plants – Page 7 – Gardens. Travel. Life.

Posted on June 8, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 3 Comments

Six on Saturday Somerset

Back in Somerset for a few days to do some work on the neglected garden! Despite the plethora of ground elder and bindweed there were some good bits.

The honeysuckle over the arch , Graham Thomas I think ha gone flower crazy this year. It’s a beautifully scented plant and is a real attraction to the bees. I hate to dodge them as I ventured through.

The garden ha always done well with Astrantia. I’m not sure which one this is. I know I have bought astrantia shaggy but that is all white.

The Cornus is another one that has gone mad. It’s a pretty large specimen and is a great addition to the garden.

Another Astrantia. Could be ruby wedding or Hadspen blood. Whatever it is it’s lovely.

I pruned the roses after leaving it to late last year as we were away. They have responded well. Those pruned hard have come back and have plenty of buds. This is a climber hidden under a clematis!

I’ve never been too successful with clematis. But this one has proved to be a winner.

Posted on April 23, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 1 Comment

The rain In Spain.

You know. They weren’t telling the truth when they said the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain. We have decamped to the Costa del Sol for the Easter break. A friend arriving. Plans to do things. A garden to visit high up in The Alpujurra mountains. Costa del Sol. Where’s trade descriptions when you need them. Sol. Donde es Sol?

We are 610 m up in the mountains with a view to the coast. Unless the cloud has come down and you sitting in the middle of it and can only see as far as the hedge. This happens a few times of the year. Easter this year being one of them.

There has been sun. After the rains which have moved from the plain. Whilst the UK basks in sunshine and my social media is full of people enjoying the bank holiday in untraditional bank holiday weather. The garden visit didn’t happen. A two hour drive was too far to go to find it was chucking it down when we got there.

We did manage a trip to Cordoba. A 2.5 hour drive from La Casa. We had been before on a two night stopover and had seen the run up to the patio garden festival. The Alcazar and the mosque cathedral. This time was to visit what we could in the time we had.

The Gardens of the Alcazar are a treat. I’ve found that the planting in these historic gardens are very British. British in that many of the plants we grow in the Uk. Roses. Antihrinums. Lobelia – which I last saw in borders in my parents garden back in the 1980’s. And in their hanging baskets.

I love the use of water in these gardens the long areas of water and the rolls that run along every where. They had a couple of beds which had largely huge snapdragons Really tall. Really colourful. Much taller than I have ever seen them grow in the Uk. And much earlier. The weather here has been patchy these last few weeks.

Another plant from my parents garden in the 1980’s! I’m always surprised at how well roses grow here in Spain. When we first bought the house I noticed the house opposite had a fabulous red rambler over its wall. It was spectacular. I had to go and check it was real. It was. There were a couple of beds at the Alcazar which had roses. Not much else but roses and whilst the planting was patchy the actual roses were stunning

I would like to grow Roses in an area of the garden but think I’ll stick to the only one I have. its a bit too British for me – and my plan here is Mediterranean with a bit of British!! So for now one lovely yellow banksia rose climbing the jacaranda tree. All of a sudden it’s burst into bloom and looks awesome.

Banksia rose -Competa

My only complaint is that for me the ideal rose is scented. Repeat flowering and if possible as an addition thornless. The yellow banksia is not.

Only being here part of the time means I can miss some of the flowering in our own garden. This year I have been lucky with the banksia.

The symmetry of these gardens is as you’d expect. Similar in style as the gardens at the Alhambra and the Alcazar in Seville. This year so far I have not been to the Alhambra. Maybe later in the summer. Tickets are like gold dust but are available last minute if you keep your eyes peeled. I love the planting there but again in the past has been very annual plant based.

The mosque Cathedral in Cordoba is an amazing space. I love the feeling of peacefulness and calm in the mosque and the simplicity of the architecture against the bling and pomp of the cathedral,set within it. A contrast to the walk through the Alcazar gardens further along the road.

I did have time to potter about in our own garden. The sun. Rain. Sun. Rain effect has meant that it’s green. Very green. I can’t remember the agapanthus being as big as they are this year. The leaves appear huge. I hope that’s not a sign of big leaves. Small or no flower. I have started to feed them recently !

There is colour in the garden albeit a bit patchy. The ferns which we re potted a few weeks ago are growing well. There are six more spikes on the Strelitzia Reginae. The freesias from Peter Nyssen have been spectacular again this year and I’ve had success with succession planting. The last of them will have gone over this week. The dietes grandiflora – fairy iris has continued to flower and the new one I planted has also taken well now I know some people find the bottle brush to be a bit common. But I love it in a Mediterranean garden.

Last year I tried growing seeds direct into the garden with mixed success. Actually I am pants at seed sowing anyway and the results were as I expected. But. Flowers have appeared this year which have surprised me. Some Higgledy Garden sown calendula have appeared and look great next to the blues of the lavender. In a pot I have some Californian poppies. Both orange and white. They can only be Mr Higgledy sown seeds too.

Dietes. Bottlebrush. Calendula/lavender and freesia

So I am about to order more of each. The Californian poppies – Eschscholzia californica – remind me of my parents garden. There was always a patch of these in the back garden which self seeded like crazy. I should be so lucky. If I recall I didn’t like the smell of them if you touched them. Thinking back my parents had some cool plants as I was growing up.

We were lucky to inherit some fruit trees, a couple of fig, a loquat and three pomegranate trees when we bought the house. This year the fig looks like only giving a poor crop. But they are delicious. If your around the day that they are ripe. All of them at the same time usually. The nispero are interesting. Big leaves. Small fruit that look bruised even before they come off the tree. I will collect them and probably make jam and remember to photograph them!

The almonds are plentiful this year – probably to end up in the kitchen cupboard with last years. The olive crop in 2018 was non existent. This year the trees are full of flower buds. So fingers crossed. The quince had one fruit on it last year. Yesterday I counted 28. Whether they will all stay the course is anyone’s guess. If they do there will be Quince jelly. Maybe even membrillo. If I’m adventurous. Two of the three pomegranates have never flowered. Last year one flowered and started to set fruit. But we had none so this year I’m taking my tickling stick [ a tiny paint brush ) out to the tree when the flowers open.

Orange blossom. Olive flowers. Pomegranate flower. Quince

Both orange trees are full of blossom and the scent as you pass by is absolutely amazing. These trees are only chest height and as I’m short ( short for my weight) you’ll realise that they aren’t that big. But we picked some of the last oranges this week to make a chocolate and orange cake.

The bank at the back of the house and the drive is one place full of colour. The rain has spurred the wildflowers and the yellow jasmine and the honeysuckle to flower like crazy. The yellow jasmine serves a purpose but as it has no scent it’s not one I’d probably plant is such a big area. But it looks good. The wildflowers are going strong. Along with the fennel which I’m cutting back like crazy.

The pelargonium I hacked early this year has started to flower again. I know I should have saved the cuttings. Next year. The grevillea stands at the gate. One is growing tall and elegant. Yet to flower properly. The other sits under a ball of privet – don’t say another word- and is full of flower. The white snowball viburnum – Viburnum opulus has started to flower but the heads are smaller this year and not as many. Maybe I cut it back at the wrong time.

When you look at the plants individually there is actually more colour than I thought. But spread across the garden. The white wall at this time of year is one of my favourites – Red geraniums and the scented pelargoniums both in flower at the same time.

Rain is forecast for the next three days. Then a period of decent sunshine which will bring the rest of the garden on in leaps and bounds. The dahlias I planted in pots as an experiment are doing well. The canna are a bit patchy so far. The colocasia black magic is yet to emerge but the colocasia mojito has three new leaves. Patience is a virtue. Not a virtue I have!

But wait I must. There is nothing Imcan do about the weather but wait and sit it out. Tomorrow’s another day. Another plant emerging. Another flower opening.

Posted on March 23, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 8 Comments

Six on Saturday – Spain again

The sun has been out. There has been little rain. And the flowers are running away with themselves.

You can tell it’s warming up and the sun is bright. Though early mornings and evenings are still chilly. But the succulents are starting to flower. These are on the dry bank and in a small circular bed under the olive tree. I forget their name and as I’m in a hurry to meet the Saturday deadline I’ll have to leave it there! .

The banksia rose is such a small delicate thing. But climbing through the jacaranda it’s lovely handing down with its small but pretty little roses. The bids are teeny tiny. And this year there are a lot of them.

Last year I had one quince on the quince tree. Just the one. This year the tree is in full flower so I am hopeful. The flowers start a deep pinkish as they are in tight bud and then open to this lovely pink.

We have two orange trees in the garden. One produced some decent oranges this year. The other none. But. And a big but. The blossom this year is amazing. Both trees are full of blossom and the bees are a buzzing. Hopefully like the quince we will get a good crop.

The bank and the campo are full of yellow. The mimosa is in full bloom now as is my hay fever. There is pollen everywhere. Sadly the trees are getting a bit straggly on our bank and will need to be cut back pretty hard after flowering.

I think the wild orchids we have at the back of the house are growing towards Oz this year. There are some leaves about but this time last year the flowers were out. Fingers are still crossed that they will flower. This is one from the banks of the access road to the house. There are also bee orchids suddenly showing their leaves.

Posted on March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 5 Comments

A tale of three gardens. Hola

It’s amazing how fast things grow when you turn your back on a garden. Weeds especially. I think we have the national collection of bind weed in Somerset.

I hadn’t done a winter clear as the ground had been too wet. We hadn’t been around much. And I’ve picked up a bit of mañana syndrome. But needs must and last weekend I knew I had to do one thing. Prune roses. They weren’t pruned last year at all. A fail I know but the year before was a good pruning. Especially as I had Mrs Shouty as a guide and mentor for pruning the apple trees and the roses. Mrs Shouty -= Sara Venn.

So I hacked the roses. Some are old. Some probably need to be replaced. I will review at the end of the summer to see what’s what after flowering. But I pruned. I got attacked by the curse of the thorns. I have had my tetanus jab.

I tidied up a bit – well I cut the perennials back to the ground and then the rain came. Lots of it. So it’s still there to be taken away. On top of the bind weed.

Yes. There is smoke. But it’s Ian burning paperwork. Old bills. There is a bonfire there ready to start next time. A great big bonfire.

We bought a mirabelle plum a few years ago. It has fruited. Now great at the beginning. Some years the frost got the blossom and there was little or no fruit. But they are delicious. This year there is blossom a plenty. But watching what ever storm was passing through on Saturday shaking the tree and scattering the blossom filled me with gloom. If it’s not the frost that gets the blossom it’s the wind. Hopefully there will be plenty of fruit this year.

There are benefits of leaving last years flowers through Autumn and Winter . The colour of this sedum is great. And I haven’t cut it back. Not yet anyway.

Oh. I was also distracted. By a dahlia talk at the local horticultural society.

It’s a different tale back in London. The only cutting back I’ve done is to the Melianthus major which was tall and leggy. So armed with information and a decent secateurs I cut it low. Fingers crossed I’ll get flowers.

The garden in London is different. It’s small. More a courtyard garden and is sheltered. We have a typical London micro climate. I still have geraniums flowering from last year and are gaining growth at a rate of knots.

The Bowles Mauve is budding up well and will soon have a lovely scent when it opens. It’s a solid little plant and does really well

I can’t believe we have blossom on the citrus in the garden. And lots of it. Hopefully a bit more sun. A bit more warmth and these lovely flowers will open and there will be an orange blossom scent above the chair. Not that I can sit and read there. It’s there for one reason. Well three reasons. It’s the cats chair. Well one of their chairs.

If I was surprised at the blossom I am even more surprised to see a couple of tiny small fruits developing. Fingers crossed they will get bigger. I’ve been out and poo’d my plants including the citrus. The first feed of 2019. Using Lous Poo – alpaca feed

There is growth on the clematis. Early I think but never the less welcome. It’s only in the last two years that it’s done well.

Ian’s not a gardener. But he knows what he likes. Tree ferns for example. It was Ian’s ides to have tree ferns in the garden. I didn’t expect to have 5. But we have and I love them. I need to feed these once I take out the straw from the crown!

But they have survived in the garden for about 12 years and last year I didn’t fleece them or put straw in the crown when the the beast of the east arrived suddenly. But they survived.

One of my plant loves is agapanthus and I’m lucky to have them in both the London garden and the one in Spain. Again they need a feed if I’m going to get a great big show off spectacle of flowers.

I have just bought agapanthus black Buddhist from Farmer Gracy for the Spanish garden which was delivered last week.

We have a lot of blue and white in the garden here and there. There and here depending where I am – but I’d like to introduce some different ones. The ones in the garden have self seeded here and there and spring up everywhere.

The tulips in the window boxes are through – I planted them late but are growing pretty fast. There are new colours this year. I didn’t grow any in Spain as the ones I tried last year were pants. That’s not a variety. It was the outcome.

The jasmine is almost to the top of the downpipe and is heavy with flower buds. You know those pinky red little buds that open to a fabulous white scented flower. Add a bit of Trachelospermum a bit later and you have a succession of scent. I lost one last year but the other two are doing ok. Add the scent of my straggly honeysuckle to next door’s rampant one poking over the fence and we have the summer scents sorted.

Spain is weeks ahead of London and Somerset. In Spain the jasmine is out already as the weather has warmed up. Though I see we have two weeks of rain coming. Last March was wet. Very wet. So far we have had a dry spell since October when the reservoirs filled to the top. Great for the garden. Great for the reservoir and our storage tank. But…..

The freesia are brilliant again this year. Bought from Peter Nyssen and shipped to Spain – they look and smell fantastic. I must try some in pots in London next.

It is such a contrast between the three gardens – which I will admit is one too many. Somerset is at the end of a season and the start of another. It needs a good cut back. London had a central city micro climate and its small and sheltered. There is no way I could grow tree ferns in Somerset or Spain.

Spain is obviously very different. Whilst we are 650 m above sea level in the cooler mountains the season is well under way with colour and scent in March already. Plus we have plenty of green with the agave dotted around the garden.

The almond blossom continues. Ours had been and gone and they were pretty heavy with flowers. The mimosa is starting to come out on our bank. In other gardens it’s over already. I’ve seen the leaves of the wild orchids poking through and the bee orchids in a neighbours garden. We had thought we may have lost some as we had

There’s enough to keep me going for now. There are lists. And lists of lists. My lists. Ian’s lists.

I have some more things to plant Colocasia Black Magic. Bessara elegans, Watsonia peach glow, Roscoea purpurea, Anomatheca laxa, Lycoris radiata to start and some Canna. These are for Spain and came from Farmer Gracy – great find.

I bought , on Ian’s instruction a big colocasia at the localmspsnish garden centre to add to the Mojhito that I bought last year.

Don’t tell Ian but I’ve got Canna on order from Todd’s botanics for London as well as some new white agapanthus.

There’s no peace for the wicked.

Posted on March 2, 2019March 2, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 5 Comments

Six on Saturday 2/3 Spain

The weather has been good this week. Some chilly nights and early mornings but the daytime temperatures have been good.

Things are suddenly shooting up and there are buds forming and new flowers opening. But we haven’t had any rain here in Andalucia for weeks. And there is only a drop forecast for next week. Which as we know can change daily.

The Strelitzia Reginae continue to delight. The one in a large pot has one open flower with four more in various stages. The ones planted in the garden are not as large and flower less frequently. This is one of those that is flowering now. There are a further four spikes in various plants to come so there should be a succession of flowers for a few months. They are such a beautiful flower. The Strelitzia Nicolai shows no sign of flowering yet. But that flower is not on a spike it just appears from the side of the plant.

We saw this Colocasia at the local garden centre stuck in a corner where we were getting a coffee. Asked if it was for sale. It was so home it came. For now it’s still in its pot on the terrace. But the leaves are large and very lovely. It may just stay there.

The flowers of the cistus have started to come out slowly this year. A lovely colour and they look like crepe paper. Eventually there will be seed heads. But for now I’ll enjoy the flowers!

Now I have to admit I’m not a huge lover of the Swiss cheese plant. We always had one of these and a rubber plant as houseplants as we were growing up. But this one is planted in the garden. It’s doing well so it can stay and I’m getting to like it more. There are massive ones in La Conception gardens in Malaga ( Botanical Gardens) which are growing in the shade. I don’t expect this one to get that big.

We have two orange trees in the garden. Last year one had no fruit. The other had a moderate crop. There is blossom on both trees this year. One more than the other but there are loads of gorgeous white flowers. The scent is already lovely but when the majority opens it will be awesome.

This one sadly isn’t mine. It’s a photo I took when we were at the beach yesterday. But we have three Foxtail Agave in the garden. Two in pots and one in the garden and they are a big favourite of mine. But I was instantly struck by the flower. I have seen them dotted around but haven’t be able to get this close to one. It’s simply stunning.

Posted on February 23, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 12 Comments

Six on Saturday 23/2

The garden here in Spain has a lot of Osteospermum. All brightly coloured and many which have self seeded. A welcome sight at this time of year.

I was at the garden centre locally this week to pick up some soil and compost to do some re potting and was about to pay for it when I saw a batch of Osteospermum that I hadn’t seen earlier in the week. And which caught my eye.

So As they are so very different to the ones I have in the garden already I just had to have them. Didn’t I?

They are now awaiting planting.

I understand that when they self seed as no doubt they will do they will not seed true to the existing colour. But hey. As long as I keep the originals going I’ll be happy!

Posted on February 22, 2019February 22, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 3 Comments

Warm days. Cold nights.

Well there’s still no sign of rain. Heavy downpours were forecast for Monday. Was I excited? You bet. Something I’d never have thought would get me so excited. Rain. So I didn’t water the new plants Why waste an expensive commodity when it was going to chuck it down for free. Cats and dogs. Wet rain.

But guess what? We didn’t even have a drop. Nothing. A heavy dew. But the only thing that was wet was my bottom as I sat on the chair to have my morning coffee.

The early mornings are chilly. As are the evenings. Late afternoon has been lovely and a great time to get out and do. Things have started to move with a vengeance. Not me obviously. That’s more snail like.

So I watered. Not a lot. The ground is still wet if you poke around a bit. It surprises me what I see for the first time when casually throwing a bit of water about. Like this Dietes grandiflora – fairy iris. I planted two at the end of the summer and there have been flowers on and off since. This is a new one I planted after Christmas and it’s flowering. Well. I say flowering = there is one flower and another in bud. But it’s a pretty little thing.

I’m cutting the oleander back a bit. It’s grown quite tall and I have cut some of it back quite hard. ( hacked actually). But it will grow back again quickly. Careful when pruning as it’s another poisonous plant. But one or two still had their glorious seed heads or is it pods? They are pretty gorgeous. Not every variety in the garden has them. I know not why.

Talking seed heads – here’s one on the Jacaranda. I have a love/hate relationship with this tree. It’s too large and needs to be cut back. Not by me. But a professional. But this season it’s not lost its leaves. So it hasn’t been done. It still has some of its seed heads on the tree and they are a bit spooky. Whilst I love both the seed head and the flowers it’s the flowers that drive me insane. Gorgeous blue colour. Which don’t last that long and end up all over the ground. I can spend hours sweeping the path – I know. I need the exercise.

I love a bit of scent in the garden. I’m a sucker for freesia and planted a load last year which were brilliant. Tall strong stems. Gorgeous colours and a brilliant perfume. I planted more this year and they are going great guns.

I found a large aspidistra down on the coast. Not literally but at the garden centre. They use these a lot in the inner courtyards so I thought I have a bit of a shady spot on the terrace. So I did. We stayed in a lovely hotel in Seville and they had them in their open area in the centre of the building. That got me hooked. I need to sort the pot.

We have had the big ferns in plastic pots. I’ve wanted to repot them but finding pots we both likes proved difficult. We found these and bought them. We then realised we needed two more. Off we trotted to the coast. Again. I said we had the light option. Ian said that we bought the darker. It was only yesterday he said. I know but the two colours aren’t miles apart. He said the darker. I said the lighter so we went for the lighter. Got them home and it was the darker. Never mind. They will do as I’m not going round the mountain once again. .

There are a number of succulents in the garden. No matter how many times I look up theirs names I can never remember what I’ve been told.

This is one – a pretty orange. Looks a bit like lipsticks. But they will open in the sun. But try and get a decent picture when they open. I tried. And failed.

The bank on the access road has a number of trees, last year I was having an afternoon cuppa with the neighbours and we looked up to see what looked like smoke. So off we went to investigate. It was the pollen on the plants being blown away by the wind. So no smoke. But hay fever instead.

The citron buddhas hand is still hanging in there. Literally. There are a fair few new flowers about to open. But the fruit hasn’t been setting on the older flowers. I need to consult my citrus book.

The alliums I planted are all coming through. The allium summer drummer is running away with itself. I’m glad I planted more this year. This isn’t summer drummer. It’s either a white or globe master. Or maybe it’s…. I know. I said I’d label better.

I love a bit of scent in the garden and I love jasmine. White. Perfumed. We also have a jasmine azoricum which has the sweetest scent.

Jasmine

It’s not been all gardening. Don’t ask. It’s been a bit of a week. But I managed to get out for a walk along the road close to la Casa. Some interesting things to see. I should do it more.

There is a lot of Daucs carota about in flowering season. Now the ones that remain have been dried and look fantastic.

There are almond trees along the road and are in various stages of bloom. Surprisingly some have almonds forming already. The three I have in our garden are still flowering. Nowhere near having any almonds form. I’m hoping this years crop is better than last.

Almond blossom

it’s interesting to see what’s about. These lovely stone walls are fantastic.

Sadly my crop of olives equalled one. Yes. One olive. Last year I had enough to make a few jars of salt cured olives. Well this year I can put the one single olive on a cocktail stick and saunter to the open fire to warm my cold bones. And eat my one olive.

There’s nothing like a bit of Mimosa. There are two or three types around us here. This was in a garden on my walk. Again a bit of flower envy as our mimosa is still In tight tight buds. But when it opens then bank will be awash with yellow. Another that needs pruning after flowering. It’s a straggly tree.

We have also been to the coast. Up and down the wiggly road. In Nerja there are fantastic agaves along the beach. With tall elegant flower spikes. Which a friend said that looked like giant asparagus. Another says they look rude. Whatever they look like they look magnificent.

I also have plant envy. So much I bought another one for the garden. A friend bought one for us back last year. It’s still alive. But not doing much. So I bought one for a bit of instant colour. That did well. But now it’s looking a bit sad. Not like this one in Nerja. This is the one that got me started.

There is still so much to so. Hacking the pomegranate for one. Tomorrow’s another day.

Posted on January 28, 2019 by happyretiredblog · 1 Comment

The start of a new gardening year – Spain

It’s nearly two years now since we viewed the garden. Sorry. I mean viewed La Casa. Bit of a slip of the tongue there. My second January in the garden. I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone but I put it down to losing that hour every time I return to the UK.

What is good is the ability now to look back on last years posts and see where we are now to where we were then. Some things are further ahead. Some are way behind. The Orange blossom is later. It’s only now starting to bud. This time last year it was out.

One or two losses. A couple of mistakes.

We had rains in October and November in 2018 but none in the same period in 2017. The major rain in 2018 was in the Spring.

The one thing that the autumn rain did ( other than a welcome filling of the reservoirs ) was to make bulb planting easier! Last year I needed a pick axe to plant my bulbs. No. I’m serous the ground was that solid. I realised why there was a pick axe in the garage.

But the alliums are all planted. I lie. There are a few I forgot and I’m going to plant them anyway. As they say in Spain. Mañana.

So I’m back a la Casa and there’s work to be done. The weeds won’t weed themselves. The terrace won’t sweep itself and I need to check on what’s doing well. What I need to move and replace. Hopefully not a lot as getting my motivation going at the moment is like kick starting a jumbo jet.

But there will be lists. Ian’s lists for me to do. My lists for me to do. Lists to remind me of the lists.

One of the joys of this time of year is the Australian wisteria climbing over the garden entrance. It’s such a fabulous colour and is in full flower now. A pretty vigorous grower, loved by bees and is a welcome sight to greet you as you arrive.

I’m going to try one in the garden in London. Typically a conservatory plant in the UK, our garden is quite sheltered and has a bit of a micro climate. So I can but try.

I think I am also going to try and get a dodonea for London as well. Pretty insignificant spring flowers but the leaf colouring is great. Self seeds quite a bit but I’ve had no luck in transplanting them when they have grown big enough to move. But I think worth growing for the colour. Not sure how it will do in a pot. But. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. It will give some great colour to the garden. Now to find a supplier in the UK.

I’ve had severe almond blossom envy. Wherever you drive in the campo here you see glorious displays of almond blossom. Masses of gorgeous blossom which has survived the recent high winds. It seems glued on.

There is the white blossom. And the pink one. Now don’t ask me the difference as I don’t know. Other than the colour obviously. Ours is the less showey kind. But still lovely. Still a bit jealous of the neighbours trees though as they have the gorgeous white.

Last year the almond crop was pants. Not a huge crop and it’s a faff to extract the nut and then dry them. But it is worth it to get fresh almonds from the garden. Next job is to crack them open.

I have a love/hate relationship with bougainvillea. I love the one my neighbour has in their garden. Draping itself seductively over the wall. I hate ours. Not all the time. This visit there is one lovely flower display. So I look at it and think. Lovely colour. Lovely flower. Yep. You have been let off. You can stay.

But this ones not a great show off of a plant. Which is what I want it to be against the white of the garage wall. We will see. It’s reprieved for now. I have looked at a similar picture for last year. Taken a week earlier and cried. It was better last year.

Golden Mimosa

Talking of envy this golden mimosa is growing in our neighbours garden. We have a couple of mimosa trees on the bank of the florist type. You know the type Small round flower heads full of pollen. A hay fever sufferers nightmare. Last year I thought there was a fire on the bank. Clouds of smoke every now and again wafting in the air. I then realised it was pollen off the mimosa in the wind.

Ours is later than this one but should be flowering in about two to three weeks and is currently full of buds. The trees are tall and spindly and could do with a cut back. So cut back they will after flowering. And after I get a chance to pick some to bring indoors.

Freesia

Two years ago when we were looking for a house here we stayed at a fab B&B. Out walking on the second day we passed a house which had freesias growing in the garden. My parents had a few pots back in the 80’s and I loved the perfume of them.

Every time we walked past these it threw back memories of my parents garden. So I knew I had to have some if we bought a place in Spain. So I did. I planted them for the spring of 2018 and they were amazing. Long stems. Colourful flowers. Amazing scent . What more could you ask for? How about asking for more for 2019 spring. So at the moment I have last years flowering again. Whilst this years are running away with themselves so I will have the scent of them for a while yet.

Colcososia mojito

The leaves may look a bit scraggy but let me tell you. They are amazing. Colocasia mojito. Soft silky leaves. Large leaves. So far so good. I have ordered colocasia black magic for the same bed. That looks gorgeous too.

I love this agave. Foxtail agave – whose flower is said to look like a fox’s tail when it flowers. It was here when we bought the house and as it’s in a pot it’s easy to move around to different places on the terrace. I haven’t told Ian but there’s a massive one down at the garden centre.

Would look great on our terrace. I might have to drop by with him when he arrives next week.

Prickly pear

I have wittered on about this prickly pear all of last year as I was trying to save it. One of two in the garden that I am trying to save from the cochineal fly. The others on the bank are ravaged but I have noticed one today that I may try and keep going.

We have a wood burner here which is unlike any other I have seen. Let alone used. Fitted in the wall all you see is the glass front. Easy to light. It has a built in electric fan run and also heats the main bedroom via a warm air vent. And it works. Very well indeed. We were running out of wood so we had a delivery on Wednesday afternoon. I say we but mean Me as I am here solo for a week. I’m never happier than when we are fully stocked up on logs.

I can now get snowed in ( unlikely) and be warm. But first I had to tidy the garage and beat a path to the log store. Which I did and then opened the window. I have to explain that the window is rarely opened, and I never stand and stare out of the window. But I should. The view up the garden to the terrace is great. Even if I say so myself. Down wind isn’t so shabby either.

No. It’s not rain. This path later in the year will get stained from the jacaranda flowers.Gorgeous blue flowers. When on the tree. A nightmare on the floor. This time of the year it’s bird poo. I can’t remember as many birds in the garden last year. But there are plenty of visitors though largely unseen but you can hear them. Their chatter. And the rustle in the bushes. Well I hope it’s the birds. The horrible tree rat lives in another part of the garden. His favourite past time is chewing the irrigation system.

We have three pine trees on the bank at the side of the house. Gorgeous trees. Great providers of pine cones for starting the wood burner. But at this time of year I’m extra vigilant for the nest of the processionary caterpillars. Nasty little blighters and there is no way I will deal with them. So I find a man that can. And will. And does. For a price.

Sometimes there are things that can get boring. Me and strelitzia is one. Every time I come back to la Casa after being away for a few weeks I’m straight out and counting the flower spikes.

The bigger excitement is the sight of flowers on the strelitzia Nicolai. We have two plants in the garden. One has flowers. The other doesn’t. I say flowers plural. Last year there were two but boy they are so lovely. Fingers crossed for this year.

Oh. There are 10 spikes on the various Strelitzia Reginae . In case you wanted to know.

The yellow tree is jacaranda. It’s too big and needs cutting back but the leaves haven’t dropped which is surprising. Usually at this time of year it’s bare so I think it will be another year before we can prune. Last years seeds are everywhere, funny looking things. Almost alien.

Now this may not excite you as much as it does me. But excited I am. The stirrings of the wild orchids on the bank. Not many. But a few and it’s great seeing then coming back again. My neighbour has gorgeous bee orchids. Jealous. Me. Never.

This cape honeysuckle has flowered all year but it is at the back of la Casa and is rarely seen. It’s supposed to be a scrambling plant but where it is it has nothing to scramble over. But it’s healthy and flowering albeit randomly . So if it ain’t broke don’t fix it and it’s attractive to bees and butterflies. So as I don’t have anywhere to move it too and it’s doing no harm it can stay.

It’s been a few days of moving things about to warmer spots. The citron buddhas hand has been moved from a windy corner. Again in a pot it’s easy to move around. It has flowered well. Started to set fruit but then the fruits have gone brown. So I head to my citrus book for answers.

My surprise purchase at the garden centre this week. Hollyhocks. Small plants but I’ve been wanted some since buying the house. Why? There are some lovely plants with gorgeous flowers growing on the road to the house. Which surprised me. One massive plant at the garden centre which grows every year. So I will plant them and see how they do.

I first saw Melianthus major at an open garden in Clapham. Then I saw it in the little gardens I walk through to the station in Peckham. So last year when I saw it for sale here I bought one. I’m pleased to say its doing great.

So I have a few days in the garden before Ian arrives. The irrigation to fix. Stuff I’ve cut back to move. I was cutting back the oleander last night as the sun went down. I always have my phone with me. Especially if I’m working on the bank. So I was lucky to get a snap of the colours of the pine needles on the bank as the sun went down. The needles look like they were on fire.

Oh. I’ve just remembered. I have a couple of plants to go in before Ian arrives! Best get on.

Posted on November 6, 2018December 30, 2018 by happyretiredblog · 1 Comment

The beginnings of Autumn España

Last year we had little or no rain right through Autumn and most of Winter. Until the heavens opened in March. Boy did it rain. But it filled the reservoirs.

We are still in October as I start to write this and the heavens have opened already. For more days than I’d like. Yes. We need rain. For the garden. For the reservoirs. To enable me to plant. Which I have. A lot. But give us a break. It’s been running down the streets. Towns have been flooded. Oh. So has Venice!

At least the garden looks lush and green. There’s a second flush of some of the flowers. Everything smells fresh and lovely. The birds are singing. So am I. But badly.

After a log hot summer and a dry one it’s wonderful to see the colours again. It’s amazing how quickly things recover.

I think that I may need to fleece the banana. Just in case. Usually we don’t get a frost even though we are 650m above sea level. What’s a bigger problem is the wind. It shreds the huge leaves of the strelitzia – but they are huge.

When we first saw the house I loved the lavender path. A curved path leading from the gate to the house and the terrace. The scent and the buzz of the bees sold me the house. Literally. Ian said ‘ you don’t even need to see the house do you?’ You know what. He was pretty much right. But the lavender was a bit woody in parts and I decided to replant at some stage and nearly 18 months later it’s done. 28 new lavender plants. Ordered. Delivered and planted.

The planting along the path

The replanted lavender path

As I was having the plants, compost and some feed delivered I was tempted to buy a decent sized cyclad. So I did. Convinced myself that it could form part of Ian’s birthday present. So it’s planted. I didn’t make the silly mistake I made when we first bought the house and ask if the pot was frost proof!

There continues to be colour dotted around the garden with the Lantana which there are three different colours. This one I hacked back as it was ‘if it grows it grows’ If not it’s goodbye. It’s grown.

The nispero /loquat is in flower. I thought it was early but I checked with last years photos and it’s roughly a similar time. Nispero are a bit of a messy fruit. Doesn’t travel or store well and this years crop was pretty rubbish.

This has been my favourite flower this year. By far. I’d almost given up as they started to flower as I left for two weeks. But they were still flowering when I arrived back and continued through the next three weeks. I suspect they will be over when I get back.

I’m going to order more. The only downside is that the flowers hang down and you don’t easily see the flowers beauty. But boy are they beautiful.

The border on the bank

I love this border. It’s at the base of the steep slope and is a real mix. Rosemary sits with bottle brush and lantana. With succulents my favourite agave. The foxtail agave. The rosemary is getting woody. Maybe time for replanting but not just yet.

I bought 10 new agapanthus in the sale at the end of July and have finally planted them. Five in pots to go along the white wall of la Casa. The other five – the white ones planted in a border. I’ll add some alliums to that border. Which reminds me to put it on my list. Bulb planting. Now we have had copious amounts of rain the ground is more workable. Plus we are having some top soil delivered this week. The soil is thin in parts. And poor. I’d like to be thin in parts too. Butbulb planting isn’t my favourite thing to do.

I have been staggered at the number of flower spikes the potted strelitzia has given us. It continues with the Autumn flush. There are another 4 spikes growing which will keep us with flowers until beyond Xmas. The ones planted in the garden don’t do so well. There are flower spikes but not as prolific as this one. I have replanted two into a pot. Let’s see how they perform.

I just wish the black/blue and white strelitzia Nicolai would have a second coming. I’ve been told to divide the two we have in the garden. I’m a bit nervous of doing that. I also need to see where they can be planted if I do.

These seed heads are gorgeous. But the tree is massive and will feature in the pruning exercise to be undertaken in January 2019. It May mean less flowers in 2019 but needs must. It’s just too tall next to the house.

Pineapple guava fruit

The pineapple guava are getting bigger. Will be some to eat when I return. I’ll let you know if I still like them.

Yes. It’s a citrus. A lemon. Citrus Buddha’s hand. Pretty rubbish for the kitchen if you want juice. As there isn’t any. No pulp either. But a fragrant fruit – a lavender scent with a lemon taste, the pith is used for cooking for drinks and the white pith isn’t bitter. So you can just cut off the fingers and use them in salads. That’s a whole new take on finger food.

A present for us from a friend who was staying for the week. A bit of a talking point already. Not her staying but the plant as you walk into the garden.

I only went into the garden centre to pick up a couple more lavender to fill in some gaps. Lucky for me there had been a delivery of plants. Come and have a look at what we have says Lorraine Cavannagh the owner. So I did. Delivery no 2 then.

This Colocasia ‘mojito’ was sat there. Waving it’s big silky leaves at me. So I had to. Didn’t I? It’s a beaut and I had the perfect place for it.

Colocasia ‘Mojito’

Busy bee

So I return this week after two weeks in London. There has been rain. Sun. Rain. Colder days and nights. More sun. So it will be interesting to see how the garden has fared.

Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll tell you!

Posted on October 27, 2018 by happyretiredblog · 1 Comment

Six on Saturday. Espana

A new purchase. Citron Buddhas hand. A spooky little lemon! No pulp. No juice. Seedless. But a very fragrant pith. The white pith isn’t bitter so you can just cut it and use it in drinks. Salads. And is traditionally used for candied peel. Smells of violets. Tastes of lemons.

With a little bit of rain – well a huge amount there is a second flush of flowers in the garden. The Salvia Leucantha is Hibiscus moscheutis flowering again and is a lovely colour. Looks a bit like a caterpillar. Even better with a bee on it.

I couldn’t resist this at the garden centre this week. Colocasia Mojito elephants ears. The leaves are fantastic. And feel a bit silky. I have found a place in the garden for it already.

The pineapple guava are getting bigger. Will be ready to eat next month. A good crop on two small trees.

The changing colours of the the Hibiscus moscheutis. The flowers were huge this summer. The leaves slowly falling.

A new addition to the garden. A new cycad. A bit prickly to pot. Slow growing but a great architectural plant.