I was in two minds whether to post this week, as I don’t really have much to say, but hopefully next week, if we get to the garden centre this Labour Day weekend, I might have some new things to report on. We had lots of rain on Tuesday, but since then there has been some glorious sunshine – see the featured image at the top of the post which was taken on Thursday on a short walk. 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.
So…why is the pineapple sage flowering? I thought it did in the autumn? The move? Who knows!
On my list for the garden centre is a new tarragon plant if possible, new parsley and…I might venture into tomatoes….let’s see! Meanwhile, here is the purple sage still looking good.
The two lavender plants I now have are flowering nicely, and it is nice to have ones of different colours too.
At number four, lots of progress on that hydrangea – really want to know what colour it is!
The little solo nasturtium was still there this morning – I found a couple of packets of seeds when tidying up so think I better get them planted and see what happens.
Finally, I visited our local park, Queen’s Park, for the first time this week. Created in 1897 by the Wellington City Council from part of the Town Belt, it was named Queens Park to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The park had been neglected until recent action by the Thorndon Residents Association and the local council, and thanks to their effort, is now a lovely place for a quiet stroll. The fountain pictured below dates from the 1950s. It is lovely to have this space on our doorstep. You can read more about the restoration of the park here.
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. I probably won’t be here next Saturday, bur promise to report when we get a bit more settles.
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 
This park looks very beautiful especially with the nice weather. I like the colour of the 2nd lavender. I only have a dark one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes the lighter coloured lavender is lovely. I need to explore that park a bit more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your local park looks like a lovely and relaxing place. I love the yellow Nasturtium and I’m also keen to find out what colour flowers your Hydrangea will produce.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes we have that wee park and the Botanic Gardens close by. Yes the hydrangea is a plant I am watching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely being close to that wonderful park! Your pruned hydrangea is looking very healthy, I’m watching too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am happy to report that it is raining: pleasures of the week rolled into one! I like your lavenders and am always glad to see nasturtiums.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hoorah! So glad you have finally got some rain! Nasturtiums are always fun.
LikeLike
Was just looking at the park on Google maps, just a small part of the Town Belt area by the looks of it. Good stuff to have on your doorstep on the face of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are so close to the Town Belt, and yet 10 minutes walk from Parliament. It is one of the things I love about Wellington as a city.
LikeLike
I love the lavender, I’m on the look out for some different varieties, the bees love them so much.
LikeLike
Lovely to have parks on your doorstep, NZ and Australia are alike with their parks
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful park to live by! Exciting for you to be planning your plantings for a new home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe how lucky we were in finding the new place! It is quite nice to start afresh and think about what I will actually use from the garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pineapple sage is flowering now too! And I am sure we have had this conversation before. Tarragon is on my list for a new herb next year. It’s such a lovely one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tarragon is so useful, and you can always make tarragon vinegar or I guess freeze it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely six. 🙂🌸 When I grow pineapple sage, it tries to flower a lot of the year. Lovely tufty lavenders. 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely six. 🙂🌸 When I grow Pineapple sage it tries to flower all year. Lovely tufty lavenders 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have given up trying to guess when things here flower or not – and maybe my pineapple sage wants to be in flower all year too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems strange I start tomatoes and herbs at the same time you do! going herb shopping soon and tomato seedlings are coming up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Shops are full of asparagus, tomatoes are coming down in price…and yes herb shopping time 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
First weekend in ages with no garden work to do. Feels good. Your plants seem to have made the move well.
LikeLike
I love your lavenders! I don’t think I’ve seen the one with the lighter top before, it’s so pretty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is called ‘boysenberry’ but I could be mistaken! I love it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The lavenders are delightful. How nice to have a park on your doorstep. I will have to rely on your garden pictures for colour for some months as our garden is about to hibernate for some months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Barbara – I love local parks and yours is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us — and the wonderful lavenders.
LikeLiked by 2 people