It has been a lovely sunny week here – of course, because I returned to work and the office on Monday. Outside things are looking very green, flowers are blooming and leaves are being attacked by cabbage white butterflies which seem to be plentiful this year. In my email inbox this week was a mail about ordering bulbs – can it be that time already? 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.
First up, the featured image and the two pictures below are of the Hymenocallis Advance which is now flowering with its stunning shape and wonderful detail. This is the first time I have grown this, and am very pleased with it. The first picture below is from Thursday, the one below was taken today.
At number two this week, more nasturtiums. I just love the pale yellow ones with the dark red paint spots. The dark red ones are a variety called Bloody Mary.
Last week’s featured image was echinacea, and there are quite a few more flowers appearing. It is another one I am so happy with this year, after thinking it had given up the ghost. It is such a gorgeous plant.
Over to the herbs…think this is a repeat of last week…the dill flowers, that look like little golden stars, the delicate flowers on the lemon balm and the happy looking basil that shows it is worth replanting those supermarket plants.
The alstroemeria are in their last days though there are still plenty of blooms. The seed heads are also pretty, and I’ll probably post pictures again like I did last year of when they open.
And to finish…that very attractive weed, the agapanthus. There are a few on the steps up to the house both blue and white, and one white one beside the house, which I really should pull up and get rid of, but can’t bring myself to do so.
So that is me for now from Wellington – a bit brief but some pictures of summer. 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 
How funny! I featured aggies too. They’re so stalwart! Love all your offerings this week but especially the Hymenocallis Advance and the nasturtiums. As you say, summer is here!
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Must pop over and have a look at your post! Yes summer is here!
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My mum always grew Nasturtiums.
I have grown them years ago.
Looking at your lovely photos has made me add them to my seed shopping list for the summer.
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I had a packet labelled ‘mixed’ which had the pretty yellow ones in as well as the more usual orange. I think they are so pretty.
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I like the Nasturtium bloody Mary. Lovely rich red. I went with some that were meant to be a dark red but they just look as if they’ve gone over.
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I was a bit uncertain when I bought the seeds, but very pleased with the result. You can just never tell!
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The hymenocallis is very beautiful – not one for our Irish gardens but can be grown successfully in a pot in the glasshouse here.
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Lovely photos, I especially like the flowers of the dill – very pretty.
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None of my Alstroemerias has ever set seed, I wonder if they’re sterile varieties or whether it just isn’t warm enough. Like I need more! Love the Hymenocallis, might even have it on order? My memory’s totally gone.
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The alstroemeria spread a bit like weeds here. Very pretty of course but I notice them in lots of gardens here, and not all ones that are looked after. Hope you have ordered a hymenocallis,
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II love the Bloody Mary nasturtium! Such a deep red colour … Concerning the Hymenocallis, another 2 months and I will replant my bulbs (overwintered indoors right now): such pretty flowers
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I think I will need to bring the hymenocallis inside for winter too. We don’t get frost, but it can get quite chilly. I am so pleased with the nasturtiums this year.
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It always makes me laugh when you call your agapanthus weeds, there are a lot of people in this country who would love such weeds. Mind you, they are a nightmare to dig out! Love your Hymenocallis, what a stunner!
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Are there many types of your favourite nasturtiums? Very pretty anyway. Keep showing that weed!
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Well, one packet was labelled ‘mixed’ which produced the pale yellow ones. I think I am going to do a bit more research into them.
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The pale yellow nasturtium is very pretty and I love the picture of the dill flowers.
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Beautiful, beautiful, especially the Hymenocallis Advance. I, too, have a fondness for nasturtiums, and I was thinking it was time to order some packets for my back garden.
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Nasturtiums are easy to grow and look pretty but can be a bit invasive if you are not careful!
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Yes, I have had experience with their invasive ways.
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Oh to have agapanthus in my weed assortment! It would look so good with my dandelions!
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Spider lily? It is a beauty. And I particularly like that pale yellow nasturtium. I am now trying to remember if I bought a pack of seeds in the autumn. I know I wanted some different colours. Aggies are so pretty, I hope mine do a bit more flowering this year, but I must remember to repot them in the spring as I stuck three in one pot when I bought them as they were very small. Lovely summery photos – just what we northerners need!
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I am really pleased with the nasturtiums this year. Agapanthus – keep the in the pots so they don’t spread! Happy to share a little summer.
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That is a beautiful Hymenocallis Advance! I tried growing a Peruvian daffodils once, but had no luck. Nasturtiums are among my favorites and generally do well here.
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Beautiful photos!
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We love the nasturtiums they are such happy little pops of colour in the garden, love your beautiful flower photos. We have planted spring onions purchased from the supermarket still going strong after 3mnths & some have gone to seed. Have a wonderful day & magnificent week head.
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Thank you! Hope you have a good week too.
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I love dill, both in flower and in food – we had some this evening: yoghurt with garlic, dill and coriander, to go with a curry and rice. It has such a fresh and uplifting flavour. They are quick plants to bolt, aren’t they? And as usual, it’s a pleasure to see the warm colours of the nasturtiums and all your lovely summery plants.
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I love dill too – the perfect thing for a potato salad. But yes the plants are quick to bolt. Ah well…
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Beautiful flowers that brighten up my winter day here. Just want to let you know that I start hosting a blog link up Weekend Coffee Share every Friday, Everyone is welcome to join any and every week. I hope you consider joining. Details on my blog. Have a great day!
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Oh that sounds fun! Will go and have a look.
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Dear friend — How lovely to discover your beautiful blog! Here in Virginia, USA, winter has us firmly in its grasp, so your pictures lift me up. When you highlighted your happy basil, i glimpsed the plump cheeks of the new growth. Happy indeed. Warm wishes to you and your garden! Carol Ann
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Beautiful!!!
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Thank you for sharing the lovely array of nasturtium flowers. I miss the spicy flavor of their flower petals. My efforts to grow from seed last year did not meet with success, but I am inspired to give it another go this spring.
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Yes you should have another go.
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It’s so good to see such summery blooms. Enjoy it, Barbara. Your photographs have cheered me up!
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