Six on Saturday 06.05.23

I’m writing this post looking out at more rain. It has been raining on and off for a few days now, but not at all cold, meaning it is also pretty humid at times. It feels like Auckland weather for anyone who understands that reference. Another quick post as I am off to the ballet this evening. Anyway, 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.

I haven’t done anything outside due to the weather – or rather, when I have time it is raining, when I am at work, or doing other things, the weather is fine. The pots at the front of the house are in a state of disorder and neglect, and the bulbs have yet to be planted (hopefully tomorow?). Anyway, the buds on the camellia at the front of the house are showing great signs of promise, and I could see one flower already on the top of the bush when I looked out of our bedroom window this morning.

At least the pineapple sage is still looking lovely. Once the flowers are over, anyone know how far I should cut things back if at all? We don’t get a frost where we live. Google is contradictory in its advice.

In the ‘other flowering herbs’ corner we have the rosemary and borage again. I do love the borage flowers both in shape and colour.

So to the mahonia, and the plant on the ‘down’ steps is now flowering. The two bigger plants beside the house have yet to flower this year for some reason – usually there is a wonderful display. Anyway, there are still these to look at.

Steps explanation: we live half way up a slope. One set of steps takes us down to a main street, the other, rather unpleasant set, takes us up. It is very Wellington.

At number five, there are now three little violas that have popped up from nowhere, or rather from seeds planted and left last year. They are just so pretty in any case.

Finally, we all know Jim is a camellia expert, and I feel such an amateur when I post my pictures of these gorgeous flowers. These are from the bush we share with our neighbour, only we get a much better chance to enjoy it than they do as it is at the top of their garden and next to the ‘up’ steps by our house.

Anyway, 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