Tag: 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

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

Brrr … Winter is officially two weeks away but it’s feeling decidedly cold and ‘wintry’ already. There’s not really much blooming in our gardens right now but a little planning means we have a few pretty blooms so that we can still take part in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day – this being our 15th time!

Thank you for joining us for our late Autumn show of whats flowering in our South African gardens.

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

I’m not loving Autumn as much as I did last year. I think it may have something to do with some of the plants maturing in my garden and not acting all “fresh and new” as they did last year this time. I’m noticing variegated foliage returning to type (more about that in another post) and just in general I can see some plants need replacing or a severe cutting back (aka a complete makeover). Or perhaps its the change in weather patterns? We seem to be having more rain this year, which is a good thing, but it does change the way some plants behave. But lets see what I have to show …

[one_half]Looking for blooms under a sea of leaves 🙂[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Yay! There’s one! It’s Barleria obtusa[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Mandevilla splenens flower all year here[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Abutilon has flowered for months[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A few Azaleas are flowering now[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Camellias are flowering en-masse[/one_half_last]

[one_half]I love these pretty little daisies[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My new Salvia greggii ‘pink’[/one_half_last]

[one_half]And Salvia greggii ‘white’[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Japanese anemone ‘Honorine Joubert’[/one_half_last]

Also flowering are some indigenous beauties that I will share soon on a ‘Wildflower Wednesday’ post.

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 May 2012

The autumn is ending on a cold note, but I still have the feeling that the warm sun is there to bring life to new seedlings. I have a little meadow patch that will delight me next Bloomers Day, so I look forward to sharing that. There are blooms in special corners, so the mass of colour may not be there, but I do delight in the hidden treasures. Here’s a few colourful corners …..

[one_half]Cosmos looking for the sun[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Gerbera and Alyssum still friends[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Cleome still delight me[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My potato bush amass with flowers[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Salvia Coral Nymph[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rosemary full of blooms and bees[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Yarrow plant[/one_half]

[one_half_last]White Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Tansy back in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Love the blue-face lobelia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Such a great ground cover – fleabain[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Spearmint flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Apple blossom already?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pineapple sage delights the sunbirds![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Protea bush is full this year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Roses are not spectacular this year[/one_half_last]

[one_half]But have a few beauties[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The pink roses smell devine[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hot lips Salvia and Powiss Castle[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and Alyssum hidden in the grass patch[/one_half_last]

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

It’s the height of Summer here in the Western Cape as we do our twelfth combined post for February’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day. Time flies when you are gardening….. Summer has whipped up a few eye-openers when the hazy heat hit us all badly and a few plants struggled to cope. But overall most of the garden showed great resilience and with lots of blooms to share this Bloom Day.

Here’s whats blooming in Christine’s Garden in February 2012

As Summer seems to be winding down and we approach Autumn, I look forward to seeing my Autumn bloomers spring to life, but for now I am enjoying the last of the summer blooms. The Mexican Petunia has been my star performer and two new acquisitions are the Coreopsis verticillata “Moonbeam” and Sutera “Bermuda Sky”, both of which want Full Sun so it will be quite challenging to place them in my garden. A Valentines Day purchase was the rose labelled simply “Patio Rose” which was so pretty that I bought it anyway. Its a miniature rose of the prettiest pink, I couldn’t resist. Thanks for joining me in my Summer Garden.

[one_half]Coreopsis verticillata “Moonbeam”[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sutera “Bermuda Sky”[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Coreopsis verticillata detail[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The label said “Patio Rose”!!![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Iceberg rose[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My first and only Water Lily bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Bougainvillea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I love the yellow centres[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Supertunias are taking over[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tibouchina[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Very proud of my Hydrangea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Abutilon[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The lovely Mexican Petunia[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My favourite Hibiscus[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Day Lily[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Calibrachoa[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dahlias starting to flower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dahlia Top Mix detail[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Fuchsia[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Vireya Rhododendron[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pretty Dahlia[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Angelonias[/one_half_last]

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

Wow – Christine’s garden is so colourful and vibrant. A constant blooming garden. Unfortunately, my country garden has fewer blooms but still offering colour and respite to my many bugs and bees.

[one_half]Gaura looking lively and one of my favs[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Courgette flower – an edible one[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My lemon blossoms are back[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The last of the sunflowers – had a great show[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Gerbera and Alysum still happy together[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Calibrachoa coping really well in the heat[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Bulbine growing strong[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Favourite Salvia “Hot Lips”[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Cleome present from Christine – love them![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Salvia “Coral Nymph”[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Tansy in bloom and the bees are loving it![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Borage back in bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pineapple sage survived the heat![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pink Gaura finally in bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Roses are in full bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Comfrey blooming quietly in the corner[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Strawberry blossoms making a come back[/one_half]

[one_half_last]This flower needs little watering[/one_half_last]

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens for February Garden Bloggers Bloom Day to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in their gardens today. 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

It’s High Summer here in the Cape as we do our eleventh combined post for January’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day. Now is the time we sit back and relax and enjoy the heat and the fruits of our gardening labours. We hope you enjoy our blooms!

Here’s whats blooming in Christine’s Garden in January 2012

Thank you for joining me in my Summer garden. I hope you enjoy …

[one_half]Gloriosa Lily I grew from bulb[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bower vine is covered in flowers[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Agapanthus[/one_third]

[one_third]White Impatiens[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Duranta Alba[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Salvia coccinea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rosa Iceberg[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blue Petunias[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and lots of pink[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Impatiens and ‘roses’[/one_third]

[one_third]Violas[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Begonias[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Hydrangea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hydrangea[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hibiscus[/one_half]

[one_half_last]’Mona Lavender’[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Alyssum[/one_third]

[one_third]Calibrachoa[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Calibrachoa[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Spot the orange[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Gerbera daisies[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Cleome[/one_half]

[one_half_last]More Calibrachoa[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Aquilegia[/one_third]

[one_third]Fuchsia[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Campanula[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Murraya Exotica[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Vireya Rhododendron[/one_half_last]

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

Well, 2011 has been such an active year for me in the garden and I can boast a bit now with all the blooms this summer. The heat is setting in, so I am looking at doing less of the hard work and more of the lazy work, like watering the garden! I am thrilled with my first time ever sunflowers. They really bring the sun!! But my garden may not be as colourful as Christines’. Relax with me and sit back and I hope you will enjoy what’s blooming in my garden…

[one_half]Sunflowers – the Teddy Bear Variety
[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sunflowers in the veggie patch[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Fuchsia is still here, even in this heat[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Potato bush is in full bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hot Lips Salvia[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Such a lovely bush – Hot Lips Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My Miscanthus is also blooming[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Switch Grass is looking so beautiful[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lavender back in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Alysum looking sweet[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pink Comfrey[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chrysanthemums[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Roses are only now looking good[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Coriander in bloom – awaiting the seeds[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pineapple sage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lemon Verbena[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Impatiens[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Erigeron (fleabane)[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Viola grown from seed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]White Gaura[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Celery in flower – how pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Coral Nymph Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My Cleome awaiting planting[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cosmos[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A hidden courgette flower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lemon blooms[/one_half_last]

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens for January Garden Bloggers Bloom Day to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in their gardens today – and check out the German version at Seepferds Garten for Blogger Blüten in Januar! 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