After a very wet week, the sun has returned. I was able to get out and finish some of the planting, a little bit of repotting, and stand back to consider how much everything has suddenly grown. There are quite a lot of things that have outgrown their pots, but having run out of potting compost and seriously considering if I have the right size and shape of pots, I decided to make a pot of tea and write the blog post. Anyway, it is time for Six on Saturday. 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.
I don’t know how many pictures of camellias you have all had to look at over the past weeks – months even, but the bush outside the house continues to flower, with these bright pink blooms. And, as there are still buds, you may well see another picture or two in the weeks to come.
Next, another old favourite on this blog, nasturtiums. I have planted some more too – some mixed ones and one called Bloody Mary, which looks like a red/yellow flower. Fingers crossed.
At number three, along with the usual cat activity (Charlie has been having a staring competition with one of the neighbour’s cats, Indie, and I have just seen Bodie, the big ginger cat, run past), there have been bees, one poor early cicada, and this black-headed jumping spider which I managed to capture sitting on one of the sage plants. It is an active hunting spider, with good eyesight, and which pounces on prey from a few centimetres away. Harmless to humans though.
And so to the herbs…chocolate mint, oregano, lemon balm and tarragon all doing fine, as are all the thymes. The oregano is a particular favourite, as it started life as a supermarket pot herb, which I planted outside probably 5 years ago, and yet it still keeps going. Sometimes the things you don’t expect to do well, just do.
Next up, the Peruvian lilies have buds, and I expect a display of bright yellow flowers in a new weeks. Yes, most of the garden does look like a jungle at the moment – warmer temperatures and lots of rain!
Finally…not strictly in the garden, but situated at the bottom of the stairs to the house, so kind of ‘ours’ is this lovely flowering shrub that I suspect is a deutzia. Happy for anyone who knows better to suggest something! It is looking just so beautiful at the moment, a bright splash of frothy white flowers saying hello when you come home from a day at work.
So that is my six for 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 
Yes it looks like a deutzia. Lovely shrub. And I also love your several camellia photos …!
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Oh thanks!
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The black headed jumping spider was interesting to see. Your herbs are growing well and look nice and healthy. I will be interested to see the yellow flowers on the Peruvian lilies.
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Last year we had a lovely display of Peruvian lilies so let’s hope we do this year as well.
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How wonderful all is growing so well. But my excitement is the Deutzia. I have been looking at shrubs and Deutzia is one I had in mind and came across Deutzia Scabra, which is possibly your wonderful specimen. I could be wrong but hope the info. helps. Best wishes from a cold wet dismal England. 🙂
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I am really enjoying the deutzia. Thanks so much for identifying which one! Hope you get some winter sun.
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Those frothy white flowers are a lovely sight. As for camellias…who could ever get tired of looking at those beauties. Finally, enjoyed seeing that jumping spider.
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I have to say I am enjoying the camellias too.
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I’m with Keith on it being Deutzia scabra, possibly the variety ‘Candidissima’, though you may have different varieties out there. I’ve posted Camellia pics too, shows just how long they flower.
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Thanks for identifying the deutzia – I’ll do a bit more investigation now. Love your camellias too.
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Yes you can get candidissima here (at least found one in a garden centre up in New Plymouth!).
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I don’t think you can have too many camellias, and this one proves the point. The Deutzia is beautiful, a cutting perhaps? Have a good week. 🙂
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Yes you are right about the camellias! Might try and sneak a cutting of the Deutzia… 🙂
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Am a big fan of nasturtiums, they always look good and cheerful, yours is no exception. Herbs look wonderful. I also have an oregano doing surprisingly well in my woodland garden, strange!
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How wonderful to have warm weather to look forward to. Yes, indeed, a deutzia and very pretty too. Lovely camellia too.
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Looks like a deutzia to me too. The herbs are looking good and healthy. I hope you have some yummy recipes for them.
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I use the thyme and mint quite a bit at least.
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Keep the camellias photos coming! Chocolate mint sounds very tasty.
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I wish I could upload photos to this comment of my garden, you would love it, everything is blooming.
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Yes I would! Can you post the link to your blog?
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Happy to see more of your Camellias each week!
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A pot of tea provides time to ponder! You’ve chosen well, Barbara.
I have removed a large fuchsia and I feel that a Camelia will suit the spot. Perhaps tea will clarify matters further. I hope you had a lovely week. Beir bua, a chara.
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