Can you tell me how we have reached October already? The daffodils are almost – but not completely – over, things are springing (sorry!) up all over the place, and there are days warm enough to sit outside with a cup of tea. 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. Photos taken on Wednesday and today.
First up, a sparaxis or harlequin flower. To be honest, I had forgotten about these, as had planted them last year when they didn’t do much. I was pleasantly surprised to see the flowers as last year I think I had one. The plants are a bit ‘leggy’ for want of a better word, but there has been a decent display of flowers.
Next, over to ‘herb corner’ to visit ones that are flowering. The old supermarket chive plant has lots of buds and one flower. Hopefully can gather a few flowers to add to a salad. The bigger of my two sage plants has two buds, and I can see signs of potential of lovely bright red flowers on the pineapple sage.
At number three, the ajuga, which provides great cover in a shady patch beside the house. I love the colour, but as I have said before, they are not my favourite plants, but to dig them up means a major project.
Next up, more from herb corner. There is still a lot of lavender on the old bush, a second echinacea flower about to open up. Both rosemary plants are looking good, and even the old oregano that I cut back earlier in the year, is producing lots of new growth.
At number five…..these two little nasturtiums, from a plant that has grown up from seeds that made their way to one of the large pots that has a small lemon tree. I haven’t even got around to planting the next lot of seeds so expect lots more in the weeks to come.
Finally, this week’s daffodils. No words necessary I think!
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 
The nasturtiums are lovely and the harlequin flower intriguing. I have recently discovered entirely by accident jow easily pineapple sage roots in water. Do you have to bring yours in over the winter?
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Oh that is interesting about the pineapple sage. I keep mine outside in winter, but guess our winters are not that bad.
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The Sparaxis looks very cheerful! They don’t seem to do very well round here, I’m not quite sure what the reason is exactly. Anyway, glad to see yours in flower!
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I think I had one flower last year, so just left the bulbs where they were and got a much better display this year. Maybe they need a winter in the ground? Think I will leave them again this year and see what happens. I feel they are a ‘bonus plant’ so don’t mind what happens to them.
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My pineapple sage is at the same flowering stage as yours, heading into winter. Sparaxis rings a bell from the distant past; very pretty, I must look them up.
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Well, I thought pineapple sage flowered in late summer too…maybe my plant thinks it is in the Northern Hemisphere! We had a very mild winter, so maybe the plant has been fooled…
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The sparaxis is really a very pretty flower and you did well to take it close up. Already the flowers of nasturtium…. and soon the capers!
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Yes I was thinking about the capers too! Still have a few left to keep me going until the new batch.
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A lovely selection of daffodils. I do love the white ones.
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I’m really pleased with the white ones – new this year.
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A lovely selection. Prompted by your SoS last week I picked up some Thalia bulbs from Wilko this morning.
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Oh do hope to see your Thalia come your spring!
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Beautiful sparaxis and daffodils 🙂
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That sparaxis is great – I would have guessed some type of species tulip! Beautiful daffs!!
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I’m really pleased with the sparaxis, especially as I had forgotten about it! I am so pleased with my daffs this year.
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Aah! Nasturtium season already…..jolly good. Your herbs are, as always, very healthy and interesting. I don’t really use much of a variety in my cooking, mint, chives, sage, bay leaves and occasionally thyme but the plants are worth having in their own right.
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I use the oregano and lemon balm as well, but some things I am not quite sure what to do with, but I do enjoy looking at them! Need to plan my nasturtium seed planting so I get flowers for a good length of time.
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My pineapple sage is also coming into flower! How odd that they do so at the same time. I shall need to bring mine inside soon though I might leave one pot outdoors and see how it fares. I like ajuga – it makes great ground covering in shade and stops weeds appearing. The flowers are quite lovely when you look at them.
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I’m not sure why my pineapple sage is flowering…as I said to Jim it might be confused…or because we had a mild winter. I did read somewhere that some salvias bloom here in spring. The ajuga is in a perfect spot in the shade and definitely keeps weeds out. You are right – the flowers are lovely close up.
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Perhaps you already know that sparaxis originates from the Western Cape in South Africa. I never tire of nasturtiums and am looking forward to mine germinating after this bout of light rain.
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Yes – there are quite a lot of South African plants here – Southern Hemisphere friends! I’m like you, I never tire of nasturtiums too.
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October already means a few different things, wonderful to read your spring perspective.
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Yes..October is spring for us!
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Lovely daffs. The white one looks a bit like ‘Thalia’ which I had for the first time this year too. I hadn’t heard of pineapple sage before.
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The white daffodil is Thalia!
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I always look forward to reading your blog. I love pictures of daffodils anytime of year. I know it is simple science and nature but i always find it weird when Spring bulbs flower in other parts of the world at a completely different time of the year.
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Thanks and I know what you mean…took me time to adjust moving here.
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You’ve got some very healthy looking herbs there!
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Most of them…there are a couple of sad ones well hidden!
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it’s nice to see some Spring growth and flowers in our gardens, I was surprised to see my Sage plant flowering over the weekend.
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Yes I was also surprised by my sage flower.
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Sweet, sweet spring flowers!
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Always love your garden pics – they brighten up my days!
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Thank you!
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