It is still so humid here in Wellington, with days of still, sticky weather and mostly cloudy skies. Parts of the country have, of course, had dreadful rainy weather and flooding. I read that up in Auckland by Tuesday of last week, the city had had over 769% of its normal January rainfall and over 38% of the normal annual rainfall. Apparently this was caused by an atmospheric river, a vast corridor of moisture that extend from the tropics to higher latitudes. The warmer the temperature, the more water vapour the river carries. We learn something new every day. Add to that the fact that the ocean is warmer than normal, and there you have the cause of all this awful weather affecting lots of parts of the country with new warnings popping up every day. Anyway, enough of this week’s weather update and 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.
Meanwhile out in the little space we call our garden, we actually saw some sun this afternoon. A lot of pruning and tidying up needs to be done out there, but it is just too hot in the afternoons: maybe tomorrow morning I might manage. Anyway, let’s start this week with a nasturtium. The first lot of flowers are coming to and end and I am hopeful of display number two soon.
At number two, the new purple sage is doing really well and the variegated one has bounced back from whatever it was enjoyed eating it.
I am still pleased to have at least some dahlias this year, and though I inspect the other two plants every day, there are no buds. Ah well…as I mentioned before as I expected no flowers I am happy.
In herb corner, the lemon balm is coming to the end of its season with these little white flowers. The lemon verbena is still looking good and my new mint plant is coming along nicely.
There are a few alstroemeria still in bloom, but the seeds are just as pretty, especially when they have popped open.
Finally, to end, the gorgeous pop of pink that is the echinacea. I know I posted a picture of it last week, but it is my favourite thing out there at the moment.
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 
There is something to be happy about with this pretty dahlia! Enjoy your weekend Barbara.
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Thank you! Monday is a holiday here too 🙂
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It is always a good idea to start with a nasturtium! Keep watching the dahlia, you never know they might surprise you. Have fun 🙂
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Yes – I might yet be surprised by my dahlias!
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I have bough some Nasturtium seed this year, after seeing the lovely ones you’ve had in your garden. Thank for including the bit about the rain river – most interesting.
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Oh good – hope you enjoy your nasturtiums! Yes I have to say that I am learning a whole lot about weather right now.
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Lovely 😊
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I have just posted an update on my garden. We too are hot and humid – NOT happy gardening weather!
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No it isn’t good gardening weather at all! I woke up at 6am this morning and the cicadas had already started singing – quite unusual for here.
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I would have posted the echinacea again as well! Interesting that we are both having problems with rain at so very different geographical locations. Worrying as well as interesting.
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Yes it is really worrying – it seems to be a mix of the usual things affecting the weather and climate change.
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Phew! That is so much rain. California has experienced a similar weather event. (What a strange term, but it seems to fit.) That nastersium sure made me smile, and what a jaunty pop of pink.
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Yes parts of New Zealand are flooded and other experiencing drought. Nasturtiums are happy flowers I agree,
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Hi, Barbara – Your summer garden continues to look beautiful. I can see why the echinacea is your favourite. It is absolutely beautiful!
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Yes it really is a lovely flower.
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The echinacea was well deserving of a second viewing.
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Lovely, familiar late summer garden plants.
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Hi Barbara,
Lovely to see your garden again. Seeing the nasturtium brought back memories. My best friend as a young child had them in her garden which sprawled down a hill into a creek. Her backyard was so much more interesting than my own and even had patches of clay. Might be worth growing myself.
We had a few home grown cherry tomatoes which found their way into tonight’s omelette. Yum!
Best wishes,
Rowena
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How lovely to have home grown tomatoes – they always taste so much better, I know some people think of nasturtiums as weeds but they are so pretty and there are lots of varieties. Thanks for stopping by Rowena.
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I love looking at other peoples gardens too. Your photos are lovely. I’ve been watching the rain and floods at Auckland lately. It looks devastating
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Yes the floods up in Auckland have been horrendous.
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Beautiful and inspiring
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That’s a lovely Dahlia, I can’t wait to see them again in my garden.
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Thanks! Summer is on its way to you….
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