BLACK HOLLYHOCK

I have been waiting for some Hollyhocks in the garden to flower and was surprised when they turned out to be black.  They must have been a punnet of seedlings I bought somewhere but I had no idea they were black.  Here they are :

with our first poppy

and the lovely oak leafed hydrangea

                                                         the gardenia is in flower
                                     

                                                              and one of our alstroemeria

Flowers, a Moth and a Meteor

Many years ago (30 or 40) I collected some brass and copper preserving pans.  Max had this tripod made up for one of them and we always had plants in it.  It has been sitting in the shed since our move over five years ago but as I have plenty of Streptocarpus in flower at present I decided to get it out.  It could do with a repaint but, in the meantime, I think it looks good.  I really must get going on Trade Me and dispose of the others.

This rose is outside my bedroom window.  A couple of weeks ago I counted over thirty buds on it for its second flowering of the season.  

Nothing very marvellous here just a general view of the top garden.

This morning when I got up I found this pretty moth sitting in the kitchen on my copy of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Light and Easy Cookbook.  Can anyone tell me its name please?

On Wednesday at about 10 p.m. just as Doug was heading home the sky was lit up.  We both assumed it was lightening but it didn't really seem like that and there was no thunder.  Yesterday we heard that it was, in fact, a Meteor.  Doug had a better view as he was looking up my drive.

LIFE

Apart from the walks we do and the odd day trip I also visit Max, usually three times a week.  This week he hasn't been too good mainly because he didn't have a pressure cushion.  I have been going in more frequently to make sure he is given a cushion and have suggested that, if necessary, I will buy him his own as long as it is used.

Anyway, today, when we went in he was on a cushion although not the one he should have been and he also looked a lot better.  Yesterday, he didn't look at all well.

To make matters worse yesterday Doug heard that his brother-in-law had been in a single car accident at the weekend.  He is in a critical condition.

I was not feeling particularly happy this morning.  I was ready to do some gardening and when I opened the back door just before 7 a.m.  I found a parcel. At first, I thought it was some plants I had ordered  but then realised the parcel was the wrong shape.  I picked it up and it was very light.

Last month my brother (Cro of Magnon's Meanderings posted about his woven shopping basket and I, jokingly, suggested it would be a great present for my big birthday later in the year.  Thank you brother for my Christmas/Birthday prezzie- I have already used it.  I phoned him straight away and we had a chat. The packet was an inside out dog biscuit bag.  Just the job.

The plants arrived later - they come in newspaper wrapped bundles.  

Lebanese cucumber, foxglove, chervil, basil, hanging basket mix, gazanias, and geranium.  Although the weather has been quite warm for the last few days it has turned very cold today with a strong wind.  Rain is forecast and much needed.  I hope things warm up and I can get them planted.

Respite is Nearly Over

My period of respite comes to an end on Monday.  It will be good to have M. back home.  I am still a little tired but that is because of having to go up to Kaitaia last week for a minor operation which I am still getting over.  Still I generally feel a lot better.

Have just been for a walk around the neighbourhood and noticed in particular this tree (not sure of its name).  I must keep an eye on it to see what develops from the buds.

Another tree that looks pretty at this time of year I thought was called Rhus but when I look up Rhus it appears to be something different and very poisonous.  Still this is pretty.  There are a lot of them about.

When I got home I thought the Banksia rose looked very pretty.  This was huge when we bought the property two years ago but I have cut it right back and still want to cut a bit more but am waiting for it to finish flowering.  The large trunk is to the right of the post.

We have a second more fragile looking Magnolia out at present as well.

Earlier I went out with some friends to the Town Basin (as in yacht basin) and on the way stopped at a new plant nursery and bought three kowhai trees and a red flowered titree or manuka.  Apparently every fifth customer qualified for 8 vegie plants so I also got some Italian parsley, leeks and a selection of lettuce plants thrown in.

Meanwhile the Rena is still spilling oil and containers into the sea in the Bay of Plenty.  It could just have easily been adjacent to our harbour.