The sun is shining, the cicadas are singing and the garden is looking a little shaggy in that end of summer start of autumn way. I did a bit of tidying up last week, but there is a lot more to do before the cooler weather comes. Anyway, here are six things from the garden. A big 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.
To start with this week, three different nasturtiums. I think the first one if my favourite with its pale yellow petals and contrasting dark red splashes. I am hoping for a few more over the next few weeks, and of course will start collecting the seeds for pickling.
This week’s herbs are rue, a bit of one of the curry plants and the tarragon (again). I’m using some of the tarragon tonight in a dressing for a green bean salad.
Now to surprises…I can see that the saffron crocuses are coming up again (will I get flowers this year?), but what are these? It is autumn. Then there are these marigolds. I found a packet of out of date seeds a while back and just emptied them out with no hope of much success but there are a few little flowers on plants that I should have thinned out, but the pot is in an out of the way place and had been ignored a bit.
For no particular reason, other than all the plants have had a big spurt of growth in the last few months, one of the mahonia. Love them or loathe them, they grow well here. I was also at a loss for a sixth item today!
So to this week’s pictures of the Japanese anemones. I think they are absolutely gorgeous, with their pink petals and soft shapes.
Finally, some insect visitors. What I have now correctly identified as a katydid on one of the sunflowers, a bee enjoying the lemon bergamot and a cabbage white butterfly on a sunflower.
That is my six this week, and 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 
What a lovey yellow sunflower and I enjoyed seeing the insects too. The Japanese anemones are looking fine, I do like them, not a plant I have yet, but it is on my wish list.
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A beautifully uplifting look at the bright flowers in your garden!
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Thanks Anne!
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I quite like the orange Nasturtium, although I realise that’s a little bit boring of me! They’re just so cheerful 🙂
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They are!
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Glorious sunflowers – and always lovely to see your herbs. Do you use the rue for anything?
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No I don’t use rue for anything – not sure what it can be used for actually!
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I think it was one of the strewing herbs – will have to consult Mrs. Grigson! Just done so – yes, now I remember: ‘the herb of grace’, a first line medicinal herb in the middle ages (preservation of eyesight, many others, also associated with the Christian sacraments). Too much info to detail here! It’s a pretty herb – enjoy yours!
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That’s a rather nice surprise regarding the marigolds. That first nasturtium is lovely.
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The anemones are indeed lovely. I love when “expired” seeds come up anyway. Knowing that they do, I can never briing myself to throw out older seeds.
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Always worth giving the seeds a go – you can’t be disappointed!
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Your pale nasturtium is my favourite too. And seeing your sunflowers has nudged me into making a note to sow sunflowers again this year. Last year the spring was so cold that seeds struggle to germinate and grow well. This year I will keep any that do grow, in pots.
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I got some small sunflowers – they are called ‘incredible dwarf’ so great for pots. Well worth trying!
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My packet is of the smaller ones. About 30 cm I think.
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I think Mr Propagator has sorted me out…at least my comments. 🙄 Lovely nasturtiums, as always, plus herbs, sunflowers and insects.
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🙂
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You know I’m swooning over your sunflowers (and katydid). I especially love your feature photo, of our friend from a very unusual and vivid angle. The texture of the yellow petals, in a color of green “petals,” all emerging from the leafy base. Wow! I’m going to have to keep this tab open and gaze at it every now and then, for pure joy.
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Oh thank you Carol Anne! I am really loving the sunflowers this year.
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Your Japanese anemones are so beautiful!!
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I love them!
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Your garden posts are always so lovely. And I believe they have done the trick. Slowly but surely Spring is bursting onto the Vancouver Island scene. Bring it on!!
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I just love the sunflowers, and of course my favourite the Japanese anemones! They are both gorgeous flowers! Nasturtium are such versatile plants, and the seeds are great to pickle. Your herbs are looking healthy!
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I do hope you put the nasturtiums in salads, apparently they taste quite nice
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Yes sometimes I do and I pickle the seeds.
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Very refreshing to see the beautiful flowers !
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These are amazing! I like gardens but I don’t have a green thumb, not to I have the interest to go through all the work it take to grow a garden.
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