In contrast to last Saturday, today is gloriously sunny and bright, with blue skies to gladden the heart. I was able to get out and do some tidying up, and found enough compost to repot one of the tarragon plants. I discovered I can order bulbs online still, so that is a weekend task, though goodness knows when they will arrive and where I will put them! Anyway, thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens.
Well, the blue skies…the bird song…and the bagpipes! When I went outside after lunch to potter around a bit, I could distinctly hear bagpipes being played, and rather well too. It was kind of incongruous but also fun. A different musical accompaniment than usual to weeding I must say.
Early this morning I went out to start tidying up the area to the side of the house where there is not a huge amount of sunlight. There is a patch of very poor soil on a sort of raised bed, which should really be dug over and sorted out. In the meantime, I just try to keep things tidy, trim unwanted long branches creeping from below (see picture 1). Picture 2 and 3 are a sort of before and after. The pot you see in the corner is broken, but I have just stood it there for a bit of colour. You can also see one of the kawakawa bushes over the fence, and another one below. In fact, we have several around the house – pictures next week.
And so to fungi…it is autumn after all. I found these two little specimens nestled under one of the basil plants. You must admit that they are quite beautiful when you look at the gills underneath.
No Thistles and Kiwis SoS post would be complete without a herb update. Below you can see the pineapple sage (looking good after a lot of rain during the week), the purple basil and marjoram. Also looking good is the mint, parsley and sage.
The Japanese anemones are still looking good, but nearing the end of their flowering season. We’ve had a fantastic display, that has been much needed during these days of being confined to our bubble.
The first thing you spot if you look out of the French windows downstairs are the cornflowers. Their eye-catching bright blue is such a pleasure to see.
That is all from me this week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Take care out there! Kia kaha.
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 
Wonderful capture of the blue of your cornflower ! I also liked the second picture with tree fern behind…
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Thank you! The blue is quite lovely.
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How wonderful for a Scot to hear the pipes so far from home! Lovely shot of the fern, beautiful. So pleased the sun is out for you again. The cornflower photo is most beautiful. Hope you did well in the pub quiz!
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It was quite surreal! We did not do well in the pub quiz…at least we all set such difficult questions we all did badly!
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Bet it was fun though. Same time next week?
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Now I need to work out how to put a sound track onto my blog so it plays, distantly, all the time someone is looking at it. Like the pipes did in my head while I read yours.
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🙂
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Your Japanese anemones are a very pretty pale pink. I didn’t used to like them, but they have definitely grown on me. And enjoy those gorgeous blue skies!
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I think they look good in clusters. There are white ones in the Botanic Gardens, but I prefer the pink I think.
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I love how lush and green you are! We grew up like that in Wisconsin, but here in Colorado, it is much more arid and dry. Looking at your beautiful pics, I realize how much I miss that. Thank you for sharing and making my mind wander a bit.
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Bagpipes! I’d love it & hope the player’s family does as well. They’d have no choice, would they? That corn flower blue is smashing. What a lovely way to end the blog. Will you plant anything in the broken pot or is it too broken? I’ve planted broken pots after laying them on their side. That type ceramic looks good regardless.
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No what I thought too! Heard a drummer later in the day…. I might put some of the many marigold seeds in the pot..if they come up, they come up. Good idea.
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I think it’s the anemones that attract bagpipers. Just a theory. They both have a unique sound – one audible, the other visceral.
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Everything still looks very verdant. I can imagine the sound of bagpipes while looking out at that stunning view.
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Bagpipe music while you work in your yard! What fun. Your herbs look great, and those anemones and cornflowers continue to give delight. How exquisite each one is in its own way—one subtle and the other vibrant. Both a great pleasure, I should imagine.
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Yes they are both pleasures!
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Holy cats!
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Brilliant blue to the cornflowers. Alice has scattered a few bags of seed around. Very popular with the birds.
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Perfect timing! I bought a pack of cornflower seeds last week and was deciding where to sow them earlier today. I hope some of mine are that colour. Interesting Six-on-Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing the kawakawa bush next week.
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Gosh, cornflowers. Been a long, long time since I grew them. Maybe next year I will give them a go. My pineapple sage is flowering again now (indoors) which is odd because it flowers around Christmas time. But then I did cut it down so maybe that’s what has prompted it to have another go. Soon be time to pop it back outdoors.Your Japanese anemones seem to last far longer than mine. And your herbs look and sound delicious. Can’t wait for mine to perk up again.
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Yes will need to think about bringing the pineapple sage indoors in a couple of months. Look forward to seeing your herbs.
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I think I may have lost some herbs 😢 and no way of getting replacements this year.
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Oh no…..
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Cornflowers are a big favourite
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Yes!
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I had to look up Kia kaha, I love it and your tree ferns look magnificent. Also growing Pineapple Sage here, haven’t eaten any yet, it doesn’t really smell that fruity to me. Kia kaha
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I’m not sure what to do with the pineapple sage really. Could add it to a glass of water?
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I saw a recipe where you made a sauce for chicken with it. Sounded a bit weird and I like the plant! So it remains untrimmed.
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Oh that does sound weird….think I will just continue to look at it and smell the leaves!
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Me,too..
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Lovely six! Did you ever find out why someone was playing the bagpipes! The herbs are looking good – since it is your autumn, do they go through the winter for you?
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No – and haven’t heard them since either! Some of them go through the winter like the thyme, but not the basil.
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Maybe the pipes will come back to you again some day when you feel the need of them!
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i’m growing a similar cornflower this year, I hope it is as vivid a blue as yours!
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Oh I hope so too!
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Nothing wrong with hearing distant bagpipes in the distance in the morning I am sure you will agree. The cornflower is exquisite and your Japanese Anemones never disappoint.
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No…but a bit strange! We have been really lucky with the Japanese Anemones this year.
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