with curry plant is that it grows into a rather big shrub but it smells like a street in Delhi! Very exotic.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike