This week has really felt like winter, with chilly days and cold nights, lots and lots more rain (to the point where it felt like it would never stop) and then today – cold yes but bright blue skies and sunshine. And it looks like warmer temperatures will return from next week too – hoorah! At least we don’t get that evil white stuff called snow in Wellington (well…it did once in 2011…see here). 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.
So first up, seasonal favourite, the hellebores. I managed to crouch down for one of the pictures as you will see, otherwise just enjoy these gorgeous flowers as they are.
Moving on to the mahonia berries, which as you can see have turned to their beautiful dark blue. They really look lovely in real life, against the pale blue-grey of the house. I have yet to try one though – they are supposed to be quite sharp and need sweetening – if I do I will let you know! If any of you out there have tried, do let me know.
The buds on the magnolia are really beginning to show now. Quite a few of the magnolias in the Botanic Gardens are already flowering, so it won’t be long now until ours is blooming.
There are still quite a few camellias about – these are the big, blousy ones close on the other side of the paved area from the magnolia. Lots of buds can still be seen on the bush in front of the house, which always flowers the longest.
Lots of bulb action going on – these tulips for example. The hyacinth in a glass experiment has produced one soon to flower bulb, the other two I have just stuck in a pot and if they come up, they come up.
Finally, daffodils. There are definitely some Jet Fire there, but not sure of the others. There are definitely more to come too – more daffodil spam on its way! You can see the results of the rain on the featured image at the top of the post.
That’s all from me folks from this week. 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 
Despite a number of signs of spring here, winter is reluctant to let go!
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It was really cold here this week. I actually wore gloves!
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Pretty hellebores. I like the white speckled one best.
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I have more of the purple ones, so the white ones are just that bit more special.
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I have one similar white which must have flowered for almost half a year. Was going from autumn through to spring. Made a change as many of mine are slug eaten.
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Interesting, I had not considered that the berries of the Mahonia were edible.
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I looked it up…but still reluctant to try!
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It’s lovely to see the daffodils – a reminder that I need to empty out and sort through my bulb pots in the next couple of weeks.
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Are you going to get some more bulbs as well? It is always so tempting.
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I’ve plenty of bulbs, they’re just spread out around too many pots to make a decent display. Maybe buy some shorter stemmed tulips đŸ˜‰
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Lovely to see your winter flowers, I’ll be ordering mine soon for planting this autumn! Hellebores are one of my favourites too, can’t have too many of them!
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I love hellebores too – so delicate and yet long lasting.
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Lovely daffodils! I bought jet fire this year, and the plants are doin well, but no sign of flowers as yet! None on the Hellebore either! The Mahonia berries are intriguing.
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I think Jet Fire is a pretty safe bet. They seem to come up every year. I know what you mean about the mahonia berries – every year I look at them and marvel.
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I love (love) the feature photo. The close-up (and composition) invites stories: a grief comforted? a prima ballerina? architectural columns and ornament?
I will enjoy welcoming spring with you (love the hellebores!). We are getting a rare and lovely whiff of autumn here in Washington DC — our most beautiful time of year. Thanks to you, I’ll have spring and fall at the same time!
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A prima ballerina I think! I love daffodils – they are happy flowers I think, maybe because they mean spring and new life and beginnings.
Yes – we can all enjoy multiple seasons thanks to the blogging community!
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The berries of mahonia look very striking. I’m looking forward to seeing those tulips in flower in few months.
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Yes those berries are quite distinctive. Fingers crossed for some lovely tulips!
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Nice to see some daffodils! It feels a lot like summer here..94 in the shade.
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Should get up to…12C (53F) here today!
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I have just emptied my bulb pots ready for next year’s planting, though I have yet to decide on what I want to buy. I have left some of the smaller bulbs in their pots to see if they come back next year, but I definitely need some new tulips and perhaps iris reticulata.
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Oh yes do get iris and see what happens! I think I am going to get rid of all my muscari as this year they are even tinier and more sad looking than ever. I might start again…or go for something else.
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Some of the smaller bulbs certainly do better by buying new each year. I’ll see how my muscari do before buying any more.
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GREAT SIX! It seems like you are completely backwards to us here. We have had a hot summer, but where I live we have had rain off an on. Plenty to keep the grass growing. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks! Yes down under is always in reverse đŸ™‚
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I wonder whether the mahonia berries would be better stewed with some sugar as many sharp fruits are. Anyway, lovely, spring flowers.
PS. You would think there would be a way to share out the sun and the rain more fairly on this planet. đŸ¤”
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Do you think I should try the berries? Not sure….! I agree, it would be so nice if you could send me some sun and I could send you some rain!
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I always look forward to seeing your magnolia in flower! Never tried mahonia berries, but do let us know how you get on if you end up trying them.
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It’s always a surprise to see daffodils at this time of the year as we normally have them in February/March here in the UK.
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It is still winter here of course in the Southern Hemisphere with spring just around the corner. The first year we were here I found it strange to be planting bulbs at Easter rather than seeing the flowers!
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Beautiful đŸŒ¸đŸŒ¼ spring does look like it’s on the way!
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