It is pouring down with rain outside. Not a day to be in the garden or anywhere else outside, definitely a tea and sofa kind of afternoon. I read on the NIWA website this week that the first six months of 2022 have been Aotearoa New Zealand’s second warmest on record. Not just global warming, but the effect of La Niña should continue to keep temperatures on the warmer side for the remainder of 2022. Meanwhile, this is also bringing lots of rain. There are moments of sunshine which always seem to be when I am in the office and not on weekends, so the much needed tidy up outside will have to wait. Meanwhile, 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.
Bulbs continue to push on ahead as you can see, and hopefully I will actually have some flowers soon to share with you.
The mahonia berries which have not already fallen off or been eaten have finally turned their gorgeous blue.
At number three, the hellebores are coming along nicely, though I don’t think I am going to have as good as display as last year, but we will see. Fingers crossed!
With it being so wet, this week’s camellias are the ones in front of the house, which are still looking lovely and still have some more flowers to come.
Next up, the berries on the kawakawa at the front of the house. The heart shaped leaves are really pretty, and of course the plant is well known for its use in herbal medicine, but also used as a peppery seasoning.
Finally on this wet day, one of the three hyacinth bulbs I planted in the hyacinth glasses. One has got too wet, one not wet enough, so I fear this may be the sole flower. I might stick the other two outside in a pot and see what happens, that is, if it ever gets dry enough to get out to do so!
That’s all from me folks from this week. A bit brief, but blame the weather! 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 
The rain sounds really lovely, but then sunshine or rain does when you want some yourself! No sign of rain as yet, but I hear rumours that their might be some tomorrow. I shall look up the kawakawa, it is new to me.
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We have had a lot of rain recently – we should send some to you! Kawakawa is endemic to NZ.
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thank you for sharing an amazing plant native to New Zealand: the kawakawa that I didn’t know. I had to google to find out more
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On female trees the berries turn orange when ripe. We have a few bushes around the house.
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Those Mahonia berries are lovely, and I feel refreshed just looking at the rain drops from parched Europe.
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The berries are a lovely colour. I would send you rain if I could!
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It is lovely for me to see the rain-soaked plants in your garden 🙂
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Any sign of rain where you are?
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Only a spit and a spot.
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The weather can be very inconsiderate when you only get a chance to garden at weekends. Those Mahonia berries are a show.
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I agree – both about the weather and the berries!
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I think a lot of gardeners in the northern hemisphere will be envying you that rain! It’s a little damp here today too, but mizzle rather than a downpour. The hyacinth glass took me back to my childhood! I simply plant them in a pot and leave them outside, their scent can be a bit overpowering indoors.
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I think I will stick to a pot next time – the glass looks pretty though. I agree about the smell so will probably put the glass in the hallway.
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I love hyacinth glasses – itlooks like your bulb has a fat flower forming!
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I hope so!
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Send some rain to me! I love the Mahonia berries, soon the birds will spread them everywhere.
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It has been pouring with rain all night…we have some to spare!
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I like the idea from Star Trek of a global weather system that manages things..
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I hadn’t heard of the kawakawa plant before, most unusual. The mahonia berries are beautiful. It’s actually raining here today!
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I agree that the mahonia berries are quite lovely. Glad you got some rain!
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Come spring, your garden will be spectacular! Cannot wait to see those photos
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I hope so!
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