It has been a gorgeous, sunny, summer day here, with bright blue skies, buzzing bees…and the sounds of noisy outside DIY going on at a neighbour’s house. To be fair, they are doing some really nice renovations to the outside of the house and are keen gardeners, so they are forgiven. The weather has not been as good for most of this week though, with some torrential rain falling, floods in some places, and some really humid days. Still, today is lovely for what will be the last Six on Saturday for 2021, given next week is Christmas Day. Many 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 up, dahlia news, and there are buds now on all four plants, with last year’s already flowering. I had hoped to show you at least one more plant in flower, but it is not to be unfortunately. I might pop pictures up on Instagram or the Thistles and Kiwis Facebook page if I get some good blooms or hopefully on 1 January 2022 (what a thought!).
Next up, herb corner, this week featuring the variegated marjoram again because I love it, the lemon verbena because it has grown apace and I love the smell and, not really a herb, but edible, a ripe wild strawberry again during the week eaten by me before any bird spotted it. I bought another basil plant in the supermarket today – let’s see what happens with this one!
At number three, nasturtium time. This one is in flower, more are popping up, hopefully some more interesting varieties too. I had a great success with them last year so hope to again this year.
Next up, another picture of the salvia blue black because it really is beautiful. It is in my line of vision too from the table at which I am writing.
In amongst the alstroemeria, the hostas are coming into flower. I’m in the ‘like’ hostas camp, and am always glad to see them on display. Meanwhile, the hymenocallis has yet to produce buds, and I suspect that the pot it is in may be a bit too small this year.
Finally, naturally at this time of the year, a host of golden alstroemeria. Not a lot more to say about these really!
That is my six this week, and as usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyoneās beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you, and may you all have a wonderful festive season and see you in 2022.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitterā¦.am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
it would be great to see this dahlia open on January 1st!
you’ll see alstroemeria too in my Six this week, but much less ahead, that’s normal … š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will be spending the next few days checking on the dahlias…joyeux NoĆ«l!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am basking in your lovely summer’s day. A bud is almost as good as a flower and they will still be flowering in January I am sure. I’m looking forward to seeing them. As a big salvia fan, I am drooling over the blue black or was it black blue. Happy Christmas to you and yours, have a good one x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Christmas to you too!
LikeLike
Wow to the host of golden alstroemeria. Have a very Happy Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your ‘Lemon Balm’ is called Lemon Verbena here Aloysia citrodora. We also do have Lemon Balm which indeed has a soapy flavour. I use Lemon Verbena all year round, fresh of course during the summer. Young leaves cut fine and sprinkled over fresh fruits like Mango is quite magical, also I dry it and have it as a tea all through the winter. There are many recipes using it and I would recommend it in baking. But of course it may not be to your taste. Seeing your summer garden at Christmas is such a different to view to the one I have out my window at the moment. A very Happy Christmas to you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lemon verbena on mango sounds amazing, must remember that for next summer! I like the tea too, so zingy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that was a good idea to try from Noelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to read the NZ weather has been good for you. We are not enjying great weather!! Thank you for ace SoS š Alstromeria looking superb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seeing your flowers is like a flashback to August for me. Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely to see all your herbs looking so fresh whilst mine are sulking. My lemon verbena suffered last winter, but eventually came back. I am now dithering whether to cut it back or wait until the spring. The variegated marjoram is very tempting.
āNadelek Lowen ha Bledhen Nowydh Daā š¤¶š» xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought my lemon verbena had gone over the winter too, and it has bounced back so maybe wait until the spring. God Jul och gott
nytt Ć„r!
LikeLike
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very pretty variegated marjoram and great to see the nasturtiums are back š
Merry Christmas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!, Dahlias and height of summer Alstroemerias and a couple of weeks ago you were still on Camellias. Everything happens much faster in the growing season; garden time has practically stopped here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parts of the ‘garden’ look like a jungle at the moment! We back onto bush that isn’t cultivated as well (and yet I can walk to work in 25 minutes – very Wellington).
LikeLike
It’s hard to believe it will be 2022 next weekend! I also have salvia black and blue flowering, inside the house. I don’t know whether it will make it to spring but I thought it was worth a shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty, pretty, especially the salvia. Last summer we, too, had noisy neighbors who were adding on to their home. That’s the way it goes. Can’t build without making a sound and a fury. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! They are doing some interesting things from what I can see, and really friendly people so it is fine and they have to take the most of the dry weather too! But still…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, it’s tiring to listen to, no matter how necessary it is.
LikeLike
The Dahlias are really teasing you now..love that Blue Salvia. Merry Christmas.
LikeLike
Yes they really are! Merry Christmas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too am loving your lovely summer imagery. While it is still somewhat green(ish) on Vancouver Island – it is cold, wet and not a summer flower in sight. Thanks for the reprieve! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your herb corner, it feels so wholesome and healthy. Nice to see so much colour too! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Grannysgardenhimindoors and I have spent over an hour trying to reply to your post but WordPress has been stopping us! Anyway, if this works, it is lovely to see your nasturtiums again. Your herbs look good and your summer colours really cheer me up since we have had several misty, damp, gloomy days. Happy Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
WordPress has been playing silly so and sos recently again. Or rather, when using Safari instead of Chrome….anyway, thanks for taking the time to comment! Hope you and the family have a wonderful Christmas!
LikeLike
Happy Christmas from him indoors too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My sage is flowering, I’m loving the purple flowers but the parsley has just gone to seed. I can’t believe how hot its been lately. We were in Whangarei yesterday and it was 30.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to buy a new parsley this year. Gosh 30C….!
LikeLike