It is SoS time again and technically the first post in autumn. It is certainly a bit chilly in the early morning, but the sun is shining and the cicadas are singing, and things continue to grow and flower. Bit of a brief post as not a lot new to report this week, but here are my six anyway. Thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens.
First up, more of the Japanese anemones are flowering. There are a number of flowering clumps around the space beside the house that greet you as you arrive at the top of the steps to the house. We only have pink ones, but there are some white in the Botanic Gardens.
Sticking with flowers, at number two, the cornflowers I planted are flowering, and attracting bees too (see the featured image at the top of the post). The colour is exquisite, and I love to see them when I am sitting indoors looking out, just a pop of blue
At number three, this weeks herb update, with flourishing cinnamon basil (the purple basil is still producing leaves for salads and pasta, the green not so much) and oregano, and a recovered rosemary that is also attracting bees.
Next up, the plants that never give up – nasturtiums and marigolds in my case. Here is this week’s nasturtium, and I can see self-seeding marigolds popping up in odd spots. My two mint plants are a bit like that too – whenever I think they are saying goodbye, they rise again.
This week’s pest is the lace moth or vine hopper. Introduced from Australia (like that other pest, the possum), these little creatures can hop, fly and pierce plant tissue to extract sap. They are not exactly welcome, and all I had to hand today was a weak solution of washing up liquid, which at least got rid of them. I’ll need to keep my eyes open. These are adults, so may have already laid eggs.
Finally, the indoor chillies are colouring, turning a lovely golden yellow. Looking forward to see what colours are on the other plants.
And that is all from Wellington for this week. 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 
I can see why the lace moth or vine hopper has two names. It looks like a vine hopper with moth’s wings. I successfully grew cornflowers for the first time last year. The vivid blue is beautiful.
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Yes the colour is fantastic.
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It’s a shame that these moths are harmful to plants because they are still pretty. They remind me of whiteflies that suck the sap of plants, but they look bigger. Except soapy water, is there nothing else to get rid of them? Otherwise, superb chilli!
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I only had soapy water to hand – need to get something like a spraying oil from the garden centre. Have to admit am pleased with the chillies!
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I looked up the moth and was surprised that most of the hits were about using it for fly fishing. Bit bigger than our leafhoppers then, you can keep that one please.
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I know! I was trying to find out more about them and found exactly the same thing. The things one learns thanks to Google…….
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The lace moth is pretty though – with it’s see through wings. Shame it’s a pest. I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to eating chillies, but it looks impressive.
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Not sure I will eat these chillies…it did say ‘ornamental’ on the packet.
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I agree, the lace moth is rather pretty……but so are bindweed and cabbage white butterflies. Hmmmmm.
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Indeed you are so right!
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I am another who thinks the little moth is very pretty, a shame it is a nuisance. A bit like the cabbage white butterflies I suppose. Another lovely nasturtium. Almost time for me to start thinking about buying some seeds.
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What seeds are you planning on?
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Still looks like summer to me, but I know well how the end of summer brings a hint of fall. There’s a certain nip to the air, a certain slant of the sun. Enjoy your last days of summer.
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Exactly…slightly darker mornings and an early chill mark the changing season.
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Wow your right that photo of the Cornflower is exquisite. Nice to see some warm summer sun!
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Thank you!
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Your Japanese anemones are beautiful. I have a few in the garden – sometimes they get a bit out of hand and think they can spread where they want, but I wouldn’t be without them. The chilli is impressive too!
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I love them too. Such pretty flowers.
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I would love anemones to spread around my garden, but I don’t have enough shade for them. Yet.
That’s a great photo of the bee in the cornflower. Just lovely. Sorry we sent you lead hoppers and possums. The possums seem to grow to twice the size over there!
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Ours get shade from the side of the house. We forgive you for the hoppers and possums….possum fur makes lovely soft gloves 😉
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Wonderfully Anemone and the Cornflower too.
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Thanks!
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Love the cornflowers. Got a few types to scatter this year. Birds loved the seeds when I grew before.
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My calendula has been eaten…obviously tastes good to local insects!
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Lovely anemone! The moths are very pretty, but even in your picture they look like they’re feasting on stems – never seen anything like them!
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The moths are unfortunately pretty, but I think you are right, they look like they are feasting on the stems.
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My tulips are slowly starting to rebloom hopefully I can showcase them off on a post soon.
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Would love to see your tulips!
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Such beauties, those anemone flowers! I am nurturing one, but no flowers to date. This is its second year…. I love the cornflowers, and hope there are seeds in the bees mix which I sowed. Nasturtiums are such lovely filler plants, and they come up in some odd places in my garden. I usually leave them be as they are so bright and sunny. I don’t think I have seen a lace moth….but will keep a look out for them now I know what they look like.
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I tried to sow some bee friendly flowers this year. They do love the cornflowers and nasturtiums, and as you say, the latter make great filler plants and are so pretty (and edible!).
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