The colour orange

Nasturtiums used to grow prolifically in my garden but this summer of heat and little rain is not conducive to spreading this thirsty plants.  Still I have a few, giving me orange flowers.  Another beautiful orange in my garden is the heritage pumpkin.  It is still on the vine and growing and I will pick it when the stalk withers.  See picture below and marvel at the orangeness of it.

The naked lily

In different parts of my garden the buds of the naked lily or the Belladona, shot through with the help of  watering on my part.  The bulbs look dead but once they are watered they send out the flower buds.  The leaves will appear later.

Whilst these flowers are just opening there are others that are on their way out.

The flowers and buds as well as a peep from a salmon pink canna.

hydrangea

There was a bit of rain this evening which should revive the hydrangeas.  The pink hydrangeas along the fence have been kept alive with watering but a few heads were scorched by the few days of intense heat we have been having.

This blue hydrangea too has suffered some scorching but the bush, about my height, is doing well.  It is in a North east facing position and must love it there.

A typical February garden

The lawn is brown, with patches of green close to the edge of the garden beds.  With hardly any rain this summer is looking like many summers ago when we had the drought that saw us collecting every bit of waste water to keep our garden growing.  I have enough green in my garden to calm the eyes but I have to look around for the colourful flowers which are dispersed all over the place.  There are a few of them but not enough to pick for a beautiful display.

Even the bougainvillea is affected by the heat, some of the flowers parched dry into paper thin petals which I felt the need to remove.

The hibiscus plant is tall and lanky but it sends out flowers, one at a time.  I may need to enrich the soil to encourage more growth.

Geraniums do not need much looking after but for an abundance of flowers the plants must be fed and watered, which I am inclined to forget to do.  This pink climber gives out a few flowers at a time.

This white geranium would be more prolific if it were in a more sunny spot.

A brilliant red pelargonium and would make beautiful pot plants if I spend more time on them.

The lavender brings the bees and refreshes the mind with its fragrance.

small harvest

The harvest has been small so far.  Perhaps it is the absence of rain (one tank is empty) that is slowing growth.  By this time last year I was picking loads of vegetables but it's mainly hard work and little reward this season.  Still, it is good to pop a small tomato before watering and picking fresh basils for pesto.  I will plod on in the garden and keep it alive and will not give up on growing vegetables.

petunia

The petunia is grown for effect as it can produce an abundance of flowers in summer to create a pleasing showiness.  My regret this summer is that I did not buy more seedlings to spread all over the garden.  This water loving plant will do well for as long as there is enough water and sunshine.

Another variation to the red and white hues.

In deep purple.

Flat peach

The flat peach tree is barely a metre tall and I intend to keep it low.  This is the fruit in October, developing very nicely.  The tree is now under netting as there are enough hungry creatures ready to plunder my precious fruits.

The peach looks ready but it is still firm.  There are enough fruits for the family and I hope they will ripen beautifully.  The flesh is white, sweet and juicy.

Fortunately the tree did not suffer the curl leaf blight, which affected the big peach tree.  Looking after fruit trees is just as demanding as bringing up children.