We are just home from the cinema (Maigret starring Gérard Depardieu), so I better get on and get this written quickly as I can see others are already getting posts published. The weather this week…a bit of sun, a bit or rain and temperatures around the 15C mark. Just to point out a ‘fun’ fact – it was the same temperature here and in Glasgow (Scotland) on the same day this week, and it is winter here and summer there. Anyway, it is 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.
To begin with, some pink camellias from the bush in front of the house which is really looking lovely right now. There are lots of petals on the steps which need sweeping up almost every day, before they get too wet, slimy and slippy.
Next up, when I went outside earlier to get some more pictures for today’s post I spotted this ladybird on a rather sad looking leaf. He is rather magnificent though, with all his spots.
At number three, two of the lavender plants are looking pretty with quite a few flowers. I love the smell and the shape of the flowers with their little ‘wings’.
At number four, this week’s herb corner with lots of rosemary (must use some in cooking soon), fresh leaves on the pineapple sage and mint. The rain and warm-ish weather seems to be helping things to flourish.
Now to bulbs…and here we see some signs of life peeping up. If you think it odd, considering that we have yet to have our shortest day, then you may wish to look at the early daffodils in the Botanic Gardens.
I started the post with pink camellias and will end with the white. These are so beautiful up close, and if anyone out there knows which variety they are do let me know. I love them.
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 
I hesitated to add my lavender flowers to my Six this week… they are so beautiful in summer with this heat. Butterfly Lavender is one of my favourites
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The smell in summer of lavender….gorgeous!
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Lovely to see your camellias, the white one has a little pink blush, very pretty.
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Yes there is just a hint of pink which I agree is really pretty.
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I bet the Glaswegians were in shorts and t-shirts complaining of the heat!
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While we are wearing sweaters and complaining of the cold 🙂
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🌺💐🌼🌻🌷🏵️🌹🪷
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Lovely camellia at the end, with its pink blush.
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I really like that pink blush too.
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Your herbs always look so refreshing, rosemary is my favourite for its wonderful scent – apparently they are giving school children bookmarks scented with it as it aids memory and concentration!
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One of our neighbour’s has a rosemary bush that hangs over the street and I always rub my fingers on it as I pass!
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You may be nearly at your shortest day, but we are nearly at our longest! 😒 🙄 Lovely herbs and camellias.
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Thanks!
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There’s something rather pleasing about the dark, glossy and unnibbled foliage of those Camellias. I’m in denial about the 21 June.
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But you still have some long, summer days ahead.
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You have an interesting garden and your photographs have reminded me to prune my lavender and to repot the mint, which is looking straggly at the moment – probably not getting enough sun where it is. I am looking forward to mornings lightening a little earlier each day 🙂
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My mint was looking very sad and has suddenly come back to life again to do try moving and repotting it. I am also looking forward to lighter days!
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Lovely choices in every photo! My favorites: the rosemary flowers and the lady bug!
And thanks for mentioning the Gérard Depardieu film. Just the other day, I was thinking about The Return of Martin Guerre (from the early 1980s?). I’ll look for Maigret!
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The Maigret film was good – better than I expected!
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