While the northern hemisphere was experiencing record temperatures in some regions, down here we were experiencing some stormy winter weather, with 130km per hour winds, cancelled flights and ferries and surface flooding. Actually, where we live it was pretty sheltered from the worst of the weather on Thursday, and by the time I headed out late afternoon, it was all pretty calm. There was no damage to anything either, except for lots of small branches and twigs covering everything. Anyway, it is sunny today, and 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.
I know I featured this little iris on Monday, but here it is again, this time with raindrops. It just appeared, though not a complete surprise as the label in the pot reads ‘iris pixie’, but there is not much sign of other flowers at the moment. Let’s hope this isn’t the only bulb that flowers as it is such a joy to behold.
Talking of bulbs, there is a lot of growth going on everywhere you look. Hopefully it won’t be too long now until I can share some of the flowers that I am hoping to see.
The buds on the magnolia are promising a good display of flowers again this year. Some are already in flower in the Botanic Gardens, but our tree is always a bit later. Yes – I do compare what is happening there to home quite a bit since we live so close.
At number four, more camellias. Still lots of buds, still lots of flowers, still lots of petals to sweep up and to try not to bring into the house.
And so to this week’s mahonia berry update, with a lot more blue to be seen and some berries already gone, wither blown off by the wind or picked off by some greedy bird.
Finally, I thought I would end with two hellebores, because they are so beautiful and so much part of this time of year.
Thatās all from me folks from this week. 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.
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 
I’ve been to the Botanical gardens in Auckland, are those the ones you live near? We went there the day after our 24 hour flight to NZ. It was so peaceful and such a welcome after all that traveling.
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I live in Wellington!
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Your Iris is beautiful, as are your camellias.
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The iris is a really beautiful specimen. I feel the freesias in my pots are going to finally open their buds during this week.
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Oh might try freesias next year if they grow in pots.
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Gosh, your bulbs are doing well. Love the little Iris.
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I know! Lovely to see so much new life.
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The iris is gorgeous. Hope the weather calms down generally!
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It was lovely and sunny yesterday and looks mild at least today…fingers crossed!
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Lovely to see your little Iris and hellebores. Hope you don’t get any more storms. Our temperatures arenow more like what they should be, thank goodness!
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My eyes always rejoice to see Iris and Hellebore!
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Love the Iris and the Hellebore photo is wonderful.
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There was a lot of getting down on my knees for those hellebore pictures!
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Dedication to your craft. And you got a nice view of the Hellebore, too. I did, too.
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I once had iris Pixie, but it didn’t return, however I am very fond of the Iris reticulata group. Harmony is another lovely blue and George which is a histriodes is very good at coming back year after year.
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I planted the bulbs last year and nothing happened so I am very glad to see at least one this year! I should look out for those iris for planing in autumn.
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Goodness! Those winds sound quite alarming, I hope there wasn’t too much damage in your country. That iris is a beautiful colour. Those camellias are still going well. We have a magnolia stellata in a very large pot which looks very brown after the heat this week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be all right next spring.
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There wasn’t a huge amount of damage where we were at least, but there were floods, power cuts and so on elsewhere. I hope your magnolia survives!
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That iris is absolutely stunning!
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I agree! It was such a joy to see.
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