Six on Saturday 14.09.24

Thistles and Kiwis,

Spring is here – you can tell – not just because of the noise of tūī enjoying the kōwhai and spring flowers, but the variable weather. Sunshine, rain, wind, and there has even been snow in parts of the South Island. Anyway, that is the season for you. 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. The featured image is a kōwhai tree on the campus of EIT in Taradale.

Muscari

So, you have heard me moan about the poor show of muscari year after year. I have had about 6 blue ones from the 30 bulbs planted, and one of these white ones I planted in a bowl last year and brought with me. Last year I had zero flowers, this year one (so far). Some success at least.

Herb corner

It is lovely to see fresh signs of life on the tarragon and sage, and the thyme, parsley, curry plant and pineapple sage are all fine too.

Clematis paniculata

It certainly looks like we will have lots of flowers on the relatively newly planted clematis. Should be lovely to see.

More flowers

The silver bush – convolvulus – is flowering. This Mediterranean shrub seems to grow well here, and produces these pretty flowers.

Rosemary

While this really belongs in herb corner, I thought I would feature it on its own as since moving here this plant is thriving. It must enjoy our sunny little patch. I miss having a lavender plant, so that will be on my shopping list for our next trip to the garden centre.

And indoors…

Our cacti are really enjoying the sunny window, two of them producing these gorgeous pink flowers. The bottom right picture looks like a cheeky little face to me.

That’s all from me this week. Look forward to seeing all the wonderful gardens that feature in Six on Saturday.

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. 

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

27 Comments

  1. These cacti are very cute and the flowers are not necessarily expected but always a surprise of colour ! Does the Kōwhai lose its flower petals or leaves because of the wind?

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  9. I love seeing the plants that thrive in your corner of the world! Going with my mom to a big garden center was a special treat that we got to do a couple times a year. I can still recall the scent in that store.

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  12. Kōwhai will grow over here (it was introduced in 1772 by Joseph Banks) but for some reason it is pretty rare. I can’t remember when I last saw one. Perhaps it misses the company of tūī.

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  16. Pingback: If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea… – Thistles and Kiwis

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