Six on Saturday 30.01.21

Thistles and Kiwis,

Here we are at the end of January already. With wind, rain and sun this week, plants have either collapsed (the hymenocallis) or thrived (various). A dangerous email arrived this week from Bulbs Direct – I don’t need to explain I am sure – you are all very much aware of what this means. Yes folks it is time for us in the Southern Hemisphere to think about what bulbs to plant come the autumn. I’m getting my order in early this year. Last year I left it late and we went into lockdown so don’t want to get caught again. 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. 

So first up, the featured image and the one below…the surviving dahlia is about to flower. I looked back to check the variety (the label I put on it has blown away) and it is Art Fair. And yes there were little bugs on it – consequently removed. I should see white blooms soon.

Next up, this weeks nasturtium pictures, because there just have to be some. The bees certainly like them as you can just see. The yellow flowers are the ones I brought in after the storm the week before, and they have done so well in a vase of water, with all the little buds coming out. I feel this is such a bonus somehow.

As I was looking around to see how things were and looking for this to photograph and found this nice, ripe wild strawberry. I naturally picked it and ate it and I have to say it was bursting with flavour. Glad I got to it before the birds.

The alstroemeria are coming to an end, though there are still quite a few blooms about. The seed pods are just as interesting. There has been a really good display this year, and it is sad to see the end of the season.

Over in herb corner, I am really pleased with the discount lavender I bought, which seems to be settling in fine. Both oregano plants are flowering, and I will harvest the flowers tomorrow to make flavoured vinegar. The hyssop flowers are also really pretty, and I have included the salvia flowers here too because it makes for a lovely lilac and purple block of pictures.

Finally, the eucomis which is currently looking like this…hoping for more progress and pictures next week.

So that is me for now from Wellington. 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

Published by Thistles and Kiwis

40 Comments

  3. Beautiful photos! The close up of the lavender flower is a stunner!

    It’s so interesting to see a garden at completely the opposite point in the year to my own (in the UK). Glad you’re managing to enjoy the odd wild strawberry before the local fauna do – they’re a diminutive treat 🙂

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  4. It could be bulb buying season any time: there are bulbs to plant in the summer, autumn, and spring! Be careful though, but maybe you have a large garden.

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  7. It’s years since I grew nasturtiums and they are so very colourful – I think it’s time to give them a go again.

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  9. All right, I will buy some nasturtium seeds, you have convinced me. I understand the main problem here is blackfly which can be a pain, do they attack in New Zealand? Lovely herbs again.

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  13. I absolutely love your photo of the bee almomst buried in the nasturtium! So nice to see these repeatedly, it makes me look forward to mine more keenly. I think herb flowers are very beautiful, small and delicate.

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  18. I love the bees little bottoms in the garden so cute. We don’t have enough soil on our land yet for bulbs but one day definitely. Wild strawberries such a little treat. Beautiful photos you share, have a happy bee buzzing week ahead.

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  21. Happy hunting in those bulb catalogues, Barbara.
    We understand what you mean about getting caught out because of lockdown. It means that we have to plan ahead a bit more.
    Have a great gardening week. Spring is springing here. 🇮🇪

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