bird of paradise

Bird of paradise is the common name of the strelitzia which is also sometimes referred to as the crane flower.  The flower does look like a bird of paradise.  It is strange that this tropical plant is flowering in winter but its beauty is most welcome now when the sky is usually grey.  This clump grows against the north facing wall of the house, a most suitable position.

Chilli and bok choi

You would think this chilli bush would have wilted with the cold weather we have been getting, but no.  I have been picking this hot bird's eye chillies when required rather than have them sitting in the fridge.  There are green chillies waiting to ripen.  The bush is a splash of colours, starting with the very young fruit starting as shiny black and then turning green as it gets bigger and finally the fiery red.  I hope this bush will keep me in chillies through the winter months.

What could be nicer than stir-fried bok choi, freshly picked?  I grew these bok choi from seedlings as I was too lazy to start from seeds.  They have been doing very well and I have to remember to purchase more seedlings.  Bok choi self sow quite easily and I have found a few seedlings coming up from seeds from the previous season.  I had left a couple of plants to go to seed and did not get around to collecting the seeds and they had looked after themselves.