Thursday 26 July 2007

FIRST TIMERS AND A THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Anyone would would think that one of my ferns had turned rusty with all the rain we've had this summer......
In fact these are the spores which turn brown as they ripen and drop off like dust.


I've never tried to grow a fern from spores...hygiene is really important...at least so I've read...yet Mother Nature manages to do it with no sterilising equipment.

I was really surprised to see that my Spider Lily (Hymenocallis occidentalis) has flowered again. It had already bloomed this year indoors during the Spring and I'd stood it outside to die down and build up strength for next year!I'm really excited to see that two of the Ginger Lilies are starting to form buds....... there are some very important memories attached to these longed for plants (see this post), I know how thrilled Mick would have been to see these buds and I know I'll shed a few tears when I see them in flower.

Another "first time in flower" is our Black Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus); I think last year's sun must be the reason for this as we certainly haven't had much sun this Summer.

This Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata) in the pond has never flowered before either.......it's certainly been a year for "first timers"!
In my "catch up" post on Monday I said that the yellow crocosmia (monbretia) still hadn't flowered..well lo and behold........

if my memory serves me well this particular one was Crocosmia 'George Davidson'.

Our garden is primarily made up of hardy perennials but I do have a fair few "tenders" which as I use as annuals and never bother to take cuttings of. Nowadays petunias, verbenas etc are so cheap to buy as small plants (unless you want a specialised variety) that it's not worth the cost of heating to keep them going through the winter; plus of course where would I find the room! Earlier this year I bought a few single and double petunias they were tiny plants but I grew them on and the following two have really caught my eye.....I tried so hard to get a decent photo of this butterfly; I think it's a female Holly Blue...she certainly had me cavorting round the garden and finally settled on some Lamium .....I couldn't get close enough for a good photo before she flew away over the wall............chasing butterflies is good exercise!!!!!Now I know that some of you have allotments and large vegetable patches so you'll probably not think much of this first small harvest from my Hestia Runner Beans...but they were enough for a single portion and tasted really good.......lots more on there way as well!!! Now I haven't forgotten it's Thursday.............
a thought for Thursday




AREN'T THE "GOOD THINGS THAT COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT" JUST THE LEFTOVERS FROM THE PEOPLE THAT GOT THERE FIRST???

17 comments:

Libbys Blog said...

Not necessarily!!! lol!!!

Love the garden pics by the way!!

A wildlife gardener said...

What an amazing variety of unusual plants you have there, Ruth :) I have never seen a spider lily before, or a ginger lily...love the amazing fern and two-toned petunia.... and the blue butterfly is sooo magical to have visiting your garden.

Bob said...

Hi Ruth, I don't think it matters what your beans look like as long as they are tasty and at least you know what went in to making them. Bob.

Akelamalu said...

I love pictures of the plants in your garden Ruth - they're beautiful.

Audrey said...

LOL Ruth, my dog honey was the leftover from a litter of pups because of her funny eye...makes her all the more special..

Your garden is beautiful, the colours and varieties and there is nothing quite like home grown, it brings back memories of visits to my gran who was an avid gardener and her fresh veg and fruits

mrsnesbitt said...

I agree with the post! LOL!
Or those with the strongest elbows! LOL!

Nicole said...

I love seeing all the beautiful flowers. The petunias reminded me of my flower press. They dry really well.

Shaz said...

Your crop o beans is bigger than my crop of "6" Strawberries! We've had a garden clean up this week but wished we had more lowering plants. Your garden is amazing considering the rain x x x

jmb said...

Hi Ruth,
Lovely photos as usual of your garden. I am always amazed at how much you have going on in your comparatively small space.
Have a nice visit with your daughter and son-in-law and Max, my double.
regards
jmb

Annie said...

Ah, all those flower photos were good things that came to me after I waited to get on the computer today. Thank you, Ruth. I love the pickeral plant bloom. Annie

Anonymous said...

stunning flowers and photos - and wonderful memories - its all looking gorgeous - and yes Mick would be so proud of all your achievements - not just in the garden.

I am sure he will always be there with you.

david mcmahon said...

G'day from Australia, Ruth,

I think this is my second visit to your (many) blogs this week. Mrs Nesbitt saw a gardening post (how to prune roses) on my blog and told me I simply had to visit this site.

On a life-affirming note, you might enjoy the shot of melting frost on a rose that I posted about 10 or so days ago - and the revelation that it always flowers (despite being bitter winter here in Australia) on a special day each year.

Won't reveal too much at this stage ....

Cheers

David

Mark said...

Hi Ruth,
I'm with you one the butterfly chasing, you certainly get a good run around...

Cheers Mark

Dirty Fingernails said...

we have a three legged cat, that we just love to death.. He is treated no different than the other "normal" cats.. Some of the best pets are the oddball ones.

genuisscuffy said...

Just a little thank you for what you wrote in my blog - its means a lot when even people you've never met say such nice things.
I've just had my first harvest of Hestia runner beans - not bad were they - enough for a dinner!

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Our mint has gone all brown and dreary looking, and our Jacob's Ladder just completely wilted suddenly. One day fine, next day gone.

Some of the plants are really enjoying the wet weather, getting bigger than ever. Others just can't handle it, it seems.

:@o

MrBrownThumb said...

Ruth,

You sure got a lot of blooms. Congrats on the reblooming bulb.

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