After a very wet start to the week, sunshine returned, with bright, blue autumn skies returning to cheer up our lockdown days. We are still at Level 3 here in New Zealand, and we will hear on Monday if this will change to Level 2. This will give us more freedom to go about our daily lives, maybe even allowing us to get to the hairdresser. Let’s see what happens. Anyway, to this week’s six! Thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens.
Yes it is autumn, but there are so many signs of life out there. At the top of the list is the tecomanthe speciosa or Three King’s Climber I popped outside this morning, while it was still a little cloudy, and spotted one of the flowers the had dropped off and was lying on the bush below. I had a good look and saw the first of the flowers in bloom, and clear promise of more to come. They are really lovely blooms, so I am looking forward to more in the days to come.
Next up, the flowers on the salvia are beginning to open up, revealing this stunning purple flower. Such a gorgeous colour, that kind of blends well with the few cornflowers that are left.
Over to the herbs, and the Vietnamese mint is not looking good, and my basil is definitely on its last legs. The mint, however, is thriving, as is the oregano, marjoram and even the rosemary. The tarragon is needing attention – a job that needs compost and a new pot.
Next up, look what I found this morning! I made sure I grabbed it before anything else did, enjoying its tart sharpness. It felt like such a positive symbol as well.
Autumn is in evidence by way of several bushes with berries. The ones on the left sit on a bus underneath the tecomanthe speciosa, and the ones on the right, can be see on the path on the way up the steps from our house.
Finally, camellias. The buds in the bigger picture is from the bush to the side of the house, the other bud from the bush at the front of the house. The flower itself is from the bush that sits on the other side of the steps going up from the house, with its roots in our neighbours’ garden. This is always the first one to flower, so there are lots more to come.
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 
Your garden looks beautiful! It sounds like NZ has a really good grip on things when we listen to the news here – I hope you gain a little more freedom next week 🙂 🌿
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Thank you for showing us the photo of the white flowers of tecomanthe we were talking about last week or the one before. They are very pretty and I guess they must smell wonderful.
I ate my first (true )strawberry yesterday. The season has started !
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Interesting re the smell. I don’t remember the smell, so it must be subtle. I will wait until there is one at nose height and remind myself. Enjoy your strawberries!
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I echo Fred, above. Wonderful to see the tecomanthe! Will you have more strawberries now?
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There are still flowers, and I could see a very tiny strawberry, so maybe,.
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Enjoy!
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The tecomanthe is flowering, horrah! They look waxy, like a magnolia can be. Is that right? Love the salvia, that colour always makes my heart sing. Have a lovely week. 🙂
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Yes they are waxy as you say. So happy to see the flowers. Have a good week!
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Just love the blues of your salvia and Rosemary! Am keeping my fingers crossed for hairdressers reopening here too as mine has lost it!
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Beautiful! New Zealand’s gradual reopening is so much more reassuring than those in North America…
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We hope so…still uncertain times, and our borders are closed. Fingers crossed the right decisions have been made.
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Camellias are finished here, well at least in this part of England. Nice to see your camellias though. Hope enjoyed that wild strawberry.
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I did enjoy that strawberry.
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Fall is a lovely time. If you have a chance today, got to my site and see what’s in my garden. 😉
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Will do!
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My hair is out of control at the moment and I am coming to the conclusion I will not be able to go to the barbers for a month next week so I am gonna get my sister to shave it off as I look like an Alpaca. Your garden is looking vibrant as ever.
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Good luck with your hair cut!
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Vietnamese mint? I love Sasanquas and hope to see flowers soon…love your PM, from afar, do you?
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Yes the Vietnames mint has quite a different smell and taste to ordinary mint. The leaves are red and green and it grows quite tall. Yes I think Jacinda has done a great job. Of course she has her critics, but on the whole people are supportive. However, we are all tired of lockdown now just like everyone else.
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beautiful camellia!
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Hope you enjoyed your wild strawberry. Have a good week
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I did thanks! Enjoy your week.
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A lovely Six. I don’t knower the Three Kings climber at all, so was interested to see the lovely flowers. Love the very bold colour of the Salvia. My herbs have also been getting a little TLC before winter sets in.
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i just planted my first camellia. i’m worried about the soil requirements, i’ve mulched it with double shredded conifer clippings which i’m hoping will raise the acidity levels.
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They grow really well around here. Must be something in the soil and climate.
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