PROGRESS

Yesterday, we did more work on the front (flower) garden.  At the back of the garden is an area of very tall astroemeria and I spent the morning pulling out the dead stems.  While I did this Doug weeded the garden and started to spread the mulch.  

These photos were taken at lunch time yesterday.  We were unable to do any more as we were going to neighbours for afternoon tea and then, after feeding the animals, out for dinner at Alzheimers (roast pork followed by mini pavlovas with mixed berries).

SPRING COLOUR

Not the best photos taken in a hurry but some spring colour in our garden.

SPRING

Tomatoe sweet 'n Neat red in a pot

Two varieties of potatoe - Purple Passion and Agria

One of many Fuschia

Hippeastrum

Geranium (or pelargonium) 

Lots of shrubs of this lovely rose

                                                                            Alstroemia

Another Alstroemia

                                  More geraniums (or pelargoneums)

Another Alstroemeria

                                              Not sure of the name of this (Daisy?)

                               I thought these were all courgettes but a couple look different

                                                           Black cherry tomatoe

Bloody Butcher tomatoe

Russian Red tomatoe

                                                               Sunflowers and Tansy

Scarlet Runners

Silver Beet. Kale and lettuce

                                                                  Another Fuschia

                        Some climbing beans from seeds I had kept for a couple of years.

Radish and, underneath, carrots

There are also some smaller tomatoe plants for a variety just called Red. An old variety from Yates Seeds.

Also, a Port Albert heritage cucumber and a Lebanese cucumber  plus some other odds and ends.  Hopefully, we will be eating well - weather and bugs permitting.

Spring must be on its way.

Although it didn't feel like spring when we were standing in what seemed to be a very cold wind tunnel collecting for the Alzheimer's Society yesterday, judging by the flowers that are appearing it must be on its way.


When I moved here in 2009 this wisteria appeared - I presume it was a seedling.  Over the last couple of years I have trained it up and over the pergola.  It now has a group of flowers at the base, another halfway up the post and more hanging down although a lot are lying on the ground, presumably knocked down by the numerous birds.

When we were in the north I had a couple of New South Wales Waratah bushes but do not have one down here, however, Doug has several and I picked these flowers yesterday.

The clivias always do well.

I had just one geranium maderense but scattered its seeds around and now have several of them some, like this one, growing on the rock wall.

The magnolia at the bottom of the garden must be past its best judging by all the petals underneath it

There is also the promise of delicious plums to come judging by the flowers.

The weather is springlike.  We have had some lovely warm days and I have managed to get into the garden and have a go at the numerous weeds.  This morning was lovely and reasonably warm as Doug collected me for our Saturday morning ritual of the market, dog walking and  supermarket shopping.  The temperature has just dropped and there is quite steady rain.  I just checked and rain or showers are forecast for the next ten days just when I want to get on with the weeding.

Spring is on its way

I don't know where the time has gone.  It has been a wet day today but spring appears to be on its way.

These plants are waiting to be planted out.

The Rhododendron is having its second flowering.  Not an exciting one but it adds a touch of colour.

                              This stock? was part of a bundle of seedlings from Awapuni.

The Magnolia is doing well this year.  I have a second one - same colours but a narrow pointed flower.

                                               The daffodils are just coming into flower.

                                   

When we bought there was a "summerhouse" which we named the Rose Hut as it was covered in a huge Banksia Rose.  I think I had actually given it a prune in this photo.

I cut it back very hard and it had actually grown through the cedar shingles on the roof.

Recently Doug, my knight in shining armour, has virtually rebuilt it.  I am thrilled with the result.  Now all I have to do is get on with more pruning, weeding and planting out.

ANZAC DAY

This morning we went to the Anzac Day Memorial Service in Kamo.  I also went last year and a lot of thought is put into  planning of the service.

After that we drove down to Laurie Hall Park in Whangarei itself where the Dawn Service was held to see the crosses and wreaths.

In the photo below there is a Monarch Butterfly on the front cross.  Unfortunately, it has its wings closed in the photo.

There were too many people standing in front of the wreaths to get a photo of the whole table

I have some large gaps in my garden now as I had several large bushes and lots of day lilies removed yesterday.  It looks better already and we sprayed the weeds that are left today and, when they die, I will replant.  Several other areas are planned for this treatment - watch this space.