Category: Annuals

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Perenniels

Bugs eye view

It is amazing what we see through our eyes. But what if we could see through the eyes of a bug? It is of course impossible for humans to percieve what an insect sees, but we think that a compound eye, consisting of 2 to 20 000 lenses will project a sort of mosaic image. So our eyes are very sophisticated to see near and far, like we do.

What an amazing world opens up to us when we add lenses to our eyes, in the form of a magnifying glass, macro lenses on cameras or microscopes.  I love looking closely at things, flowers, leaves and insects. I also have a nicroscope in my kitchen that I use often to see what is bothering my plants – a fungus or an insect. When I can get that on camera for you, I will definitely post it, but in the meantime I will use my camera!

[one_half]Borage in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Onion flower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Violas still in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Bulbine[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Leopard Tree’s new leaves[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blueberry blossoms[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lavender always lovely[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Fuschias – the bell of the ball[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild flowers in my back garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Rosemary blooms delight[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bugs eye view[/one_half_last]

Happy Gardening
xxx

 

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Love in my garden

[one_half]Love in my garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Homemade fence[/one_half_last]

I stood on my deck this morning looking out into the garden and marvelled at all that has been achieved this past year and had 100 ideas of what I still want to do. I always thought that there was an end to what you do in a garden, once you have ‘landscaped it’. This, I have now learnt, is not so. There is continuous change, always new growth and even more new things to try. I have come to understand the way I work in my garden. It comes from love and it comes from trying something new. It starts with an idea. I have the freedom to do as I please – thanks to my non-gardening hubby who is always there to help – when I ask! I build and dig and play and through all this a wonderful place emerges.

[one_half]Wild flowers in my back garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Buffy wanting a picture taken[/one_half_last]

My gardening friends always on the ready. Sometimes too enthusiastic but always by my side when I am playing in the garden.

[one_half]New rose buds -with pesky critters to boot[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My fig tree is in bud[/one_half_last]

Everything is starting to bloom – all brand new. Here are my two favourite plants – my roses and my fig tree. You can feel the love! Here are some more new growths.

[one_half]Guara in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lavender still a winner[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A brand new corn flower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Jasmine’s are everywhere[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Planter full of love and bulbs[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quince tree with new leaves[/one_half_last]

I love spring xx

Happy gardening

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Annuals Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

The first Asiatic Lily and other Joys of Spring

First Oriental Lily in bloom

“If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom” – Terri Guillemets

Plant, care, watch, wait, stand back and admire … repeat.

How immensely satisfying it is to plant a bulb, seed or seedling and watch it develop and finally bloom. Had I known all this 30 years ago I may well have made very different career choices in life. How I envy those who chose the road of Horticulture or gardening as their profession. Don’t get me wrong, I love my work, but oh my! I admit to loving my garden a whole lot more! What a Joy it is to step outside on a Spring morning and discover new blooms and fresh new shoots on plants. From bulbs that are blooming to plants specially selected for foliage … add some loving care, a good downpour and then a bit of sunshine and … Ta Da!!

And here we have today’s surprises …

[one_half]First Asiatic Lily in bloomAsiatic Lilies[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Freesias wherever you look…Wherever you look there are Freesias[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Ixias about to flowerIxias about to flower[/one_third]

[one_third]Sinfonietta Iris budSinfonietta Iris bud[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Lemon tree covered in budsLemon tree covered in buds[/one_third_last]

[one_third]Sigh, I love them … so prettySigh, I love them ... so pretty[/one_third]

[one_third]The first Lily in all her gloryThe Lily in all her glory[/one_third]

[one_third_last]All these colours on one plantAll these colours on one plant[/one_third_last]

Today the first of the +/- 80 Liliums I planted is blooming, and how gorgeous it looks. Of all the bulbs I planted I am finding the Liliums the most satisfying. All the bulbs have come up, some are standing 1.5m high and all are covered in buds. The Lilium Longiflorum (St Josephs Lilies) bulbs were planted towards the back of the bed and the slightly shorter Asiatics were planted slightly forward. The overall look of the bed is fabulous – even without the flowers.

The individual plants are strong and standing proudly upright (no staking required although I’ve read it is sometimes required) and I enjoy the shiny green foliage that has filled the bed and makes it look most promising. (I will do a post soon to show before and after photographs of this bed – It’s an amazing transformation – my absolute favourite right now).

Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labour, regardless of the season!

Happy Gardening
xxx

I’m linking this to Weekendflowers # 10! Click to visit!

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Happy Spring Day

The 1st of September has arrived! To you my gardening buddy and to all our friends out there – HAPPY SPRING DAY!! I am so excited that it has finally arrived. Who would ever have guessed that Spring would be such a special season for me!! I used to see it come and go, enjoying the colours and the flowers but now – with the Gardening Blog  and my gardening friend – it is such a special occassion. My buds are flowering and my seeds are sprouting!

HAPPY SPRING DAY! Enjoy your garden today!

Enjoy my garden delights! This is my peach tree in bloom – so gorgeous!!!

 

[one_half]Borage blossom

[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sweet Jasmine[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lemon blossom buds[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dierama – Angel’s fishing rods[/one_half_last]

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Sowing the seeds of love

Hi Chris, I am busy sowing my spring vegetable seeds using the great ideas from our blogger friends. I have my magic seeder and recycling all the toilet roll inners to use as planters. I’ve been collecting for ages, as you can see! I’m busy planting lettuce, tomato, beet root, cucumber, sweet basil, cabbage, spinach, swiss chard, carrots, squashes, onions, broccolli, and the new potatoes still to come. I can’t wait to see these all flourishing in the months to come. My boxes are ready and so is my big veggie patch. I’ll be able to feed a small nation with all these seeds 🙂

Wish me luck xx

[one_half]Tomato & Sweet Basil[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Magic Seeder and spinach seed trays[/one_half_last]

 

 

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Annuals Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Buds galore and my first ever Tulip. Could it be …

So excited about my first tulip

… that Spring is on its way?

When I look past all that still needs to be done in terms of preparing my garden for the imminent arrival of Spring and Summer, it gladdens my heart to see buds, buds and more buds all over the place! If you had told me two years ago that I would get excited about seeing buds on plants, I would have asked you what you were smoking, but that’s exactly how it is right now. I’m like a child in a candy store, jumping around from bed to bed and getting excited about the buds I see and the promise of things to come, just a few short weeks away!

Buds are everywhere and in my enthusiasm I must have taken about 200 photographs yesterday of all “my buds”. Whilst not all the plants and bulbs I planted are “budding” yet, most are and I am really thrilled.

I thought I would share some of my favourites with you …

The promise of things to come …

[one_half]The first Ranunculus BudThe first Ranunculus Bud[/one_half]

[one_half_last]On the Lemon TreeOn the Lemon Tree[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Murraya Exotica budsMurraya Exotica buds[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cinerarias (I think thats what these are)Cinerarias (I think thats what these are)[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Nandina (heavenly bamboo) blossomsNandina (heavenly bamboo) blossoms[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Heliotropium arborescens ‘Marine’Heliotropium arborescens 'Marine'[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Madevilla splenens always in budMadevilla splenens always in bud[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pink Azaleas are everywherePink Azaleas are everywhere[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Yipee! Tulip buds …Yipee! Tulip buds ...[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oh my … what have we here?Oh my ... what have we here?[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The first of the Tulips opensThe first of the Tulips opens[/one_half]

[one_half_last]So excited about my first ever TulipSo excited about my first tulip[/one_half_last]

I’ve excluded photos of the buds on the lime tree, the snow drops (Leucojum aestivum), Freesias, Dietes grandiflora, Viburnum tinus ‘Lucidum’, Impatiens, Liliums and the Camellia buds which are not giving up just yet. Also flowering are Hellebores, Violas, Dianthus, Alliums and Lobularia.

What’s “budding” in your garden right now? What are you excited about?

Happy Gardening
xxx

 

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Another bag of potting soil

A Bag of Potting Soil

I had to get a bag of potting soil today for a planter that is being used for the tulip bulbs (no, I still haven’t planted them, but i have a good reason! I needed to get potting soil …)

As always, I seem to be incapable of walking into the nursery and leaving with only what I came for. This time a few seedlings found their way into my car as well as four white Dipladenias. I have a plan for the Dipladenias (or are they Mandevillas – can the plant-naming-people make up their minds? My previous Dipladenias were labelled Mandevilla and these are exactly the same but labelled Dipladenia).

But, I going off point … The plan for the Dipladenias; the two I have are doing so well here that I decided to get more for the front bed trellisses. Its too hot there for the existing Star Jasmine which are getting scorched so I need to  move them (or over-plant with the Dipladenias – is that a thing one can do?)

Then the little six-pack seedling trays were calling me and I came home with Delphiniums, Digitalis and Cinerarias. Now to find homes for them …

[one_half]New acquisitionsA Bag of Potting Soil[/one_half]

[one_half_last]SeedlingsSeedlings[/one_half_last]

It looks like rain this weekend. Hopefully it will clear long enough for me to spend some time in the garden.

Happy Gardening
xxx

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Annuals Barbie's garden Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Perenniels

Autumn in two Gardens for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day in May

Our third combined post for the monthly Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, here’s whats happening in our Gardens in May. We hope you enjoy our “May blooms” and then join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in May and then pop over to ‘Garten Blogger Blüten im Mei‘ over at Seepferds Garten for the German version of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! Enjoy!

What’s Blooming in Barbie’s Garden in May 2011

With the weather changing and the days bringing unusually warm temperatures and then turing icy cold the next, brings the most interesting flowers. I had little hope of anything exciting. With a busy work schedule, I had little time in the garden this past week so when I stepped out with my camera I found flowers in the smallest of places. Hidden in the tomato patch and high up in the protea bush… enjoy my garden selection!

[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]

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Lets check out whats happening in Chrisine’s Garden in May…

What’s Blooming in Christine’s Garden in May 2011

With cooler temperatures and a fair amount of rain, growth in my garden has been great resulting in lots of lush green growth, but very few “spectacular” type blooms. The Camellias are flowering, some Azaleas are putting on an early show and the Murraya Exotica (Orange Jasmine) are blooming. Looking around for blooms to give you a good show, here is what’s blooming in my garden in May; lots of pink and white, but the overwhelming theme in my “May Garden” is Green!

[one_half]Pansies[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Murraya Exotica[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Iceberg Roses[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Miniature Roses[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Azaleas[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Camellias[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chameleon Plant[/one_half_last]

The last photograph is not a “bloom” as such, but I wanted to show the beautiful variegated leaves of my Chameleon Plants – Pretty, no?

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Recycled old barrow

Barrow of flowers

Hi Chris, I love the autumn colour in your garden  and the colourful leaves are the best of all!! Unfortunatetly, I have no colourful trees that can boast their autumn-ness. But I do have a post that you might like. Remember when you came to visit and we both looked at the wheel barrow in the front garden – left there after the big tree planting. And we BOTH liked the idea of an old wheel barrow full of flowers….. well!

Barrow of flowers

I do have a rusty old wheel barrow and I filled it with poppy seeds. So I hope to have a Barrow of Blommies (flowers for our non-South African friends)  soon. I see the little heads already pushing through. I threw a few in the garden as well to bring some colour to the grass area. I used Californian Poppies and the Blue  Corn Flower, so this will be so pretty when they are in full bloom. I found a few nice pics on the internet of them here ……. Happy Gardening xxx

[one_half]PoppyCalifornian Poppy-image from google[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Corn FlowerCorn Flower-image from google[/one_half_last]

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One bag of potting soil

One bag of potting soil!

This afternoon I had to pop in to the nursery to get ONE bag of potting soil. That’s all. One bag of potting soil. I promised myself that was all I would buy as I have so much work to do in the garden and still have some plants standing around (from the Elgin trip) that need to be planted. That’s the deal I make with myself – I’m only allowed to buy plants when everything is planted and there is nothing much to do in the garden.

I needed one bag of potting soil to fill a container that is being planted with spring flowering bulbs. Thats my mission this weekend – to get all the bulbs planted. So I really needed the potting soil.

Here is what one bag of potting soil looks like in my world …

One bag of potting soil ...

But here’s why …

When I got there I realised that the Narcissus bulbs need a container too (aren’t they pretty?)
The “bulb book” says its a good idea to over-plant the bulbs with annuals (as a living mulch), so I  “needed” the Lobularia.
I found Helichrysum which I just love and had been looking for.
And I fell in love with the Dianella (variegated Flax Lily) – I think it will look great with the uninvited Caladium in the shade garden.

See? All neccessary purchases after all …

Happy Gardening
xxx