Buds are swelling, and the Iris’s leaves are starting to raise above the corms. The Lillies are pushing their heads up through the soil, and the Peonies’ tiny cerise shoots are appearing.
Rainfall has morphed the monochrome Winter scene into a cool palette with pops of colour. The Freesia’s are on show, and just like a lead ballerina, they dance and turn in the chill wind.
Soon I will be planting out the Dahlias. Their large brown tubers hold the promise of vibrant colour and infinite flower types. The vibrancy of the colours, if matched by the sunlight angles and amount of sun that they receive, will show them off to best advantage. I do admire the English cottage garden, but that is only possible in some areas that don’t receive as much sun.
The Pukeko’s have plucked most of my seedlings out. Those that remain, will be the future of the next generations. Thankfully, my Hydrangeas have been left alone, as I have been so looking forward to seeing the flowers on some of the Japanese varieties I planted last year. I have a wide variety of Macrophylla, as well as Paniculata, Quercifolia, and Serrata
The Proteas are all but over, but some Kings remain. Their giant pink conical buds unfurl, and then unwrap, above their huge leathery leaves.
I look forward to celebrating the Summer harvest with you.