23-APR-2018
Salvia
This one has the name "Elite Azure Blue" and is new, I just had to call in
at the local nursery to see if anything took my eye, and this one did!
Hope you like it too..
18-APR-2018
Under the Linden Tree
This tree grows in a bed of small shrubs and perennials, and has started
turning colour since I took this photo. We need some cool nights to help
with the autumn colours... we are still having days in the low 30's here
and some more rain would be nice too.
18-APR-2018
Ginkgo biloba leaves
Again its the time for these to turn a lovely buttery yellow.
They'll probably drop early because we are having another heat-wave
here right now... in the low 30's, and it is mid-autumn!
18-APR-2018
Butterfly Bush
This one has the name "Royal Red" but to me it looks violet so far, perhaps the
wrong label was attached to the plant I bought. A colourful and fragrant addition to
cottage gardens, borders and shrubberies, will attract butterflies to the garden.
I have planted 2 of these this year - in different parts of the rose garden, they
are among my favourites so I hope they do well!
18-APR-2018
Pink Statice
A little plant that doesn't need too much water, should be an asset in the garden
this is the first time I've seen or grown a PINK statice... we have some blue
statice self seeding in some parts of our garden, this should make an interesting
addition! I'm adding it to the group of replacement perennials.
18-APR-2018
Bidens "Firelight"
I have recently re done a patch of perennials (pulled out what was there and replanted new ones), and one that I have never grown
before is this Bidens ferulifolia 'Firelight' - I wonder does anyone know this
plant? I'd be glad of any information if anyone has grown it.
14-APR-2018
Five Trees
Near our front gate we have a bush garden and behind that a mini arboretum
with many trees.. this acts as a windbreak and buffer for noise from the road.
The birds love these trees, and we have some low shrubs for the birds who prefer
to built their nests in a shrub rather than a tree. Here I am featuring a group
of trees that can easily be seen from our driveway. The leafy tree on the left is
a self-sown acacia.
15-APR-2018
Kooky is back
He returned about 3 days ago looking for a feed. He arrived on the
back balcony with a quiet throaty warble looking in to see if we were
there. Dick put out some dog meat and as soon as the coast was clear
he ate it all.
A sedentary bird inhabiting most kinds of wooded country. Usually
occurring in small groups which jointly maintain a territory and
which co-operate in raising the young.
Its extraordinary laughing notes are usually heard at their strongest in
the early morning and at sunset. They feed on small reptiles(including
snakes up to almost a metre in length), insects, crabs and fish, including
ornamental fish kept in garden ponds; it also robs the nests of other birds and
occasionally preys on chickens.
Notes from "What Bird Is That? by Neville W. Cayley; revised edition.
04-APR-2018
Under the Trees in our backyard
3 massive eucalyptus and many smaller trees dot our backyard area... here is
a closer view of life below the trees.
04-APR-2018
Over the Hills and Far away
A view of the distant hills from our place.
Overnight we had RAIN - 15 mm of it, this view will quickly turn green soon!
04-APR-2018
Young plant - pelargonium
I usually take cuttings and grow them in pots before transplanting them into the
garden, and here's one recently planted in an extension of my big pelargonium
patch. Our autumn is the time I usually add new plants to the garden, they settle
in and grow during the winter and spring and become large and tough enough to
endure our very hot and dry summers. This one is planted under some rather
large eucalyptus trees that drop limbs, twigs and leaves 12 months of the year
which acts as a mulch during the summer months keeping the ground cooler and
conserving moisture, but I still need to irrigate all parts of the garden during
our summer.
04-APR-2018
Pot Collection
These reside down the western side of our house partly shaded by trees and can
be seen from our side balcony or the walking path to the gazebo & rose garden.
The variegated flax you can see was a present for my 70th birthday, now 10
years of age.. I have now acquired a palm in a pot for my 80th, no doubt that
will feature on pbase some time in the future! :)
