18 April 2014

A little time in the garden...

When the heat of summer is happening, I have a habit of shirking some garden duties. I take a step back and tend to the most necessary only, and top of the list has to be, watering. 

Even that becomes arduous, when even the end of day is still hot, while stepping in and out constantly to change sprinkler lines, some hosing, or filling watering cans for potteds.   I'm often a candidate too for mosquitoes :(.  Once I hear/feel a couple of mozzies, I call it quits!  The end of day-light starts waning, and those areas that didn't get watered, will get done early the next morning.  

 Beatrice Emily


Over a couple of weeks there were many overcast and generally wet days, and sometimes with showers overnight as well.  So good for the garden.  It's heartening to know that EVERYTHING gets a drink, and not just the pockets where the sprinklers reach. 

 Jennifer Susan



This past week the weather has cleared to blue skies and sunny days with moderate temperatures; making it perfect for spending time outdoors, especially in the garden, and catching up.  

It is Camellia time!  These are each Sasanqua Camellia types, happening now, as I write, in my back gardens.  

Over the past couple years, these gardens have had big changes; renovations I guess.  Thirteen advanced Tibouchinas were cut out, and replaced with Camellias, which are still in tiny stage just yet, but flowering none the less.

Also I said goodbye to the seven tall Tree Ferns down one side garden, since the heat of summer constantly gave them a hard time; burning the fronds into oblivion.  They used to offer a lovely overhead shelter in Summer to the Hydrangeas underneath them, so eventually the Hydrangeas went too.  What's there now?  More Camellias!



I didn't think I'd ever resort to this tactic, since I choose not to use sprays .. but I relented recently and bought a pump-sprayer and glyphosate, to help combat a very persistant creepy creeping weed that I've been fighting a useless battle with hand-weeding for way too long.  It was time to make a stand and get out the big guns!

It no doubt has a name too, but I don't know all the weeds by name...and if I was to make a name for it, it wouldn't be printable :).


Yuletide

Where I couldn't spray close to the base of plants and shrubs, I knew I could come back to those and hand-weed still.  The promise that zillions of seeds would be zapped into sterility, was energizing! 

Eventually I may will, combat this rotten, creepy creeping, no-name weed.  


25 comments:

Bob Bushell said...

A lovely day at home in the garden, filled with flowers, good day Carole.

EG CameraGirl said...

Wish I could grow camellias here! They are such lovely blossoms!

Montanagirl said...

Lovely! I like that you caught a little ant on the one bloom photo.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Lovely Camellias Carole. Enjoy your garden.

Irma said...

A lovely day in the garden, Carole.
The flowers are beautiful, and very well photographed.
Greetings Irma

DeniseinVA said...

Your camellias are gorgeous Carole, such a lovely variety, so many pretty colors. Happy Weekend to you :)

Unknown said...

These are all absolutely gorgeous! Happy Easter Carole!

Lisa Gordon said...

Carole, the Camellia are just GORGEOUS!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

Gorgeous blooms!! so pretty. ( :

Unknown said...

Happy gardening Carole, your camellias are gorgeous :).

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean about mosquitoes - am not fond of them either. I noticed that )at least here in California) they are more prone to come right before dusk falls. I LOVE your capture of Beatrice Emily - makes me want to paint this flower:)

Anonymous said...

One of my favourite flowers! Beautiful pics.

diane b said...

Your attitude towards summer gardening is the same as mine. I have just started getting out there to clean up overgrown paths. My camellias are not in bloom yet. Yours are beautiful.

Sue (this n that) said...

Beautiful Camellias - they produce such gorgeous blooms and are so tough.
I agree at how dispirited tree ferns can look when they've been heat blasted. So sad, but the way the weather is going, it's the survival of the fittest and changes have to be made.
Gardening with some strong sprays is essential at times. Those determined weeds can take hold and get too out of hand.
This is a beaut blog too Carole :D)

Anonymous said...

Lovely flowers. I liked the name of the yuletide. It must be derived from the swedish Juletid (time of Christmas). :)

betty-NZ said...

I am loving your camellias! The colors are so bright and cheery. I can't wait until ours bloom--another 5 or 6 months.

Laura said...

Your camellias are gorgeous! Great photos of them too!!!
So nice that the rain came to water these and other growing things in your garden! So nice to be able to look back at your photos with remembrance!! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Laura

Unknown said...

Lovely camellias Carole, mine are not flowering yet, plenty of buds so I know the show is still on its way. Sometimes there is just no choice but to bring out the big guns to fight those weeds, Just remember, he who laughs last, laughs best.

Anonymous said...

Camellias are one of my favourite flowers. Thanks for visiting.

fim.works said...

Thanks for your lovely Pictures an visiting me ... all the long, long way to Germany ;-)
Happy Easter ... Frauke

Linda W. said...

Very pretty flowers and nice photos. Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

Karen said...

Great shots of your lovely camellias, we have a few Sasanquas growing in the gardens and they are one of my fave plants.

Laura said...

Oh how beautiful!

Ida said...

Those camellia blooms are so pretty.

Waldameise Andrea said...

Zauberhafte Blüten. Welch schöne Farben und Formen. Jetzt blüht die Welt wieder auf und der Mensch mit.

Ein lieber Gruß
von der Waldameise