It is already May, so we are well into autumn down here in the Southern Hemisphere. We have been having fantastic weather, with a good amount of sunshine, a little rain (we will need some more soon..and indeed the forecast is for rain on Monday) and often no need for a coat. Lovely! Anyway, time for Six on Saturday when The Propagator 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.
I’m starting this week with, yes, the tecomanthe speciosa or Three King’s Vine. This year has been a bumper year for flowers, whether it was the warm summer or something else I don’t know, but they are really at their peak just now. I just love this plant as you might guess! Wish I know who planted it as I would say thank you.
At number two, what may well be the last nasturtium this season, and what a stunner it is too I am sure you will agree.
My bulb order finally arrived, complete with a note (wishing me to enjoy – I am sure I will). I limited myself to two more tulips, some hyacinths to grow in glasses and eventually place along the living room window (all going well of course…can’t remember when I last tried this) and, for some reason, a bag of mixed miniature daffodils. Anyway, guess what I am doing tomorrow?
And so to one of the spots of colour in the garden at the moment, the bright, yellow of the mahonia. Again, a great display this year and looking forward to the berries appearing later.
Another spot of colour are these gorgeous red berries on a bush that sits on the ‘up steps’ as we call them beside the house. They look so cheery and somehow seasonally appropriate. I believe it is some sort of cotoneaster.
And finally, the camellias which are looking stunning. There is a whole ‘wall’ of them at the moment bringing a smile to our faces every day – see the featured image.
So, 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 
Fantastic Camelias, have a lovely weekend planting your bulbs. I shall start a plan for what I might get myself, soon.
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Thanks! Enjoy your planning.
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I’m always delighted with the very beautiful photos of the mahonia and the tecomanthe and good planting of the bulbs for tomorrow
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Thanks Fred! I think a lot of tidying up needs to be done in the garden first….
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You’ve transformed my feelings about mahonias — that one is gorgeous! wow
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It is a plant that grows on you I feel!
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Great flower pictures
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You have some gorgeous colour in your garden! Love the colours, and the Mahonia looks particularly vibrant! I only bought two varieties of Daffodils this year, one being Jet Fire, which I have seen featured in other bloggers gardens. I planted them out into pots today. I must make a start on sowing Calendulas soon!
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I’ve had Jet Fire for a couple of years and they always look good. Calendula…never had luck with that so maybe should try again.
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The Jet Fire were a little more expensive, but I was determined to have some, and I’m pleased I bought them. A few years ago I successfully grew calendula and had a sunny looking spring garden with the added bonus of harvesting all the many flowers to make calendula oil! My Calendula oil supply has dwindled and I need to make some more. I had better get cracking and sow the seeds!
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The Three King’s Vine is lovely.
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Tecomanthe is incredible. Is it popular with the pollinators? I look forward to seeing your bulbs planted up.
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Apparently the two native bats like this plant, but I would have thought tui, with their long beaks, would like them too but I haven’t seen any enjoying the flowers.
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How lovely to have an autumn like yours and everything in the garden is looking great. Lovely camellias and mahonia. Looking at the red berry bush I was wondering whether it might be a Viburnum? Can you recall what the flowers are like? It’s very beautiful.
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I have a feeling it is a viburnum. I need to watch for the flowers next season!
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Hey, here we go again, my Tulips just about finished and you are buying them to plant. LOL.
All the best.
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I know! It is good for me though as I can take inspiration from northern hemisphere gardens months in advance 🙂
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Your camelias are looking good, some of ours are not flowering yet. The flowers on the Three King’s Vine are very pretty, lovely that someone can plant something and it is enjoyed by others.
Happy planting, the bulbs I bought are waiting!
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This is the first camellia to flower every year. Lots of buds on the others at least! Happy bulb planting too! I better get a move on and get started.
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Gorgeous! I love a good nasty – I typically save seeds from red ones, but never really know if that gets me more red ones, as there are plenty that self seed. I lobe the round leaves, and the variety of color. I grow nasties with variegated leaves, which is kind of fun. Still to early in Wisconsin for such color and beauty. My violets are finally beginning to bloom and threatening to overwhelm my garden – give them an inch…
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I have quite a few self seeding nasturtiums around too. I like the idea of ones with variegated leaves – must look out for some here.
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The variety I have is called Tip-Top Alaska. They tend to stay more compact – some varieties of nasturtium have almost a vining tendency that is great for hanging baskets, but not always convenient when grown in a vegetable garden.
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What a stunning nasturtium to finish the season. (You may have noticed that I have constant nasturtium envy. 😡😬🙄) The Three Kings continues to look good, as does the mahonia.
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I actually always think about you when I post pictures of nasturtiums! I haven’t had as good as display as usual this year.
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Interesting that your mahonia is in flower now, mine has just finished at the end of our spring. Lovely colourful camellias.
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I have learned not to compare seasons – things just seem to grow and flower at random 🙂 I’m loving the camellias too.
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Beautiful, all. And good luck with your bulbs in glasses. I can’t wait to see the results.
Finally, I very much appreciate your wish to thank the person who planted the Three Kings Vine. That’s a lovely thought: imagining the gardeners who came before us and those who will inherit our work.
I thank the people who planted our magnificent tree canopy — and thanks to my son Nate, we’ve added three more for future generations!
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