Author: Christine

Dominated by large trees on a medium sized property, my garden is very shaded. With no “full sun” areas I have to plant shade and partial shade loving plants. I love shrubs and flowers including camellias and azaleas but Roses and Irises are my favourite and getting these to thrive is a challenge …

The second Spring day

Welcome Spring! At last some lovely weather, we’ve had two cold but sunny days. Wonderful sunshine and the plants have perked up by the end of the second day. Welcome Spring!

[one_third]The Azalea Alley[/one_third]

[one_third]Irises and Liriope[/one_third]

[one_third_last]The lovely Azaleas[/one_third_last]

[one_third]Delphiniums still in pots[/one_third]

[one_third]Acanthis mollis bud[/one_third]

[one_third_last]The sweet Hellebores[/one_third_last]

[one_third]Salvia are blooming[/one_third]

[one_third]New growth on Azaleas[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Aren’t they lovely?[/one_third_last]

The Azaleas are the star in my early spring garden. I love all the pink and cerise blooms and after the rains they are all showing lovely fresh growth and beautiful blooms.

The first Ipheon flower has shown its face. I didn’t realise they were such small flowers, quite pretty. The Acanthis mollis has sprouted tons of huge buds. I’ve read (and observed) that allowing them to flower destroys the plant. I have three plants and they have covered a rather unattractive corner with their wonderfully large leaves. I’d like to keep them looking good, so I might remove the buds in a day or two.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend
Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags azaleas, spring

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Almost …

It’s almost Spring! Yay!

[one_half]The first Iris bud (I forget the type)[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Hellebores are back![/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Impatiens are waking up[/one_half]

[one_half_last]This year I will plant the Clivia seed![/one_half_last]

The first sunny day in weeks and I went to see about the damage caused by storms and all the rain. Lots of neglected corners, the lawn needs serious attention, lots of plants need care, pruning, cutting back and my “To Do” list gets longer every second as I walk around the various sections of my garden. But signs of Spring are everywhere.

Weigelias are starting to bloom, Azaleas are flourishing and there are buds on all the spring bloomers including the first Iris. Daisies look pretty and the Salvia has grown a lot while I wasn’t paying attention. Every plant seems to be doing something to get my attention …

[one_half]Daisies waiting to be planted[/one_half]

[one_half_last]These were WHITE when I bought them[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hercules … the way he drinks water[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Nobody left the tap dripping ….[/one_half_last]

The birds are back in full force – we are having to refill both water bottles every second day and they again wake me at 5 am every morning as they dart around the back garden looking for grubs in the lawn and berries off the trees and shrubs.

As a true child of Africa, my bones don’t like the unusually cold and long winter we’re having. All I can say is; Roll on Spring …

PS: Last two photos are of my cat, Hercules. He likes to drink water from a running tap … failing that, it has to be from a glass (he will not drink water from a bowl) and if neither is to his satisfaction, he will shout until I open the tap for him … or dive right into the basin looking for water … as in the last photo 🙂

Post Update: I prepared this post yesterday whilst the sun was shining. Guess what … today it is once again POURING with rain here in the Newlands valley.

Tags spring, spring flowers

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Spring is on its way

It was a public holiday here in South Africa today (Women’s Day*), AND the sun was shining for a change, so I managed to get out into the garden. Several urgent tasks required my attention and thanks to the sunny weather, I was able to get quite a bit done. The new Jasminum polyanthum which I bought as a replacement for the Bougainvillea (that became overgrown, crashed and was removed) were finally planted and unravelled from their stakes and then tied and trained onto the bare trellis. It looks very sparse right now but in a few months it will be lush and full like the others I have. I love them … they are extremely easy to grow if planted in the right space, require hardly any attention and my birds love them as much as I do.

[one_half]The newly planted Jasminum polyanthum[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Which will soon look like the others[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Jasminum polyanthum[/one_third]

[one_third]The birds are back in force![/one_third]

[one_third_last]Azaleas flowering in the alley[/one_third_last]

Talking about birds … the Starlings seem to have disappeared for winter and its been very quiet in the garden. Finally about two weeks ago we started hearing the witoogies and sunbirds making a racket again. Rooibeksysies were seen getting water from the pond so we filled up their water bottles and boy are the birds thirsty! We are having to refill the bottles every second day (usually once or twice a week) and we’ve seen birds fighting each other to get to the water. So we’ve filled up all their water bowls and baths again and are enjoying their antics. It is such a joy to have them in the front garden and be able to see them while I work. Once the starlings come back they will again chase the sunbirds and witoogies to the back garden when they take over the front and side gardens from Spring onwards.

[one_half]Dutch Irises growing in a pot this year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lilium emerging two weeks ago[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Lots of new annuals planted[/one_third]

[one_third]New herb and lettuce seedlings[/one_third]

[one_third_last]These make me smile every day[/one_third_last]

I’ve spent quite a bit on filling in “holes” in my back garden. I’ve bought new Agapanthus, Azaleas and Clivias to fill in a few gaps. In the front garden I’ve replaced overgrown, out of control lavender, bought new Gaura to plant with the lavender and I’ve started planting new annual seedlings in the two beds I reserve for annuals. My Irises are looking good and have been composted, fertilised and mulched in preparation for their Spring show. After my initial, small success with the few I bought to experiment with, I then bought a whole lot more and have been watching them grow. My Lilium bulbs are coming up again from last year and I bought a few more of these because I loved them so much. A few gorgeous new Chasmanthe (Barbie’s influence!) found their way home with me – I love the bright, beautiful flowers … as do the birds! Other bulbs are growing well (Dutch Irises, Babianas and Ixias) and the first Hellebore buds are visible. I think Spring might be on its way …

[one_third]The flowers and foliage[/one_third]

[one_third]A closer view of the plant[/one_third]

[one_third_last]The Chasmanthe flower[/one_third_last]

I’d forgotten how lovely my garden can be. Spending a few hours today with my hands in the dirt, lugging around compost, digging, planting and mulching gave me time to look around and see how much things have grown and filled in. In particular I’m loving my Alley-way garden … the Azaleas have started to flower and seeing last years Liliums coming back again is such a delight! Some of them are almost a foot tall already. I’m really looking forward to the sea of lilies again … as well as the Freesias, Ixias, Babianas … and so the cycle continues. Spring is on its way!

That’s all for today!
Happy Gardening
xxx

* Woman’s Day commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’). More about Woman’s Day.

Tags babiana, chasmanthe, freesia, iris, ixia, spring

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My Late Winter Harvest

I’ve been winding down my little herb and vegetable plantation (read: pots and planters filled with herbs and greens) in order to prepare the planters and pots with fresh compost and soil for planting up of fresh seedlings for Spring. So my harvest is small, but it sure packs a punch. For our August Garden Bloggers Harvest Day I’ve managed to fill a basket with wonderful herbs we will use in out kitchen for the next day or so. Judging from whats in the basket, I suspect a great Thai-inspired seafood dish might be on the menu.

What’s in my August basket?

The Violas (or pansies) – there are plenty more happily growing and flowering in the garden so we can pick them if and when we want to use them. Using them in the kitchen is something we’ve never done before and I am experimenting. I doubt I’ll use them for anything other than decorating a dish maybe.

The Fennel – My very first fennel stem harvest. We have been using the fronds already. They are rather nice in a salad and we’ll try the first harvest of the celery-like stems in a dish tomorrow.

Lemon Thyme is a lovely herb and Rosemary we use regularly. It really is at its absolute best when it’s picked fresh from the garden just before use.

[one_half]A closer look at my stash[/one_half]

[one_half_last]There’s fresh rosemary and thyme …[/one_half_last]

[one_half]As well as coriander, fennel, parsley and …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Keeping fresh in little bottles after harvest[/one_half_last]

There is plenty of parsley and the coriander is doing great in this cooler weather (I find it bolts very quickly here in Spring and Summer and I have to continuously replace my Coriander plants in the hot weather if I want fresh coriander on hand. (We use it a LOT in our kitchen).

The limes are wonderful, we use them all the time and never seem to have enough.

I love the Lemongrass plant. It’s lovely to look at looks great in any perennial planting scheme, but here it holds pride of place in my veggie planter because I love it in there. We don’t use lemongrass that often, so for me just one plant seems to supply us with all the fresh lemongrass we need.

When I pick a couple of herbs from the garden and don’t plan to use them immediately I stick the bunches in these little ‘vases’ and they stay fresh and lovely for a few days and are always ready for throwing into a dish. And they look and smell great in the kitchen. Lovely!

My hands have the most wonderful lemony-herby smell on them after this little harvest!

What herbs or vegetables are you harvesting or growing in your garden right now? Please do join us for Garden Bloggers Harvest Day and share photos of your bounty with us all.

Happy Harvesting
xxx

Tags garden bloggers harvest day

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Too pretty to eat

Hi Barbie – I was very inspired by your post about the Edible Flowers in your garden. It got me thinking, how many edible flowers do I have in my garden? Your list is really very comprehensive and includes some flowers I did not know were edible.

I’ve been watching a lot of MasterChef series lately and am always charmed by the look of the dishes that use edible flowers in their plating, but have never ‘tried this at home’. I’m starting to get the whole attraction of decorating a dish with edible flowers, so armed with my camera I went to investigate what flowers I could use to impress guests at my next dinner party.

I was amazed at just how many I have …

[one_half]Sweet little Coriander flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Waterblommetjies in my pond[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Borage is a popular one[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lavender … I always have plenty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Salvia – Really? People eat them?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Jasmine – could be nice with rice[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chrysanthemum are pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]White Violas are lovely[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Tiniest little violets I’ve ever seen[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Mint – smells wonderful[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Cute little blue pansies[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The common Marigold[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dianthus – who knew they were edible[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Flower on the purple pepper[/one_half_last]

Some that are not flowering right now …

[one_half]Day Lily – Do people really eat them?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Apple blossoms are pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]and Lemon blossoms are so fragrant[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Four leaf clover – oxalis[/one_half_last]

A few others I’m not showing here are Impatiens, Fuchsia, Sweet Basil, Nasturtium and Begonias amongst others. I’m not sure I’d use many of them in cooking though but I’ll give a few a try.

What Edible Flowers do you have growing in your garden? And do you use them for cooking?

I would love to see a chart made of every single “edible flower” with a photograph, full name and “best used in …” info. A fun project if people from all over the world contributed. Hmmm…. I’ll make the chart if people send me info and once complete I’ll share it.

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags edible blossoms, edible flowers

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Mid winter in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Post author By Christine
Post date July 16, 2012
27 Comments on Mid winter in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

It’s the coldest winter we’ve had in the Western Cape here in South Africa for as long as we can remember. There’s snow on the mountains nearby and everybody is talking about how cold it is. The promised storms we were warned about passed us by and hit further inland with snow falling in places in South Africa where it has never snowed before. Around here we had a lot of rain, fairly strong wind but not much else to get excited about. Gardening between downpours has started again in earnest as we prepare for spring and look forward to sunny skies once again.

There’s not a lot blooming in either of our gardens right now but lets see what we can show on this very cold winter’s Bloom Day.

Here’s what’s blooming in Christine’s garden in July 2012

I’m really surprised at how many blooms I was able to find for this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Some of my plants seem to think it’s nearly spring and while there are no mass displays of beautiful flowers, it seems at least one of each has decided to excite me with a few blooms to show me whats coming in the next month or two. A single Iris, of all the ones I have planted has a single massive stalk with four stunning blooms! I can’t wait for the rest to wake up and start to flower. And the Tulips (that I vowed not to plant again) are starting to open … and now I’m so glad I planted them again. They really are a joy to behold.

[one_half]Can you believe this Iris?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A low growing Camellia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The gorgeous Tulips[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A new addition; Nemesia Nesia white[/one_half_last]

[one_third]A pretty pink Camellia[/one_third]

[one_third]Strobilanthes and Impatiens[/one_third]

[one_third_last]No bloom, but beautiful colour[/one_third_last]

[one_third]The stunning early Iris[/one_third]

[one_third]Some early flowering Azaleas[/one_third]

[one_third_last]A perfect Tulip bloom[/one_third_last]

[one_half]One of many new blooms; Osteopermum[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Last of the roses – pre-pruning[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This Clivia alawys blooms first[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New Tibouchina looks good here[/one_half_last]

That’s it from Claremont in Cape Town, lets see whats happening in Barbie’s garden in Philly …

Here’s what’s blooming in Barbie’s garden in July 2011

I have been stung by the flower bug this week because I went nursery shopping to bring some colour to my garden for Bloom Day (yes, I have to admit this!) I have two empty beds that needed “dressing” so with no further ado, here are the new additions as well as what is really blooming in my garden!

[one_half]Brachycombe-purple daisy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Arctotis-On Fire[/one_half_last]

Argyranthemum – Daisy Bush – this grows to 15cm in height so it makes a lovely border flower

[one_half]New addition-Chasmanthe[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Marigolds for the veggie paych[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New Lobelia bushes[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Carnations will be new to my garden[/one_half_last]

My little wonder meadow – with tons of different flowers

[one_half]Lamiums everywhere-is name correct?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Phlox in all sorts of colours[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Marigolds and Phlox[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lots of Alyssums in the meadow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Gentle blooms – look like buttercups[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hey – these are new![/one_half_last]

The Cleomes still shine bright over the meadow

[one_half]Some interesting “weeds”[/one_half]

[one_half_last]These little daisies are all over the fields[/one_half_last]

The front garden needed some colour, so I added Decorative Kale to the bucket trio – my hubby’s choice for the garden! I love it when he gets involved!

[one_half]The last rose of winter[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fuchsias are about to bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Deadly Night Shade still in my garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Violas a feature in my veggie patch[/one_half_last]

The heirloom Broad Bean flower – exquisite!

[one_half]Marigolds and Violas live in the veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Gerbera and Alyssums[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Gladiola[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Azaleas are blooming![/one_half_last]

[one_half]I still think the meadow wins![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Blooms and blooms and blooms![/one_half_last]

Even though the weather is cold and wet and miserable, the garden still offers delightful blossoms and blooms.

Happy Bloom Day!

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in July and then pop over to ‘Garten Blogger Blüten im Juli‘ over at Seepferds Garten for the German version of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! And if you haven’t joined yet and have some blooms you’d like to show off, please join in the fun of showcasing your blooms! We’d love to see what YOU have blooming in your garden right now!

Thank you for joining us!

PS: Please join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter – we’ll be so happy if you do!

Happy Gardening!
xxx

Tags garden bloggers bloom day

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Disaster struck (the story of the overgrown Bougainvillea)

Post author By Christine
Post date July 13, 2012
9 Comments on Disaster struck (the story of the overgrown Bougainvillea)

We’ve had our fair share of stormy weather, but this was not a weather related incident. This was all about the Bougainvillea deciding it had enough of being trained up a trellis, growing thick and powerful and then planning its escape …

Before … a happy space to while away the day

When I bought this house there was sort of mirror mosaic on the wall which we were not fond of. But I respect the “Feng-shei”-iness I suspect was behind this placement and design so was reluctant to rip it off the wall. A solution was a trellis for the two Bougainvillea to be trained up and over, which not only covered the ‘mirror art’, but the plants would eventually be trained to ‘tumble’ over the garage roof (which is right behind this wall). So that’s what I did and the Bougainvillea grew and grew. And They Grew!

18 Months later …

[one_half]Here’s how we were growing …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]After the collapse …[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Most of the Bougainvillea removed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Look at them thorns![/one_half_last]

[one_half]They attacked me as I cut it away[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Revenge of the Bougainvillea – thorns[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Sans Bougainvillea …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]before: Avec Bougainvillea[/one_half_last]

So there it is. Back to the ugly wall now waiting for a less aggressive creeper to be planted because I don’t want another fight with a Thorny B. And I think as soon as the weather is better, its time to “re-do” this bed. It could use an overhaul. Come on Spring …

Happy gardening … or if you are in South Africa, beware the storms predicted this weekend and stay warm!

xxx

Tags bougainvillea

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Foliage in my wet winter garden

Post author By Christine
Post date June 24, 2012
15 Comments on Foliage in my wet winter garden

After Barbie showed us her winter garden I thought it was about time I ventured out into the garden between downpours to take a few photographs so I too can show you my wet winter garden. This weekend it has rained pretty much non-stop here in the Newlands valley where I live. Its been cold and chilly and I have not been inspired to do any major garden projects. We’ve been staying indoors, keeping warm and reading the odd gardening book. On my walk-about today I realised that it’s all about the foliage at the moment – and the Camellias of course, but I’ve gone on and on about them in the last few weeks, so today I will focus on the foliage and the promise of things to come …

[one_half]View to my back gate – a burst of red[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Its wet, wet, wet everywhere[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Red foliage of the Nandina peeping through[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Freesias are coming up in the back garden[/one_half_last]

[one_half]There is colour in the new grass garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cape thatching reed looks wonderful[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Irises getting ready for Spring[/one_third]

[one_third]The colour on Nandinas[/one_third]

[one_third_last]The wet wintery Alley-way[/one_third_last]

[one_third]Rain drenched Murraya exotica[/one_third]

[one_third]Nandinas up against the wall[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Rain, rain, go away …[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Ixia bulbs coming up in the grass garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Ixias in a moveable pot for a sunny bed[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Tulips are doing well in moveable pots[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I’m growing Dutch Irises for picking[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Sweet Babianas growing in a pot this year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]More new Irises are coming up[/one_half_last]

[one_half]More Tulips in pots for Spring[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Look! All the new buds on the Jasmine[/one_half_last]

I’m joining Christina for June Foliage Day who says her garden looks as if someone went crazy in it with a blow torch!

I hope you enjoyed the walk through my winter garden.
Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags foliage, foliage follow up, garden bloggers foliage day

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Camellia is fifth of my Twelve

Post author By Christine
Post date June 22, 2012
12 Comments on Camellia is fifth of my Twelve

My shade garden in the middle of winter would be dull indeed if it were not for the bursts of colour provided by the Camellias known as ‘The Empress of Winter’. Another fabulous foundation plant in my garden, Camellias are wonderful evergreen shrubs or small trees that provide seemingly never-ending large blooms in hues of white, pink and cerise, even red. Any post I do in winter seems to feature at least one or two of these beauties. This year the red Camellia is holding onto its saucer sized blooms for weeks on end providing much-needed cheer and colour where otherwise there would be … well nothing!

Diana of Elephant’s Eye asks us to profile our twelve favourite plants. The ones we could not do without in our gardens. Camellia is a foundation plant in my garden – due to all the shade I would not have a colourful winter garden without them. They also require very little attention and reward me with what I consider “sophisticated colour” starting in April all the way through to August. This month Diana profiles Juncus – which she grows in her pond.

The genus Camellia comprises more than 250 species. Among the ornamental species, the Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) (which despite its name is also found in Korea and Eastern China) and Camellia sasanqua are perhaps the most widely known, though most camellias grown for their flowers are cultivars or hybrids.

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

I consider Camellias “investment” plants. You know how they talk about “investment dressing”? That designer coat with the high price tag that is considered a justifiable expense because it will last for years and years? Well that is how I view my Camellias. A higher price tag than the average plant, Camellias will grow and mature, getting better and better every year until one day … you might have a specimen or two to rival the amazing Camellias at Vergelegen Wine Estate (The outstanding collection of over 1000 Camellia bushes at Vergelegen have been recognised as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society). I’ve seen 30-year-old Camellia trees that are absolutely magnificent in full bloom. There is nothing quite like it.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Camellias are one of the most popular winter and spring-flowering shrubs. Although they need acid soil, they are easy to grow in containers of ericaceous (acidic) potting compost. Mine are all in the ground, and I have lots of them. Camellias are woodland plants that grow best in shelter and light shade, although with careful watering they can be grown in sunny positions. They prefer free-draining conditions, with plenty of organic matter, such as leaf mould, incorporated into the soil. I make sure mine are well watered and always have plenty of mulch.

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Useful Links for Camellia lovers:

The International Camellia Society Website
Camellias by the Royal Horticultural Society
Fall Blooming Camellias at Carolyn’s Shade Garden

What are your favourite plants? The stalwarts that provide the backdrop to your garden?

Diana of Elephant’s Eye invites you to write a plant portrait each month. “I challenge you, in 2012, each month choose a plant. Archived pictures of flowers, berries, autumn leaves, wildlife endorsing your choice. Start fresh – what will be your signature plant?” Join Diana and friends on the 3rd Friday every month and showcase one of your favourite plants and see what others have chosen as theirs!

In January I profiled Carex evergold as my signature plant and in February I raved about the Pittosporum eugenioides ‘Variegata’. In March it was Dietes grandiflora and in May it was Clivia that was featured. Next month we will look at the bulbs I love so much. Come back and see!

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags camellia, My Garden of Twelve

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Two Gardens in Winter for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Post author By Christine
Post date June 15, 2012
21 Comments on Two Gardens in Winter for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

The stunning red Camellia, size of a side plate

It is taking a little more effort in June to put together something interesting from our Two Gardens this winter. Even though the foliage and the surrounding trees and shrubs are not looking too shabby, the blooms are timid and don’t seem in the mood to show their faces. We have captured a few hidden gems and hope to impress a few of you this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

Here’s what’s blooming in Barbie’s garden in June 2012

I have not spent enough time cultivating blooms to give an impressive show this month, but the few sunny days we have in between the cold Winter showers has kept a few beauties from hiding all together. Because of the way our house is positioned, we have a lot of dew during the winter days and it never really dries out and the air is icy when the sun has set. So when the sun is out there is a short window of warmth that penetrates the garden and the house. Let’s see what we can find …

[one_half]Erigeron bloom – a lovely ground cover[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A pretty strawberry flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Tansy – coming or going? not sure![/one_half]

[one_half_last]First bloom for my Mexican Petunia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The only Lobelia still standing-bad chickens![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Euphorbia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Winter Meadow showing promise of blooms[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cleomes still blooming – amazing![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Nasturtiums popping up everywhere![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Winter roses are looking lovely.[/one_half_last]

Here’s whats blooming in Christine’s Garden in June 2012 …

You have to really look hard for blooms in my garden this winter. Without the Camellias my winter garden would be very drab but it is still a joy to see a hint of spring to come as all the bulbs are emerging and are looking strong and lush. Don’t let the photographs fool you – it might look like I have lots going on, but in reality it is only the camellias you would notice if you popped in for a visit today. All the other blooms are hiding shyly behind them …

[one_half]The pretty Brachycombe daisy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lavender blooms going strong[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hidden behind the Camellias[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Also hidden … you have to really look[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The splendiferous Camellias![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Salvia and daisies in a sunny spot[/one_half_last]

[one_half]These bloom here all year long
[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Winter prettiness … little white daisies[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Borage bursts into bloom! I love it[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The last of the “Mona Lavender”[/one_half_last]

Looky look! What have we here … Witoogie having a feast

That’s all Folks!

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day in May to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in their gardens today or see Seepferds Garten for the German version. And if you haven’t joined yet and have some blooms you’d like to show off, please join in the fun of showcasing your blooms! We’d love to see what YOU have blooming in YOUR garden right now!

Thank you for joining us!

PS: Please join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter – we’ll be so happy if you do!

[note_box]If you are new to blogging and want to get involved in a Garden Blog Meme, see the list of Garden Blog memes we recommended.[/note_box]

Happy Gardening!
xxx

Tags garden bloggers bloom day