It was almost a nice day here….lovely early this morning, but then it clouded over a bit. Still, not too a bad day weather-wise. Niwa (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) reported this week that the average temperature in the period June-July was 1.53C above the long-term New Zealand average for that period, and this winter is on track to be the warmest winter on record, breaking the record set just last year. Who says global warming is a myth?
The plants in the garden though don’t seem any further on than usual, maybe even slightly behind, in some cases, but you can definitely see that spring is on the doorstep. No camellias this week though there are still lots of flowers to be seen. The bush in front of the house was used as a meeting place by two very loud possums on Thursday evening. Not particularly pleasant! Anyway, 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.
Let’s start with the ‘things that are coming along nicely’ category. Here we have the first lot of tulips I have planted in a pot and one of the pots of daffodils. There are definitely more daffs on their way too.
At number two, the ‘things that think it is spring’ category. Here we have my first daffodil, a cheeky crocus that somehow found its way into a bowl of daffs, and the first iris. Actually, I fear this may be my only iris as not much happening with the other bulbs at the moment. The iris is a variety called Pixie, the daffs are Jetfire.
Next up the rosemary that hadn’t been looking so good is now looking better thanks to a bit of feeding and care. The rather shaggy lavender, that I have had for a few years and really need to move to either a bigger pot or somewhere else is flowering too. I just love the scent.
Over in herb corner, the echinacea is looking good, there are new leaves on the lemon verbena (which needs a bit of a prune too) and the rue has come back to life as well.
We have a large kawakawa bush to the front and right of the house (as well as several around the back). This is how it is looking at the moment. It is used as a traditional herbal remedy, and the leaves have a peppery taste.
Finally, the hellebores. I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
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 
You spoil me with all those spring beauties, when here the summer has been a washout and we are all wondering what our gardens are going to be come the autumn as a result of all the rain and poor light.
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Where are you located? Seems the summer in the northern hemisphere has been very mixed.
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if you say kawakawa leaves taste like pepper, have you ever tasted them? Do you eat them in salad? Or is it just used when needed as herbal medicine?
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I did once taste a little bit of a leaf, and have had it in bought seasonings.https://herbs.org.nz/herbs/kawakawa/ gives a good overview.
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thank you for the link which is very well detailed. It must be interesting and fun to taste for the experience but in moderation given the laxative properties described!
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Your Hellebores are looking very pretty and the Iris is gorgeous, a pity it looks to be the lone one.
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Yes am a bit disappointed with the iris, but early days yet. More annoying are the anemones which I put in the fridge and did everything right and no sign of anything yet.
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You have to wonder what happens with some plants..
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You do indeed!
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I love spring irises and that one is lovely. I hope the others are just fashionably late.
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We are seeing early signs of spring in South Africa too – such an exciting time!
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It is!
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I followed your link for kawakawa and learned that is in the same family as Piper nigrum, from which peppercorns come. It always amazes me that humans ever found out that these things are edible; start with a tiny amount and work up perhaps.
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Yes think you must be right – try a little, a little more and stop if you get sick? And how people discover what makes good medicine is interesting too.
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As we enter late summer, it is lovely to see spring flowers coming up.
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We are expecting an icy blast today, Sunday. Hope my plants don’t suffer too much.
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Fingers crossed for your plants!
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Oh this crazy, daffs, crocus, iris and hellebores 🙂
I’ve put in an order for daffs a while a go!!!
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Lovely! Do you cook the kawakawa or eat it as salad? The iris is a beautiful colour.
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You can make a tea from the Kawakawa leaves, and the berries can be used too. I have never risked anything myself as am unsure of doses and how much is too much to eat. I love the iris – so pleased with it but would like to see more!
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Ordering winter bulbs is almost upon us here.😱 Interesting post again.
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Thanks for stopping by!
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What a lovely garden. I giggled at your opening statement. have a lovely week.
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Thanks – have a good week too!
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Your bulbs are on a par with mine across The Ditch. I swear I could wave a teatowel and you might see me!
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🙂
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The spring pots of colour are looking promising, and it’s good to see the herbs coming to life again. Your Helebores are lovely. I’m feeling frustrated as mine has still not sent up a flower bud. I’ll have to move the pot to another location.
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I found cutting the hellebores back helped Mind you, you can never predict how plants will grow!
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You are right! Plants are very unpredictable! I have cut the plant back, still no sign of a new shoot or bud though. I think I will have to be more patient!
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Spring is such a time of promise. Love your little opportunistic crocus! And who doesn’t appreciate the optimism of a patch of hellebores?
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Oh you are so right re hellebores – they are so happy and cheery.
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As our season slowly descends into autumn its nice to see what’s happening on the other side of the world. Looks like you are going to have your hands full in a few weeks time!
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I think you are right….can hardly move for pots as it is 🙂
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Signs of spring definitely bring a sense of optimism. The daffodil in particular, made me happy!
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