Well, mostly purple anyway. Everything is growing now, in spite of or because of the rain. Anemones are producing continually as I planted them gradually, and they obviously had no appeal to whatever ate the tulips. Dutch Iris are still brilliant. There are still some Freesias and Geranium Narcissus for scent, and perennial Stocks.
Poppies are out, and the Cineraria have been flowering for a while. I bought a mix and I love this almost white one.
I picked some Hebes to remind me to plant more of them. At this time where the days are short and flowers are disappearing they are welcome food for bees and other pollinators, which made a *beeline* for the Hebes and Chrysanthemums in the bouquet.
Hebes are a native NZ plant, so they are tough in our environment, growing well in windy sunny places. They do well on a bank, but don’t cope with wet soggy soils or too much shade. There are hundreds of different cultivars – from the little green balls of the tiny Tom Thumb to large shrubs with exuberantly waving branches and long white flowers such as I have picked.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – Roses with Hebes and Dichroa”
There are flowers still amongst the growing number of brown seedheads. Salvia and Chrysanthemums are still covered in blooms. A few Penstemons, a few Roses, and the last of the standard Dahlias are sprinkled around. Fuschias have flowered all through the summer and are still making new buds as well as fresh green leaves. The Hydrangeas are finishing gracefully in shades of purple, brown and turquoise.
It’s been another lovely Autumn weekend. Thankfully my finger was healed enough to get a big size glove over it and I was able to finish my garden tidy up and bulb planting. The Anemones are wildly flowering – a huge row of them all like soft cotton pleats and ruffles. And the first of my random seedling dahlias has flowered! Although it’s parent was a rather garish raspberry ripple this one is a smaller soft lemon and white. Probably nothing for the show bench but perfect for me.
In contrast to the wild colours in the garden right now, I’ve tried to keep the colours soft and quiet so as not to overpower the anemones. Pelargonium Appleblossom Rosebud which I used to have years ago, and recently got again from C’s aunt, who has a garden full of wonderful things, is doing brilliantly under the lime trees, so I picked quite a few of these.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – Anemones with other pastels”
We are visiting C’s dad and it’s colder here than at home. Because New Zealand is long and narrow North to South, travelling even a few hours by car changes the climate. It’s rainy and windy, a good day to stay inside and take photos.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday -English Roses and Hybrid Teas”
Absent Gardener 