This is really a bit of a cheat post as I am actually in Christchurch today. It is the Labour Day holiday weekend and we have come down here to see family and have a short break. But I couldn’t not do a SoS post so here we go. Photos taken through the week and 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. And apologies as this put together on my iPad so hope it all hangs together!
First up, we got to the garden centre and picked up more pots, potting compost and a few more herbs, as if I don’t have enough. The rosemary and sage are both additional to what I have already, and the rue because I don’t have one. I am not sure this was the right choice as apparently it is a cat repellant, which is not what I want at all!
Next the lemon in a pot, which was there when we moved into the house, has flowers again. It flowers every year, and in reality should be moved from the pot…but where to?
I was working at home a couple of days this week, and always take a moment to pop outside for fresh air and inspiration. The other day I saw so many bees, enjoying the lavender and rhododendron – so lovely to see.
Next we come to a very pretty but invasive little viola of some kind. They pop up everywhere, and although pretty, do take over some corners and even one of the big pots.
All my thyme are looking good and being used a lot in the kitchen too. It is such a fragrant herb and a delight to have around.
Finally, a view of underneath the house to the slope. It all looks so pretty at the moment with the viburnum in flower.
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 
Pretty flowers coming on your lemon tree. All of mine are potted and have been in pot for several years. The largest is 2m high and it’s in a pot 60cm in diameter. I just have to change the soil regularly by giving it compost and citrus potting soil -as well as fertilizers.
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I did it feed it a while back, and should do so again.
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I feed it in early spring, when they flower, when they fruit and one last time in late summerr.
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Great close-ups of the Bumble Bee!
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Thanks!
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So many herbs to choose from!
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I know…one could fill a whole trolley,..
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A nice selection.
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Thanks!
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Loving the bumblebee shots and that rhodie is stunning! So nice to see the sunshine. Happy Labor Day to you!
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Thanks!
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Perfect close-up of a bumble bee. I am getting the urge to go to a garden centre soon, although for seeds we have a general store called Wilko here which does them very cheaply. I need to get some more bulbs but you will be past that stage now. Lovely colours as usual.
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Hope you get lots of seeds! It is always hard to resist.
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I know what you mean about viola taking over as have had this everywhere quite suddenly over the last few years. It’s ok in the right spot. I’ve ousted it from some areas. Campanula is another that seeds all over too.
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The trouble is they are quite pretty, but seem to spread quite easily.
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Believe it or not, violets don’t do well in my front gardens. Too much dry shade. The frothy viburnum really brightens that shady spot.
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I am really enjoying the viburnum at the moment.
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I wouldn’t worry about the cat repelling qualities of various herbs. I tried it to keep neighbours cat from attacking the birds and it used to sit under the rosemary before I removed it. The rosemary, that is, not the cat.
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The spots of white that viburnum brings are refreshing. Your trip to Christchurch sounds fun. Enjoy!
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What wonderful herbs! You can never have too many herbs. I say I “collect” them, because I don’t use many of them, just have them because they are new kinds to me!
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Oh me too!
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I think your lemon tree should be able to stay in a pot with good pruning and feeding. They don’t seem to mind. Lovely herbs, and what a terrific nursery you have available to your. Enjoy Labour weekend! We had ours at the beginning of October.
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I will give my lemon some special care then! Thanks – having a lovely weekend. Reporting on it soon.
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A nice selection of new herbs that you bought. I’m impressed with the bee photos, and agree with you that seeing the pollinators in the garden is a good feeling! The viburnum flowers add an extra ambience to the garden. I’m glad you did not miss out on a post!
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Thanks!
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Rosemary and sage don’t seem to repel our (Belgian) cats! But if you want to treat them plant some cat mint, they go mad for it.
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The rue is supposed to repel cats…if it could selectively keep away some cats that would be good! Our cat ignored the catnip I bought, but the neighbours’ cat loved it. Felt guilty I was giving their cat drugs 🙂
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😆
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I recognize a choisya ternata in the top photo? We have our lemon tree in a shady part of the garden, not by our choice as we rent the property but it seems to do well.
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Oh I am not sure what it is! It just grows under the house!
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Love your gorgeous feature image with all the fresh green foliage and the lovely white flowers.
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I hope you enjoyed the break, a chara & that you had a good week since.
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Yes thanks we had a lovely wee break!
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