It is the end of July already, day 212 of the year, and a gloriously sunny day, with bright blue skies. It is supposed to be 16C, but it is definitely a bit warmer on our little terrace, which always gets the afternoon sun. Anyway, not much new to report this week I am afraid, but here are my six. Thanks to The Propagator who encourages us to share what is going on in our gardens in all parts of the world. Check out the participant guide if you want to join in.
First, thank you to all those who identified the sarcococca for me. I had a look to see which one it might be and think sarcococca confusa. It does have a glorious smell.
This week’s highlight for me – hellebores. There are two ‘clumps’ next to the house with lots of flowers at the moment. I love them – so pretty, so delicate.
Over with the herbs, and the lemon verbena, variegated sage and lemon balm are all showing strong signs of growth at the moment. All the rosemary plants are doing well, especially the funny little bush at the side of the house. I must take some time to sort all these out soon and decide what I need or should replace.
And over to the bulbs, where I hope you can see some progress from last week. I’m looking forward to a decent display soon. There are some daffodils out in the Botanic Gardens already, so it can only be days until I have some flowers.
While everything else is growing and blooming, there has been no progress with the mahonia berries. Maybe next week?
Finally, over to the camellias. The top four pictures are the glorious bush at the back of the house, and you can just see the magnolia buds. On magnolia, there are some magnificent flowers in the Botanic Gardens already. The flower at the bottom is from the front of the house.
That is it for me for now – I hope to have something new to show you next 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 @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
Such pretty blooms you have to show off. My bulbs are putting forth leaves and I hope the freesias will blossom soon. You have reminded me to get pots of herbs growing once more as mine are looking very tatty indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – look forward to seeing your bulbs and freesias soon. I think I really need to have a good tidy up and sorting of my herbs. Some are looking better than others.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely photos. Can’t wait to see the Daffodils in flower – looking forward to it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks and me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh, your bulbs are coming along fast. I always enjoy your blue sky shots.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought the bulbs were quite slow…and then I looked at last week’s pictures….
LikeLiked by 2 people
My lemon verbena didn’t survive the winter… It’s a shame because I had it for 5-6 years and I’ve looked desperately for a life sign but the roots are rotten. You are very lucky: keep it preciously because it’s very pleasant for herbal teas, ice creams, or in dishes
LikeLiked by 2 people
I will look after it! Do my best at least…..!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gorgeous camellias!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love them too!
LikeLike
Lovely garden and images, I particularly like the photo of the single hellebores flower.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely hellebores, I only have the purple ones but they certainly earn their place. The camellias keep on looking good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! There are some pale green hellebores in the Botanic Gardens that are quite pretty too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Sarcococca confusa has black fruits and that yours may be S. ruscifolia. They’re very similar in other respects. My Magnolia, brutally cut down a couple of years ago, already has flower buds for next spring. Vulcan, raised in New Zealand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I checked and you are right. Glad to hear your magnolia is coming to life!
LikeLike
Pretty pictures! It is so refreshing to see your Hellebores from my sofa in South Florida where we are broiling/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Hope you have a cool place to retire to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sitting under the aircon!
LikeLike
Your hellebores are lovely, we have a few too, not as advanced as yours, but I am hopeful.
I’ve just passed on the name of your blog to a friend in Nelson, her daughter has moved to Wellington and I’m sure she will enjoy your food and eating out posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure your hellebores will be flowering soon. Mine are behind the ones in the Botanic Gardens. Oh and thank you for passing on my blog! What a lovely thing to do.
LikeLike
Positively spring like. Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like spring is in the air, always a welcome time of year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It felt like it this weekend too!
LikeLike
The hellebores are lovely. I’m waiting patiently for mine to flower, and no sign of buds yet. Your herbs are all looking nice and healthy, and the camellias are beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always love looking at the “greens” that each plant nicely dresses it’s leaves in or frames a flower – thanks for sharing.
Catherine in Aks, where hopefully tonight isn’t as wild as it was last night – not much sleep with the wind and rain. And a lot of nice trees in Auckland region fell, never to be upright again…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I saw in the news about the storms in Auckland – hope you stayed safe and warm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Camelias – wow!!
LikeLiked by 1 person