Everything is looking kind of sad out in the garden just now, even the things that are doing well. It must be the rain. We have been lucky in Wellington and have been spared the awful weather in Auckland and The Coromandel that some of you might have heard about. I read that the flooding inside Auckland Airport’s international terminal on Saturday night happened after 71mm of rain fell in one hour. Apparently normal heavy rain has an intensity of six millimetres an hour or more. So for this week’s weather update…meanwhile let’s say thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations, for hosting Six on Saturday, whose knowledge of all things plants and gardening makes him an ideal host.
Actually, we are just back from a lovely dinner out to celebrate our 10 years in New Zealand and my husband’s Name Day…oh and also to celebrate my second dahlia flower which is just about to come into bloom.
So to number two. The echinacea is in far too small a pot, but has produced lots of flowers this year. I will of course repot it for next year and see what happens. In the meantime, I am fighting the little eggs of the lace wing moth, as seen below. They look like little balls of fluff but are not nice to have around.
The new herbs I bought the other week are all doing well, such as the purple sage, with a raindrop nested inside.
Another foxglove has appeared. As Laurie stated, perfect for a cottage garden, not that I have one though would be my ideal.
At number four, seed head from from the alstroemeria and rue.
Something cheery for number five, this week’s nasturtium.
…and finally…getting home from dinner tonight…
Sorry for the brief post – not much to report and it is raining. 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. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.org
Thistles and Kiwis 
Lovely photo of the Foxglove, they are one of my favourite cottage garden flowers. That’s a lot of rain! Take care.
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That’s not a sad garden. Ours is though, I keep looking but nothing is happening out there yet. I have the feeling something will happen soon…
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I think it is the grey weather that makes it sad.
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Yes, a little sunshine and it will look better, I’m sure…
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Barbara, your garden is positively radiant, and I also love the foxglove. I’ve been away for about a month and houseminding for three weeks in Sydney during that time. Was very excited and surprised to see my poinsettia, roses and one of the lavender plants are still alive. One of the lavenders didn’t make it but I’d bought it on sale because it wasn’t thriving so I don’t feel too guilty.
Humph! My account of my garden reads more like an obituary but there is life and my friend’s garden is looking pretty good along with her lawn.
I was sorry to hear about the heavy rains in Auckland. We’re had so much flooding over here that there’s that bond, but fortunately like yourselves, we’ve been spared.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thank you! One of my lavenders isn’t looking good – I don’t think they like humidity. The flooding up in Auckland has been awful – at least we have been spared this time. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
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We can actually see in your Six that it has rained and is still raining…Your photos are very successful. Are you far from Auckland because they showed terrible flood images on tv? I hope you are safe.
Otherwise, the foxgloves you showed us are very cute, I have one that looks a bit like that.
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I’m in Wellington so far from Auckland though it is raining here as I type. I also love foxgloves.
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Horray for the second dahlia and horray for your anniversary! Do you have an accent now? I love foxgloves too, and white are my favourite.
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Thanks! No I still sound like I come from Edinburgh 🙂
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We had a late Burns Night tonight. Haggis (veggie), swede, mash and gravy. It was lovely. No whisky though. 😁
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The Dahlia looks so huge and healthy! I just listened to a radio report on the rain and flooding…not a fun week.
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The dahlia is my current favourite as it was unexpected. The flooding has been awful and it is still raining up there,
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So glad you are safe in Wellington. Those floods in Auckland look terrible especially the houses which look to be hanging over a cliff edge!
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Yes I feel lucky this time around. A work colleague up there has 60cm of water in the downstairs of her house.
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Thanks for the mention! My ideal is a cottage garden, too, but when you live on the edge of the woods, this is only a dream. 😉 Sorry about all the rain. Crazy weather all over the world. Still have some pretty flowers, but the foxgloves are my favorites.
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Yes weather patterns seem to be changing and crazy weather everywhere as you say.
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It still looks beautiful to me! We are in late winter up here. The first green shoots of spring bulbs already coming up. Some of the daffodils in more protected areas already have buds.
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Lovely to see signs of spring where you are.
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It must be unusual for you to find somewhere wetter than Wellington in the North Island.
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Wellington isn’t that wet – it is known for its wind which is greatly exaggerated by Aucklanders.
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I see. 🙂
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Oh the color of your echinacea is lovely! And your foxglove, I think I have a thing for white flowers – it’s lovely!
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I was wondering if the rain and flooding had affected you in Wellington.
Paul’s niece and partner just arrived in Auckland, as the heavy weather started, poor things, all their tours have been cancelled.
Your garden is looking much better than ours after rain, and the plants seem to survive. (mostly)
Are you going out to celebrate your 10th anniversary in New Zealand? Congratulations, that is a big milestone.
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No we’ve been spared this time (unlike July last year). It is very humid here though (which rosemary and lavender don’t like).
Yes we did go out and celebrate our 10 years in NZ on Saturday evening with some good food and wine.
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Lovely!
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Even with the rain and wind your garden looks beautiful. Two full months of winter to go for us (insert deep sigh here)! 😀
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I think I was just looking at all the weeds…. 🙂
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Your garden look great even in the rain ❤ Lovely nasturtium and foxgloves.
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