Despite the grey skies and patches of rain, you can feel warmer days are just around the corner. Our clocks go forward tonight, so yes, spring is here. The forecast for the coming days is for some sun, so let’s hope for once it is right. 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, not a lot new really this week. There are still a few daffodils around, such as these below, but really these are all finished now. Last year’s tulips have failed to produce flowers, only leaves, so I wonder if I should have lifted them last season. The two new ones are growing fine, but nowhere near the stage of the spectacular display in the Botanic Gardens (hoping to get some pictures this weekend).
So to those ‘woody herbs’ lavender and rosemary, both of which seem to grow well in our little bit of the world. Below is our old, scraggy lavender, one of the rosemary plants and the pinkish lavender ‘boysenberry’.
The ajuga have started to pop up, with a few fine looking specimens just beginning to flower. The blue is quite stunning I think.
Back to herb corner, and the mint (and chocolate mint) are coming back to life bit by bit. The rue is looking good, and I have lots of thyme to use in the kitchen. I’ve even managed to harvest a few sage leaves.
Whilst deciding which ajuga to photograph, I found several small clumps of forget-me-nots that actually seem to be calling out their name. These just seem to pop up at random in various places every year.
Finally, more pictures of hellebores because…why not? The magnolia, by the way, is still looking good, but hard to photograph without good sunshine as a backdrop.
That’s all from me folks for 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 
I really like ajugas when they are in bloom. And we are rewarded with many bumblebees that come to forage. Otherwise they are an excellent ground cover but they must be tamed regularly….
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I remembered that you like ajugas. Luckily they are in a patch where they provide good ground cover.
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I’m always impressed by your selection of herbs. I’m hoping the allegedly more perennial tulips I planted last winter reappear for a second spring but I have my doubts. A lot seem to be treated as annuals.
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I think you are right about the tulips…they were so pretty too. Ah well….
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I always have room for forget-me-nots, as you say they ask not to be forgotten.
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Your herbs are doing well. I have made more of an effort this spring to grow more herbs, mainly in pots, and so far so good. Your Hellebores are delightful. There is still no flower bud on mine, and I think I will move the pot into a new spot to see if it is happier there.
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I have noticed that some things grow really well and others I have no luck with – basil and dill for example, though will try with both again this year as usual!
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I find tulips in pots are hit and miss as to whether they return the following year. I have had some that have flowered for years, and others I never see again. Tulips are best treated as annuals I think. My excuse for buying new varieties every year 😂
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What an excellent excuse to buy new varieties of tulips every year! Will keep that in mind 🙂
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HI, Barbara – This is a bittersweet reminder for me. As your garden gets warmer — mine gets colder. It is now officially Autumn for us. Where in the heck did our summer go?
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This year has just flown past…someone pointed out to me it is only 13 weeks until Christmas (or something like that!).
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Our ajugas did exceptionally well this year and will need some serious containment before they take over the whole garden.
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My species tulips have come back for some years, although not so many this year as coming from Central Asia originally they apparently like a dry winter and we certainly didn’t have that. I gave up on ‘Dutch’ tulips as I don’t want to lift them each year.
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We certainly didn’t have a dry winter either. Might have a think about next year.
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Well, I hadn’t realised that other countries around the world put their clocks forward or back like the UK. It’s good to hear that you are looking forward to spring whereas we are getting closer to winter with chilly nights and falling leaves. Your helibores are looking so healthy, as always.
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Yes – think most European countries do as well. I am so pleased with the hellebores this year, there has been a lovely display.
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Yes I think the Ajuga are perfectly matched for the Spring light, and also from this parched patch on the other side of the globe to you, what a treat to see rain soaked foliage.
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It’s heading in the other direction here… It’s getting colder and wetter (although we do desperately need the rain!).
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Yippee for Hellebores! They may droop their heads coyly, but they definitely pose and smile (especially with raindrops). And I can’t wait to see the Botanic Garden tulips when you visit. Your post reminds me to plant my own bulbs….
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I love hellebores too. There are still lots about all over too.
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