As we approach the shortest day, the weather remains mild here, with day time temperatures up to 16 or 17C, with nights around 12C. With the odd bits of rain as well, things continue to grow well out there. I’ve been able to get out and tidy a bit, but with so many pots now on the terrace, reaching the ones at the back (sorry curry plant and thyme) is a bit tricky. I really need a reorganisation somehow! 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. Let’s look at this week’s six.
To start with, has anyone else tried a mushroom growing kit? This one arrived on Friday, and results will of course be reported here – good or bad. If you have experience of these, do let me know.
At number two, a constant job at the moment is sweeping up leaves and petals. The colours are gorgeous, but the steps do have to be kept clean as they become very slippery when wet. This was what I had to sweep up today.
There are lots of bushes with berries around the house right now, these ones are on the bushes in front of the kitchen window. I picked a few branches on Wednesday to pop in a small vase for a bit of colour inside the house.
In fourth place, we have what I am calling pik ‘n’ mix corner, where we find the dahlia still going strong, a few violas still smiling at me at our front door, the lemon verbena looking good, the rosemary in pots look fine, and the one at the side of the house (featured image) which has really come on since being moved.
Next, a round up of this week’s camellias. There are a few white flowers now and still lots of blooms on the two bushes near the house. I can see lots of buds at the back of the house that I really should go out and check on.
To finish, another recurring regular at this time of year, the tecomanthe speciosa or Three Kings Vine. I can see lots of buds still to open up, and imagine the display will continue for quite a while.
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 
Your dahlia is doing well, it seems to have been flowering for weeks and weeks. I’ve always fancied a go at mushroom growing, so I will be watching with great interest!
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I know…the dahlia just keeps n flowering! I will definitely report on the mushrooms.
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Lovely and healthy looking tumbling rosemary in your first photo, and the fallen leaves look so pretty on the steps. Have never tried growing mushrooms but am curious, keep us posted on what you have to do and how it works out!
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I will report on the success or failure of the mushrooms. Thanks for stopping by!
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I love your trailing rosemary too! We have also just bought a mushroom kit.
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Oh do let us know about your mushrooms too.
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Amazing that you still have a dahlia going…. mine gave up ages ago, as soon as the first frost occurred. I grew mushrooms many years ago, and they were quite successful. It will interesting to follow the progress of yours.
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We haven’t had any frost here yet. Our garden is also very sheltered. I am still a bit amazed at the dahlia though.
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The Three Kings vine is very pretty, and flowering through winter is something special. I thought our Dahlias flowered for a long time this year, but yours are even better!
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I really am amazed at my dahlia….it really brings joy.
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A lovely collection of photos from your garden. I particularly enjoyed your aesthetic appreciation of the mixed petals and leaves that add beauty and hazard to your stairway.
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Thank you!
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Three Kings Vine has such wonderful flowers! I enjoyed seeing your fall leaves. I haven’t seen any in years. I had a mushroom log several years ago – got one tiny mushroom after the log rotted. My dog stepped on it. I think you are in a better climate for mushroom growing.
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I’ll be interested to see how the mushrooms turn out. The Three Kings Vine is really pretty.
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I am interested in the mushrooms as well. I think mine were Shiitake and I wasn’t sure enough about the ID to consider eating the mushroom.
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I’m going to try starting the kit today.
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A fine selection of leaves on the steps!
A friend had great success growing Oyster Mushrooms from a kit. I think they got three blooms (if that’s the right word) in total. Good luck!
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Thanks!
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Beautiful dahlias, camellia and tecomanthes flowers !
I tried Shiitake mushrooms 2 years ago with success in my kitchen but failed with Paris mushrooms 😂
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Thanks and we’ll see how the mushrooms work out!
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I love the colour of the autumn leaves – all those rich reds and burnt oranges. I know you have to sweep them up but at least you have the photo to remind you.
I’ve never tried a mushroom kit. I hope it does well for you.
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Yes the colours of the leaves are so lovely even though it is a bit of trial having to sweep them up all the time! I’ve started the mushroom kit off…let’s see!
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Lol we have a mushroom kit in the laundry cupboard that I keep forgetting about thanks for reminding me. haha. We have had quite a few kits over the years but the last couple of years they haven’t grown at all. I often wonder what’s really in the soil. Be interesting to check ours out would love to see how yours does. Flower photos are just stunning. Are the berries a lilly pilly?
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Yes I do wonder what is in the kit too, but going to give it a go and hopefully get something to eat! I’m not sure what the berries are – they came from a bush in front of the house.
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Autumn leaves can be very slippery indeed. The berries in the white vase make a pretty combination. Good luck with the mushrooms.
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Thanks Laurie and yes – leaves can be slippery.
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You have some really gorgeous photos in this post! The leaves on your steps look lovely – although I can imagine they get slippery.
I have some large rosemary plants in my garden, they are in bloom now too, very pretty! And it’s good to be reminded of Camelias – I saw a large shrub (maybe even tree) in a garden in late April when I was out for a walk, and as soon as I knew what it was, I decided I need to get one!
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Yes you should definitely get a camellia – they are lovely. Thanks for stopping by!
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Beautiful flowers you have in your garden. I’ve seen all of them here, except the Three Kings Vine. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
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The Three Kings Vine is a native plant. Sorry I just added this to coffee share without the link – I’m having some WordPress issues at the moment!
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I don’t have a garden but hanging over the fence are some nice camellias which that neighbour never sees as the house-fence ratio is less than a metre. The rest of the time I have to go out to see any type of garden, I was at the Auckland domain on Sunday where there are some beautiful glasshouses. Unfortunately one is shut for refurbishment but I did get steamed up in the hothouse…
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I’m looking forward to reading how your mushrooms progress. That dahlia has been good value this year. Lovely Six-on-Saturday again.
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I’m a bit worried about the mushrooms as we are going away for the weekend so I won’t get to water them. Ah well, we will see. I agree – that dahlia has been such good value this year.
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Those are gorgeous!!! I’ve never tried a mushroom kit
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We’ll see what happens!
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