In New Zealand and Australia it is Anzac Day. But this year there were no dawn services: the first time services have been cancelled since 1915. We happened to be awake at 6am (thanks to our cat wanting to go out), and stood outside and listened to someone in the neighbourhood play The Last Post. It was quite moving. Anyway, to the garden, and again there really isn’t much new to report this week, though I did get around to ordering bulbs, which will take a couple of weeks to get here but will arrive eventually I hope. Thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens.
First up, New Zealand will be dropping to Level 3 on our Covid-19 lockdown scheme at midnight on Monday. This means I will be able to place an order at one of the local garden centres and pick up some things I need. I know where I will be going next weekend!
So to the garden itself, and there are still a few cornflowers adding a beautiful pop of bright blue in amongst all the green. They have been a big success this year, so will definitely go for more next year.
Next up, the mahonia. All the plants are now in full flower, and looking quite gorgeous. Most of the plants are at the side of the house, but there is one rogue one beside the steps (the one on the right below).
Nothing much new to report from the pots of herbs. The red basil is entering its last days, but I am getting lots of lovely thyme and mint still. The chocolate mint is also doing really well this year.
I’ve been checking each day on the magnolia seedpods. The big picture below was taken this morning and the bottom right one on Tuesday. I am monitoring the progress with interest.
Finally, there are suddenly lots of spider webs visible – or it is just that I am noticing a lot more about my environment now I am at home all the time. Charlie sometimes comes home covered with bits of web after he has been running about through the bush.
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 
Goodness, those magnolia seeds look almost prehistoric, and certainly and interesting combination of colours. Is it your plan to propagate some of them?
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I know they do don’t they? I will try to see if I can get a couple to grow and leave the rest to whatever eats them here!
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Those magnolia seedpods are getting better and better, love them! I sowed some cornflowers this week, inspired by you. I must say that I am so impressed by Jacinda Ardern, she seems like a wonderful woman. Enjoy your week 🙂
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Hope your cornflowers work out – they are so pretty. Yes I do feel when I look around the world that we are lucky with Jacinda in these times. Enjoy your week too!
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Must get some cornflower seeds – i have not grown these for ages – thanks for reminding me.
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Wow that magnolia pod is a thing of wonder. Your PM is a marvel – level 3 sounds very organised!
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Still beautiful magnolia seedpod ! That close up is really a success.
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I am going out every day and checking. So fascinating to watch the changes and the wonderful colours.
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I’ve always wanted to try chocolate mint. Does it taste chocolatey or just minty?
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Mostly minty with a hint of chocolate – to me at least.
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I wouldn’t be able to resist collecting and sowing the magnolia seeds, even though I’d have no use for the plants if they grew. I’m wondering if you have the same Mahonia varieties we do or a locally bred range; it looks to be a cracker.
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I am definitely going to plant a couple and see what happens. I’m not sure about the mahonia varieties we have here – something for me to investigate.
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How funny after restrictions are eased you’ll be heading to a nursery! That’s my plan too but here in the UK I don’t think that’s ready to happen or anywhere near about to
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It will be a click and collect system, so I hope I can order what I want. I really want to browse though!
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Me too, I miss have a walk amongst the plants, choosing
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Nice to see the cornflowers. I have Alice some seed to scatter and I think I’ve got a few coming through along with some poppies.
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Such a lovely combination. I should try to get some poppies for next year too.
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The cornflower never fails to impress, and my goodness those magnolia seed pods are quite amazing. I agree with you about the mahonias – they’re gorgeous.
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The mahonia flowers are so pretty close up.
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Cornflower blue is incredibly striking when you come across it in the garden. I’m hoping I have a few in the bed mix I sowed. I’ve also noticed a lot of spiders webs around the garden over the past few weeks. Mind you there are definitely more insects about at the moment.
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Yes that blue is so striking. Funny you should say that about insects…lots down here too.
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Those cornflowers! Wish I could grow them in my garden. Spring is coming slowly to Maine, but eventually I will be able to post pictures of my garden.
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Have you tried? I was amazed at how easily these ones grew. Look forward to seeing your spring.
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No, I don’t think my woodsy yard gets enough sun.
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Maybe bluebells?
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Something to consider! Haven’t seen many bluebells in Maine, but that doesn’t mean they are not here.
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I popped my head outside our front door just after 6ish and no one was out there, was a bit disappointed.
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We can’t really see our neighbours, so am not sure if anyone was out, but one of my Zoom Pilates people said she had heard bugles and bagpipes.
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mahonia would be such a great plant if only the flowers were a different colour! I have an allergic response to that forsythia shade of yellow. no sign of our garden centres opening just yet.our local big shed DIY place is open, sort of, but big queues to get in (90+ mins) as they are only letting a few people in then it’s one out, one in. I don’t need anything badly enough to bother. well, compost, I could really do with some compost….
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I’ll be honest and the first time I saw mahonia I thought…no…but they have grown on me (oops!) over the years. Seems like there is a click and collect thing going on at one of the local garden centres. Compost is what I need too.
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Loving the Magnolia seeds so strange looking. That is a stunning picture of the cornflower.
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Thanks!
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Those mahonia are stunning. Are they Charity? https://cornwallincolours.blog/2019/12/14/sweet-charity/ and I do like the cornflower, haven’t grown those for many a year and not really got anywhere to grow them here now either, although… The magnolia seeds are amazing, I love photographing things like that close-up, so unusual. I am glad you are taking lots of photos of them. Have a great weekend, I suspect nothing much is going to change around here, but I might get off my butt and go and empty out a couple of planters ready for some cosmos seedlings.
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Oh I don’t know which variety the mahonia are unfortunately as they were there when we moved in to the house. They do look very like the ones you suggest though, and I seem to be finding that what grows in Cornwall grows here. The magnolia seeds…well, see today’s post later on….
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