Hello from a lovely, warm and sunny Wellington. The air really feels warmer if that makes sense, and everything is looking even more green than usual (see the featured image at the top of the post). I didn’t managed to do anything today as was out this afternoon, but with good wether forecast for tomorrow, there is no excuse for a tidy up. Anyway, thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens.
First up, the hostas, which are now flowering, surrounded by, what I like to call, the undergrowth! Actually, this week, things have popped up so fast, with everything growing and blooming. There are still some hebes in flower along with the hellebores and little violas dotted about in the bush around and underneath the house.
And so to the ‘herb garden’, where the mint and sage are looking good. The old bay tree that lay in a shady corner and has now been moved to a sunny spot is showing signs of a lot of new growth which is great. The parsley though has bolted – note the flowers in the top right corner – so I guess it is time to uproot and get new plants. Both of my plants have ‘gone’ too, at the same time, so will need to take more care to stop this happening again next year. Given their age, this seems to be normal (?).
Also looking good is the wild strawberry plant which has new leaves and a first flower (today in fact). I have purchased a nice, large pot to move it too, so hopefully I might, if very lucky, get the odd berry.
I’m still enjoying the lavender, as are our local bees. There are still some camellias on the bush outside the house too, loved by tuis and bees alike.
The chilli seeds I planted a few weeks ago have turned into decent seedlings, almost ready to plant out. I think I should end up with a few plants at least. Amongst the new seedlings are these mini sunflowers. I planted four seeds in this pot and three have popped up, though the four I test planted outside have yet to show. I’ll need to get the rest started so I get a nice display.
Finally, another view of the rhododendron, because it looks good not only from the house, but also looking up from street level. You can also see what the weather was like and get a glimpse of one of the giant ferns that surround the house.
As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world.
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 
Beautiful selection. Don’t you just love rhododendron camellias hostas and French lavender. Perfect for colours and foliage display.
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Yes – love them all!
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I love your last picture with the gorgeous rhodo and the giant fern ! I would love to have this kind of ferns here …
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There are giant ferns everywhere here. We obviously have the right conditions.
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It’s a gorgeous time of year in our part of the world 😊
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It really is!
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I was looking forward to sharing some sunshine and you have come up with the goods, thank you! Loving the blue skies, the lush foliage, and that fern is amazing!
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Happy to oblige!!!
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Oh, forget the plants, just let me gaze at that sunshine and blue sky! Actually that last photo could come from Cornwall, I probably have similar photos somewhere. Though not today!
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It was a stunning day yesterday I have to admit. Bit cloudy so far this Sunday.
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Lovely! Good luck with that strawberry plant. And everything else.
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New Zealand gardens amaze me, I want to join you there.
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Hopefully your sunflowers will be huge by late Summer
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I hope so!
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It’s lovely to see plants at the other end of the growing season, when everything here is tucking up for winter. Parsley is a biennial, so will always flower in its second growing season, and then die. But it self-seeds very well, with the fresh seeds germinating more freely than bought seed.
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It makes perfect sense with the parsley. I’ll leave one plant and see what happens…
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How lovely to see so many of the plants flourishing in your garden as they are giving out in mine. Trying to decide what to do with my spearmint and chocolate mint over the winter.
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It might be an idea to bring them in? My chocolate mint last year didn’t do so well, but this new plant is thriving at the moment.
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