Some beauties from this summer

 

The plum and nectarine are in the picture to indicate the size of the Cox's Orange Pippin apple, the one and only fruit on the tree I planted over ten years ago.  I have harvested a few fruits in previous summers but this year this one fruit remained and I decided to pick it before the birds get it.  It has a lovely acidic flavour, and not a single grub in it.  It is too close to my big gum tree and I will try to heap it with cow manure to help the tree to strengthen and hopefully grow more fruits next season.

This potted chestnut tree is well over ten years old.  My son Caley planted a chestnut in a pot and when it grew it was his to look after.  He has his own garden now but at the moment he feels this sort of bonsai might be safer in my garden.  This autumn I shall repot it, in the same size pot, so the roots could be trimmed.  It is a beautiful specimen.

I managed to harvest enough flat peaches to share amongst my family members.  I first came across the flat or doughnut peach in France in 2007.  When I purchased my house in 2008 I asked a small nursery in Northcote if it would be possible to get a flat peach plant.  I was thrilled when the owner, a friendly lady got one for me.  It is a small tree and I shall pamper it for better harvest next summer.

The jacaranda season is well over but a couple of months ago I had the pleasure of enjoying these flowers from my lounge room.

Pelargonium or geranium.  Never mind the name but this beauty provides colours in my garden in summer.  I give away cuttings.  I bought the plant so many years ago because of the attractive colours.

Strange summer weather

 

My front garden is looking green, thank goodness.  I can remember some summers in the past when the lawn is beige and the plants look tired from not enough water.  Not this summer though.  There has not been a lot of rain but we have not had the heat of summer, which slows down fruit ripening.  

In the back the tree ferns have not lost their foliage.  This tree fern is the lowest of the three and it provides shade for the begonia.

This large hydrangea bush comes up halfway of the bathroom window.  It loves the shady east facing side and hides the hot water tank from view, from the front.

A beautiful dahlia with more buds appearing.

The Cape violet, together with pink petunia, begonia and fern, decorate the front porch.

Some potted beauties, zinnia and marigold.  In the background is a healthy curry leaf plant.

White hibiscus and pink rose.

For the kitchen, a potted chilli plant and next to it a tomato bush.