What a glorious sunny spring day it is today! And what a change to the weather earlier this week, which saw a flutter of snow on the hills around the city, and ‘July like’ falls in the South Island. Today, at least here, it was nice enough to sit outside with my afternoon cup of tea, enjoying the warmth of the sun. 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.
The good weather today at least gave me time to do some tidying up outside, and found I have a lot of pots to put things in for the next season. I do, however, need to have a bit of a think about this before I buy 24 geraniums and find I have nowhere to put them. Anyway, it also gave me a chance to appreciate my three lavender plants which are looking, and smelling, lovely.
I was working at home on Friday and spotted the first of the rhododendron flowers which certainly brightened up my day. There’ll be more to come in the weeks ahead.
In third place, the hellebores which are still going strong, still looking beautiful. No more words are necessary.
And so to the corner of the outdoor space that focuses on the colour blue. The ajugas are looking so beautiful and as for the little forget-me-not, they at least make me smile.
I’ve been using the ‘up steps’ a bit more recently from the house which means I have been enjoying the viburnum and its delicate flowers. It certainly helps to get me up the steep steps!
Finally…I gave a big smile when I saw these tulips burst into flower. Tulips Ad Rem are quite stunning close up – but then tulips usually are.
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.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
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 
Wow to the tulips. Such a vivid colour. Lovely, as is the ajuga – I must look it up.
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I saw the first hellebores at the garden centre on Thursday ; they were already in bloom because they were forced. A certain desire to buy some to enjoy them…. but it’s only October so this week I’m enjoying yours! Finally, a very pretty red tulip: spring is definitely with you.
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Thanks Fred! I have to say I am loving the tulips and hellebores right now.
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I can feel your excitement at the arrival of spring and the sunshine. The first rhody flower is wonderful and, like the rest, I love the in your face tulip. Have a great week 🙂
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It was so good to sit outside today….and yes that tulip is so much fun. Hope you have a great week too!
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Lovely to hear all about Spring in your part of the world. The Tulips are lovely.
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I’m pleased with these tulips – nice and bright!
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I’m just about to plant my spring bulbs, including tulips. I tend to cram them in more than you, but I will still need more pots! 😭
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One can never have too many pots….
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Well…
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Lovely garden! My favorite are the Forget-Me-Nots. Here in my yard by Lilac bush decided to give it one last beginning of fall push and is covered in blooms! I was pleasantly surprised because it wasn’t looking too good at the end of the summer. The scent of the lilacs is wonderful.
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Lilac is lovely – so pretty and the scent too.
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Today is a particularly warm day at 34 degrees C. I did some weeding very early this morning while there was some shade and was able to admire the long-flowering petunias and dianthus in my garden. Both are doing very well.
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Gosh that is warm! Not sure what the temperature was on our decking, but I only needed a t-shirt. Petunias are a favourite of mine.
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Its thinking of tulips next year, that make some of the dismal days of Autumn and winter bearable, and then we get treated to just the right sort of red tulips on your post. Thank you so much.
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🙂
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Hi, Barbara – Your post had me smiling before I even got past the first Tullip! Thank you for the morning uplift!
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So glad the tulips made a good start to your day. I can see them from where I am sitting right now.
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Lucky you…some sun! Love your red red tulip and am intrigued by the ‘up steps’. Sounds like a typically steep Wellington garden!
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Yes you are so right it is a typical Wellington hillside garden!
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Love your bright red tulip, just what is needed to brighten up a dull day! My tulip order has just arrived, I went mad and bought far too many, now just got the job of planting them all!
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You know you will enjoy the tulips when they flower!
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Gosh! Those tulips really are red! I like the blue corner and the ever reliable forget-me-nots.
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The tulips are really bright in amongst all the green too.
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Beautiful! It’s very autumnal and wet here in Mid Wales (although I shouldn’t complain about the rain as it’s very much needed this year).
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Thanks! We are at last having a few dry days.
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Oh, tulips! Thank you. And thank you for celebrating the humble ajuga. They are beautiful ground cover and in my opinion don’t get enough love!
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