Tag: roses

Bugs Galore

Post author By Barbara
Post date October 29, 2015

Springtime spender brings more than the beautiful flowers and great edibles!! It brings the hungry critters that devour those same Spring essentials! They must have all arrived on the same bus, because my garden is full of them!!

A fruit beetle in the Tea Tree

This fly is interesting – what is this?? He seems to be devouring a house fly!! It looks like he is a predator. Perhaps a good thing?

My beautiful Borage flowers always bring the bees!! I make sure they are all over the garden. This one is under my peach tree!

My roses are under attack!! The aphids are having a glorious time !! I am waiting for the lady bugs to come and clean up !! So no pesticide spraying in my garden!

What kind of fly is this in a bee costume!!?? Or a bee in a fly costume!??

More and more aphids! These are black and only under the leaves of my Artemesia Powis Castle! Very interesting. I use them in a tea as a bug repellent!

Here is that weird fly again – can anyone put a name to this?

Now this is the strangest – tons of blue flies all over my Tea Tree flowers! Drunk on the nectar!

I have come to respect all those critters and flying visitors to my garden. If there were no aphids, I would never see a lady bug. So all I need to do is patiently wait for the good bugs to arrive! Garden spiders, frogs and lizards are also gathering to feast on the bugaboos. My birds are always happy to help clean up as well. The sugar bird also helps when the button spider population is over growing! Every little creature is necessary in the big scheme of things – so as nature intended it to be!! Who are we to interfere!

Happy bugging (and gardening) xxxx

Tags aphids, bees, Bugs & Pests, fruit beetle, garden, roses

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features

Flourishing in my winter garden

Post author By Barbara
Post date July 27, 2015
6 Comments on Flourishing in my winter garden

I am so pleased to say that there is so much happening in my winter garden. Lots to harvest and even more thriving! Let me show you whats going on…….

Lots flowering….

[one_half]Broad bean flower- shoots are delicious in salads[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pretty Mangetout pea blossom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Garden peas are flowering[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Constantly flowering is the violets[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Waiting for my Chamomile that self seeds every year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The roses are blooming – huh??[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A few roses and the fuchsia has started![/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Fuchsia has come out! So nice to see!![/one_half_last]

[one_half]A perfect rose in winter[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Self seeded Calendula[/one_half_last]

Lots to eat …

[one_half]Wonderful variety with my new layout[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Can you believe I have tomatoes??Yellow Plum[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Broccoli florets-looking healthy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Broccoli ready to pick![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Grenadilla dropping off the vine[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Swiss Chard abounds[/one_half_last]

What is on its way…

[one_half]Parsnips – new this year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cabbage – love growing my own[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lets hope my beetroot thrives this year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lots of love in this garden![/one_half_last]

What herbs do we have…

[one_half]Coriander everywhere-self seeded as well[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oregano, rosemary,thyme, yarrow & lemon balm[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Parsley-flat leaf and curly[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Thyme is abundant[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chives and coriander amongst the lettuces[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Artemesia -trapping the aphids?[/one_half_last]

Composting pals…

[one_half]Here is my active worm farm[/one_half]

[one_half_last]There’s my worms-working hard[/one_half_last]

I hope you are having as much fun in your garden as I am!!

Happy gardening xxxx

Save

Tags aphids, blooms, flowers, gardening, organic garden, roses, vegetables, veggie garden

Annuals Barbie's garden Bugs & Pests Gardening Home page features

Essence of my Winter Garden

Post author By Barbara
Post date June 11, 2015
4 Comments on Essence of my Winter Garden

I love the softness and the coolness of a winter garden. After a harsh summer, it is a pleasure to see so much green. The mist envelopes the mornings and everything looks magical – the spiders webs look like jewellery. I hope you enjoy the walk through my June garden……..

Lets see whats happening in the front garden

[one_half]The front grass bed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The front of the house[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chasmanthas in my raised bed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Raised beds very textured[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Cleaned rose bed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Overworked wheel barrow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Grasses with spider jewellery[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tanks filling up[/one_half_last]

My beautiful Leopard Tree!

[one_half]My Artemesia – Powis Castle[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Such a fragrant and beautiful bush![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Always a bucket to catch more rain water[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Always fun things welcoming you to the garden[/one_half_last]

Lets see whats growing in the winter veggie garden

[one_half]Tamsin’s (my grand-daughter) Garden Peas[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Red Butter Lettuce! A new variety![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Italian flat and curly parsley-snail deterrent[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Broccoli with chives-companion plants[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Kale-well used in all green juices![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Thyme-natural bug repellent near brassicas[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A flourishing Yellow plum tomato[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Self-seeded tomato-clay pot for frogs[/one_half_last]

Another home in the Grenadilla Vines – a spider?? It looks like she strung up glass beads around her front door! Nice styling there!!

The old chicken coup is now a garden shed!

What’s happening in the back garden??

[one_half]Winter colours setting in[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quince tree turning golden[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Back deck is well lived on[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New cosy couches to relax on[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New seedlings for the veggie garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Summer deck not in use![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pepper Tree hanging over[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Coup area still a feature-sans chickens[/one_half_last]

Thanks for taking a walk with me around my garden………

Happy gardening xxx

Save

Tags Leopard Tree, organic vegetables, plants, roses, veggie garden

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

May Day Blooms

I have been so amazed with the weather we had in May and early June. We had sunny & warm days and wet & windy days as well as snow-on-top of Table Mountain days!!! And this can all happen in one week!! The garden takes a real knock, though! The big confusion happens when the peach tree is dropping its autumn leaves and then, ….out of no where a PINK BUD! A flower??? NO! I was not mistaken. It was there!!

Then my neighbour wanted to know what I fed my roses!! I have never had such beautiful roses in May! We are in early winter now here in the Southern Hemisphere, so this is surprising!! I still have a few rose buds – and it is so cold outside! Global warming?? Anyway, wanted to show you how pretty the roses are in my garden……

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Picture perfect!! And they smell so good too!

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Then the rest of the garden…..

[one_half]My Chasmanthe coming out[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Calibrachoa still pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Passion fruit growing wild![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Trailing over my arches[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Beans – my winter crop[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Huge bush of young tomatoes[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

And the two prettiest roses of them all!!! Jessica and Tamsin

– my grand daughters from my fabulous son, Brandon, and my lovely daughter-in-law, Nicky!

Happy gardening everyone xxxxxxx

Tags roses

Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

October clean up

It is always a good idea to have a family visit to motivate you to get the garden looking great! This got me energized and I have enjoyed the manual labour! Got all the muscle groups working! I ordered bags and bags of compost and bark for mulch and got my act together! It might not look like much from the photos but the whole garden was tackled!

I also have some really beautiful blooms to show you!

My roses are finally blooming!

Apple blossoms all over. I can’t wait for these to become golden delicious apples this year!

Love my Irises – the white are my favourite!

My little broody Tara – I can’t snap her out of this! There are NO eggs and she sits and sits on the nest! So I have closed the door – but this makes me more sad! She sits on the balcony! What to do!?

[one_half]Apple blossoms![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fuchsias are looking so pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Rose bush full of roses! Fab![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Buckets of Lavnder[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild corn flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chamomile are in bloom-Tea anyone?[/one_half_last]

Tea Tree bush is also in bloom

[one_half]Love the mix of peas with nasturtium flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chives in bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blueberries en masse[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Peaches growing! Yum![/one_half_last]

Angel’s fishing rods! Dierama – I love them!

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

Favourite Figs for summer!

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Everything composted and mulched![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cut and cleared! lots of work[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Attention shows its colours![/one_half]

[one_half_last]First rose in the rose patch[/one_half_last]

What I see is so many more flowers than I planned for when I originally started my vegetable garden. However, they are all linked. Every bloom gives a treasure or a pleasure – they are all welcome now in my part of the world!

Happy spring gardening xxxx

Tags flowers, garden, lavender, organic garden, plants, roses

Christine's garden Home page features

Flowers to say “I’m Sorry”

Post author By Christine
Post date February 14, 2013
11 Comments on Flowers to say “I’m Sorry”

To all my dear gardening friends, I owe you an apology. Life and work (mostly work) caught up with me and have kept me from my garden and my blog. I miss the daily banter and commenting about our gardens tremendously and I’ve missed ‘watching your gardens grow’. Unfortunately it doesn’t look as if things will slow down anytime soon and I’m committed to this crazy work schedule for at least another three weeks.

I promise I will be back soon to following all my dear garden-blogging friends!

xxx

Tags iceberg roses, roses, sorry

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features

Seasonal Celebrations in the Rose Bed

Post author By Christine
Post date December 7, 2012
13 Comments on Seasonal Celebrations in the Rose Bed

If you come to visit me you’ll ring the door bell from outside and then as you enter and close the door, this is the first thing you will see …

It’s what I see every time I look out of my back door and its bursting with blooms right now. In this small corner of my back garden, the roses are maturing and much larger this year. Covered in so many more blooms than last year, I’m really thrilled with them. Who said roses are difficult? I find them easy – the instructions are so precise: I know exactly when and how much to water and fertilise each shrub and how and when to prune.

Besides the once a year chop, I finger prune my roses occasionally and I am rewarded with such wonderful blooms and greenery, they are an absolute pleasure to me. And when they are pruned and bare for a short while, they just blend into the scenery allowing the other plants in their midst to shine – but only for a brief time while they recover and then come back to steal the lime-light, because once they are flowering its hard not to notice them.

[one_half]Basking in the shadows of the Roses[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quite a few blooms on Monday …[/one_half_last]

[one_half]And lots more blooms by Wednesday[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And even more today![/one_half_last]

I’m tempted to cut the roses and bring them indoors, but I am enjoying this view so much I just can’t bring myself to cut them.

This is a ‘Summer’ Bed, at it’s best from December through to March. It’s far from perfect … I’ve made many changes and keep trying different things, but the roses are a constant around which everything else changes from time to time – except I think I’ll leave the Jasmine on the trellises now – I’m happy with them, even if they are too close in colour to the roses (the foliage). The result is that you do not notice the bare rose stalks when they are pruned and bare from the end of July through to early September – and when the Jasmine flowers in September and October, the scent as you enter the property is wonderful. Jasmine and Lavender …

Growing in the bed below I have Dietes grandilora, Penstemon, a Daisy bush, Heliotropium, a Duranta gold on either side and at the very front some of my Lobularia and Carex’s are really struggling because the dogs and the moles are at war here. Those dogs and moles have cost me a lot of plants! I’m considering other options – when they make me really cross then thorny plants, scarecrows, fences, ‘get off’ pellets … and other scary options spring to mind!

In other news, it’s a busy work time with little time for the garden and even less for blogging, but in two weeks time we will have a break and with it lots of lovely time to spend in the garden!

I’m joining Donna of Garden’s Eye View for Seasonal Celebrations. Seasonal Celebrations is a time for marking the change of seasons and what is happening in your part of the world during this time!

Happy Gardening, wherever you are!
xxx

Tags iceberg roses, roses, seasonal celebration, summer

Barbie's garden Christine's garden Gardening Home page features

End-Spring in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Post author By Barbara
Post date November 16, 2012
11 Comments on End-Spring in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

It is not easy to say that our Spring in coming to an end. It has been a favourite time with tons of flowers and colours. It is the season we all know well for “Spring Cleaning” and we both know what that feels like. Busy keeping the growth under control and watching for the next surprise!

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

It’s not been as “florific” a Spring as I’d hoped for, mainly because I’ve been away and not had much time to spend planning and planting in the garden. Taking photos for this post has been a great exercise as I can see where I need to cut back and where I still have ‘colour gaps’ to fill. The star of my garden in November is Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). It is in full flower and charmingly tumbling off walls, climbing up trees and creeping along the ground … and the scent is just amazing!

Here’s whats flowering in my garden right now …

[one_half]The Agapanthus have started to flower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I’m loving all the Salvia – I have lots[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Last of the Lilies …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and last flush of the Crabapple[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Cute daisies and Heliotropium[/one_third]

[one_third]Dietes bicolor in the same bed[/one_third]

[one_third_last]They are very pretty[/one_third_last]

[one_third]Lovely Gaura lindheimeri[/one_third]

[one_third]The gorgeous Fuchsia[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Time to Dream …[/one_third_last]

[one_third]The interesting flowers of …[/one_third]

[one_third]Acanthus mollis …[/one_third]

[one_third_last]aka Bear’s Breeches[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Pretty Chamomile blooms (thank you Barbie!)[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dietes grandiflora are in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]as is the cute Dietes bicolor[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The lovely Dahlias are huge[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Abutilon seems to flower all year[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Petunias: The big picture …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and Up close and personal[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Star Jasmine climbing up a tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and Up close and personal[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My gorgeous fur-kid, Dexter[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The reddest flower in my garden[/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 October 2012

So much is happening in my garden, I can’t keep up! I swear that my lawn grows 3cm every day! There are so many flowers I wanted to try in my garden this spring, that I have over done it! There are the roses that are at their best now, and the Irises that have given me a splendid show and the daisy-type flowers are all over the garden. The Salvias and the Babianas and the Calendula are all so colourful. Have a look and see what’s exploding in my garden …..

Angels Fishing Rods – Dierama

[one_half]Dietes in full bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Roses are looking their best[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Daisy flowers-not sure of name[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Carnations still blooming[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Babianas are so pretty![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Orange Babiana too![/one_half_last]

[one_half]White Gaura – still a favourite[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oh, more Babiana behind the daisy[/one_half_last]

These roses are so soft and delicate – I call them Auntie Henna Roses.

[one_half]Last remaining Meadow flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And the corn flowers[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Chrysanthemum in the Veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Calendula, Chamomile and Iris here[/one_half_last]

[one_half]California poppy re-seeded[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tea Tree in bloom-so pretty![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Fuchsia in full bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hot Lips Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

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 November! 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 flowers, garden, garden bloggers bloom day, roses

Annuals Barbie's garden Bugs & Pests Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Bugs alive

I guess with the sunshine and the great goodies the garden has to offer, it is not surprizing that I will be seeing more and more critters taking advantage of the flowers! But, I have seen less bugs, so far, than last year. The ladybird beetle is back and she loves the celery and coriander bushes. Aphids are still my archrivals. They are in the roses, lemon tree, brassicas and now I see them in the Artemisia Powis Castle. This is unusual because I thought that bugs don’t like the Artemesia plants. Well, that is where the Ladybird beetle comes in – go fetch!!!

My Calendula is something new to my garden. I read about the great benefits of this wonder plant – Calendula is has been used throughout history in skin preparations. Calendula is beneficial for dry or damaged skin and also promotes the fast healing and regeneration of the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Applying calendula topically is effective for decreasing inflammation and promoting the healing of wounds, burns, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. But the beetles swarm the flowers and the caterpillars are making a feast of it!

[one_half]Munch munch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Little black beetles everywhere[/one_half_last]

I seem to think that the bugs like the YELLOW!! This is the first spring that I have so many ‘daisy-like’ flowers – this is Chrysanthemum.

My hero – the Ladybird beetle!! Go get em!!

Oops! sorry! I see you guys are busy!

A Dandelion in the meadow does not escape the jaws of these little critters!!

I am happy to see that my home-made bug spray is working wonders. I always start with a soapy solution for the Aphids, but this doesn’t seem to last long. I have to apply it frequently, so I tried a new solution. I take Tansy leaves and Artemesia Wormwood and make a tea of this. I have read in Margaret Roberts’ book of 1000 herbs that these two are excellent bug repellants. I fill a bucket half way with the leaves, pour boiling water until it covers the leaves. Leave to cool. Strain the tea and place in a spray bottle with a teaspoon on Sunlight liquid (dishwasher liquid).

I sprayed my Roses last thursday and the Aphids are still gone. However, the new shoots need treating, so I will give it another splash of Bug Spray! This is the only plant that I spray – the rest I leave for nature to enjoy. I have so much to be thankful for, I can let it slide for now!

Happy Gardening xxxx

Tags aphids, Bugs & Pests, flowers, garden, plants, roses

Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Last October Days

After the heat of yesterday and the windy morning, I finally ventured out into the garden to see what needed tending. Besides the blown-over trellis and the build-up of weed, I was amazed to see lots of new growth and happy flowers. I am amazed at how much a garden can really give you when you offer some love and care. I treasure the surprises and the jump-for-joy moments, like the new Louisiana Iris in the front garden, the first new Rose or the Broccoli sprout and the sweet carrots.

My first rose bud. It is so sweet and gloriously scented!

[one_half]Dianthus in full bloom next to the Tea Tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New rose bushes with Powis Castle[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Salvia Hot Lips in the rose patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Some rose buds, Fuchsia growing tall[/one_half_last]

[one_half]What a beautiful colour-Louisiana Iris[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A single perfect flower-just lovely![/one_half_last]

[one_third]Artemesia[/one_third]

[one_third]My Auntie Henna Rose[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Fuchsia lush and green[/one_third_last]

The Grass Feature is coming alive. The grasses are in their 3rd Season, so this is the year for them to shine!

[one_half]The grass feature is amazing[/one_half]

[one_half_last]All grasses are in full growth[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The riverbed still looking good[/one_half]

[one_half_last]This will be so nice in summer[/one_half_last]

Well, the front garden is in full display. The Leopard trees are about to bud and within a few weeks will be rich and green with new leaves. Now let’s see what the back garden is doing …..

The Carnations are still blooming – together with the Yarrow. Both are new to my garden and seem to be happy in the new bed.

[one_half]Chamomile- great tea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sage – Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Calendula – my first ever from seeds[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A favourite medicinal flower[/one_half_last]

My first Fennel plant with flowers – from this one I will collect the seeds.

[one_half]Babiana are so pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My first carnations that didn’t die on me[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Sweetpea up the ladder[/one_third]

[one_third]The new bed[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Buffy hiding from me[/one_third_last]

[one_half]My new apple trees in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quinces are now starting[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New strawberries – I love spring![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Blueberry bush also producing[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Watering hole next to the Tansy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another watering hole[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My first Lily-behind the pineapple sage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A dove in her new nest in the potato bush[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blue Cornflowers in the meadow[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Don’t know what this is-but pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Another unknown flower in the meadow[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another non-name flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild growing Nasturtiums[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Meadow flowers coming to an end[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Best Lemons ever![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Loquats are nearly ripe![/one_half_last]

I have so many more photos,but I think I will post them on another day. There is so much happening in my garden right now and I haven’t even touched on the veggie patch.

Til next post – Happy Gardening xxxxxx

Tags dove, flowers, garden, gardening, grass feature, grasses, lemon tree, plants, roses, spring