Another week of spring weather, with stormy moments (125km winds…), rain, sunshine…nothing unusual for this time of year here. Our clocks go forward this weekend, so we are all and truely entering the warmer half of the year. I have even seen a couple of agapanthus on the way to work. The daffodils are over, the blue muscari are still around if patchy, but no white ones yet. Things are coming to life, including a bowl of something that has lost its tag. The carrot top I put in water (I know…but why not?) produced a little root so for fun have put it in a pot. Who knows if a carrot, even if tiny, will materialise. Anyway, thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens. Check out the participant guide if you want to join in.
The hellebores survived the gale force winds, and are still looking quite beautiful. I may have already said, but we have had a wonderful display this year.
Next up, some more ajuga, which are also looking good, forming a nice border at the side of the house in a space that needs a plant like this at this time of the year.
There are still quite a few camellias around particularly on the bush in front of the house. There are a few white ones left too, but it is the pink ones that are still adding colour to the garden.
There are a few well established hebe around the house, some of which are flowering now. The picture below doesn’t really get the subtle colours of the flowers, but you get the idea!
Over to the herbs…the lavender is still looking stunning and attracting lots of bees. I definitely did the right thing cutting it well back last year as it has a lot more flowers this year. The same could not be said for the Vietnamese mint, which obviously did not like being cut back and is not really showing any signs of new life. I’ll see how things go with it in the next few weeks, but it looks like it may have just had its day. Meanwhile, I have lots of parsley and thyme, particularly the chicken thyme and pizza thyme. I have even kept my supermarket basil plant going in the kitchen. I might even pot it outside once the weather gets a little warmer.
Finally, and also in the featured image at the top of the post, the rhododendron, which is always a little later than most of the others around where we live. There are a fair few flowers already, and a lot of buds, so hoping for a decent display. It isn’t the healthiest of trees, but comes back year in year out with some gorgeous flowers. The picture below was taken hanging out of the bedroom window, the one at the top from the decking.
So that’s it for me this week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you.
PS. I’ll be posting some pictures of the Botanic Gardens in spring on Wednesday if anyone wants to pop by then.
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 
Lovely lavender and that view with the blue sky is rather splendid.
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The header photo is really very pretty, it gives an exotic touch and must perfectly resemble New Zealand landscapes.
My ajugas have red leaves but the flowers are (were) the same. Excellent ground cover
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Yes ajugas are good at covering the ground. Interesting that yours have red leaves.
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Lovely long shot at the start. You are having a good lot of sunshine but very strong winds. I hope they settle down soon.
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Thanks! We had another storm last night. Will need to check for fallen branches later this morning.
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Such a beautiful time of year. New green growth and flowers. Love it!
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It is a lovely time of the year I agree.
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What kind of lavender is that? The flowers look more on the French side, but the leaves don’t. I can’t grow French lavender, but love the look. I get too cold for it.
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It is French lavender – but we do get different varieties here!
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You’ve reminded me I need to dig out several self-seeded hebes to put up. They’ve turned up a year on from digging out a patch that was old and tired.
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They aren’t a big favourite of mine, but I suspect these ones may be native, so I will have to leave them be,.
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No, I’m not a massive fan, thus digging them out, but I don’t like to waste a free plant. Someone else may enjoy.
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I love your feature image, it looks so tropical and inviting. Your latest hellebore looks very pretty – I bought two more this week and hope that they do well and give a good display. Enjoy what remains of your weekend!
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Thanks! It looks a bit different this morning – grey and wet.
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Your garden is looking so colourful. I’ve just bought home my 4th rose – sigh I don’t think I have anymore room now for anything else.
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I have a whole pile of New World Little Garden seeds….never mind the seeds I bought….I am sure you could squeeze in an extra rose.
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lovely to see you hellebores, mine are still very scruffy looking. they have a few months to buck up their ideas, mind.
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I know I’ve said it before, but it’s lovely to see your other side of the world garden!
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Clocks forward… That’s an exciting milestone for the gardening year ahead!
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