Autumn is here. February saw parts of the North Island receive 400% of the normal rainfall, and Napier had its third wettest month on record receiving over 600% its normal amount of rain. Yet parts of the South Island had below normal rainfall. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research or NIWA said that New Zealand’s summer and February’s weather disasters is typical of La Niña summers, with higher than normal air pressure observed to the east and south of New Zealand, and lower than normal pressure to the north and west. This meant more easterly and north-easterly winds than usual, giving the country warm and humid air from the tropics and sub-tropics. Enough of our weather 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 and move on to what can be see at the moment outside.
Not much to report this week I am afraid. Very little has changed, though the first Japanese anemones are flowering, bringing joy with their happy faces.
Sticking with pink flowers. here is another echinacea picture. Yes I really am desperate for content this week!
It is a bit of a drizzly day here today as you can see over in herb corner and the last little nasturtium. I always think that curry plants look really pretty with rain drops on them.
At number 4, the karaka berries are now falling and being eaten by something judging by the number of stones left behind. There are more yet to fall.
I emptied a packet of past-their-best-date cornflowers into a pot, expecting nothing. But today spotted this…
Finally, we said farewell to our little cat Charlie on Tuesday morning as I mentioned in Wednesday’s post. Here he is checking out what was going on in the garden. We will miss our lovely boy.
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 Echinacea, Barbara. I do love to photograph a single flower. Perfection in summer, yet even when wet or damaged there’s incredible detail.
I’ve seen Charlie in your posts every now and then. You certainly will miss him.
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Only a few things presented you tell us? But at the same time it adds a bit of colour (despite the rain droplets) at our end of winter . The #4 was for me olives in first intention!😂
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That rain soaked pink flower seems to be made of crystal…
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That’s a pleasant surprise regarding the cornflowers. I rarely have much luck growing them for some reason. Sorry to hear about Charlie.
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I love the internet for allowing me to connect so effortlessly with the other side of the world! Your garden is just turning into autumn and mine is just turning into spring. What an amazing planet we ride on!
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Indeed!
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Parts of South Africa have also experienced flooding … while we remain desperate for rain. Happily, marigolds, nasturtiums and petunias are still coping well in pots to brighten my garden 🙂
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I know just what you are going through. A sad time for us, too. Yesterday, we had our own dear little cat, Ms. Watson, put down. How I miss her! I will be writing a post about her today.
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I just read your post about Ms Watson. Sad times. I’m going to write about Charlie this week as he had so many adventures.
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I am so glad you will be writing about Charlie. Looking forward to reading about his adventures. Our fur buddies are so dear to us.
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Poor Charlie – sorry he had to go. The Cornflower is a lovely surprise though.
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Oh, sad to see you had to let Charlie go. A cat in the garden is a wonderful thing. Your Anemones are lovely. I have had some nice surprises from expired seeds.
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Yes we are sad about our wee Charlie. I must admit I had given up hope on the cornflowers so the little spot of blue was lovely.
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So sorry for your loss. Our pets mean so much. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m always in sympathy for anyone who has lost a pet, as our family still go through memories of our best ever dog, and wish she was still here.
By the way, cornflowers are the only flowers I have managed to grow from seed, they are lovely.
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I think loosing a pet is harder than we realise. I am pleased a few of the cornflowers at least have popped up.
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Your pink flower and surprise blue cornflowers are a beautiful lift.
Continuing to send you warm hugs on the loss of Charlie.
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Thank you!
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This photo definitely caught my attention. Thanks Anita
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