Here we are on a rather wet Saturday afternoon, with no action planned outside today as a result. It is the General Election here today, and also voting on two referendums (legalising cannabis and the End of Life Choice Act). We voted two weeks ago, polling stations having extended opening, just in case we had to go up a level or two due to Covid-19. Anyway, we are here to celebrate gardens. 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.
1 First up, my begonias arrived. The pink halo should be have white petals edged with pink, and the fandango, white with red. We have had a cold week here, so I might wait until the end of the month before planting to be on the safe side. Also in the parcel was hymenocallis which apparently may not flower in the first year after planting, but we shall see and learn patience.
2 At number two, three surprises – a foxglove, a rejuvenated lemon verbena which looked nothing like this last week and has since received some TLC and fresh soil, and a carrot. Well, I had popped the top of a carrot into small dish of water, like you do as a child, and when it sprung some roots, stuck it in a pot and it is still growing. I doubt it will produce more than a tiny, orange root, but fun anyway.
3 Remaining with the pots outside, the country cream marjoram is looking good, and the pizza thyme is flowering. I must remember to gather the flowers to pop into some vinegar for later culinary use.
4 While it may be raining today, it was certainly sunny yesterday when I took the first picture of the rhododendron below. It looks quite stunning from outside, from the upstairs windows and from street level. The second picture was taken at lunch time today.
5 Since it is an afternoon to be indoors, maybe it is time to listen to some plant related podcasts such as Unearthed: mysteries from an unseen world from Kew Gardens which is quite interesting. Any recommendations of gardening/plant podcasts highly welcome.
6 Finally, the indoor cyclamen is still flowering, though the leaves are not looking too healthy. I think in fact all the indoor plants could do with some care this weekend!
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.
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 like those begonias you’ve selected, and they remind me of mine this year which were called ‘Rosebud’. I must dig them this week! I’m a fan of your variegated marjoram – a beautiful plant – and have noted its name.
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I really hope the begonias live up to my expectations!
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I love the foliage of the country cream marjoram. Very pretty.
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Ooh , that rhododendron !… stunning picture… It’s something else than mine with unusual autumn bloom 😂
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I love the rhododendron. Who ever it was who planted the well established plants around the house had good taste 🙂
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That rhododendron is spectacular. The cyclamen is lovely, too.
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What a lovely cyclamen! Nice bright colours, as usual.
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Country Cream marjoram and pizza thyme are ones I am not familiar with, but will be looking up later. I rather “collect” herbs!
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I had never heard of pizza thyme until I saw it in the garden centre. It really does remind one of pizza!
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Those rhododendrons took my breath away. Just lovely. I’ve grown hymenocallis. Some flowered in year one and others not. Keeping my fingers crossed for your as they are fantastic in flower.
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Good to hear – maybe I will be lucky!
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You may be alright with the hymenocallis. If they’ve got a chance to establish early may be alright. That said I’m still waiting on many of my agapanthus root stock to bulk out.
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At least I know what to expect/not to expect. I’ve seen a few agapanthus by the side of the road already here.
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I do like the variegated colour of the country cream marjoram. The Rhododendrons are a real mass of colour, aren’t they? The cyclamen is a lovely scarlet colour too. Unfortunately all our cyclamens have finished blooming.
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Yes the rhododendron is quite spectacular at the moment.
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I love rhododendrons and yours looks amazing. I always wanted one when we were in the UK but our soil was too chalky. Here it is too windy and humid.
I have a mystery plant which I can’t remember buying… and it looks just like your marjoram. curious
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We are so lucky that where we are rhododendrons and camellias seem to really like the area. I kind of remember buying the marjoram and really liking the leaves. Have you tried smelling them?
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Lovely range of plants and colours, but a friendly warning: Foxglove has gone wild here (Tasmania) and though pretty, is an invasive weed spreading through the bush and taking over areas. It is also toxic to many animals and can cause heart problems if handled too much by humans! Use gloves and don’t let it go to seed 😀
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I get begonia-envy! You’ll have a colourful display, no doubt.
What was the result of the End of Life referendum?
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We don’t know the results of the referendums yet.
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