A walk to the bottom

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Our property rises and falls on its rambling acre. I love the low side: the light is different as is the air. There is a meandering water course that is mostly dry and overgrown with ivy.

It’s a very typical mountain bush block with some surprises here and there: ferns and pink rhododendrons.

My two cats, Albert and Whitey (guess which is which😂) have taken to following me down. They peer into the wombat hole before watching me weed and rake.

My goal this month is to trim back the ivy which is slowing engulfing the maples, ferns and azaleas. Colin built a little foot bridge to make it easier to get to the other side.

I hope you had a good gardening weekend.

Did someone say earthquake?

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It’s been a weird old winter. Not only have we been months in lockdown, experienced four days of power outage, witnessed severe storms that felled hundreds of large trees in the forest and last Wednesday morning a 5.8 earthquake!

Thankfully, there was no damage but we had such a fright. My heart goes out to all people and animals who have experienced mother nature’s anger. Maybe she’s trying to tell us all something. Stay well and be safe.

Majestic oak

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I wasn’t supposed to be here but the sun was out and I had a take away coffee in my hand. Our local pub is closed and deserted due to lockdown but I couldn’t resist sitting quietly overlooking this Majestic Oak.

Enjoy your season in the garden.

Vases ready

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Today was cloudy and threatening to rain all day. It’s still quite cold up here on the mountain but that hasn’t stopped these crimson camellias from blooming profusely. I gather armfuls this morning ready for my vases.

Hope you’ve all had a peaceful weekend.

Home Life

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I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on home life. By this I mean the time we have all spent at home during this pandemic. Here in Victoria, Australia we have just gone into a seven day lock down. I know that compared to many other parts of the world this is a minor set back. You know, most people I speak to are glad to be at home. I know I am. It gives us all a chance to reflect on our lives, maybe cook, or garden and give thanks. We also spare a thought for those countries less fortunate than our own. May we all embrace the seasons upon us and look to the goodness in others.

Camellia chronicles – paused

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September has come and gone and I realise my camellia identification has paused. This is mainly due to the vast amount of information and images available and the fact that it is quite confusing. Just when I think I have identified a particular flower I view another even closer to my own.

Therefore, I thought I’d wait until such time as I can visit a camellia show in person. In the meantime, here is a selection of our much loved and admired blooms.

By the way, most of these have been flowering since August.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing this array of camellias. We have lived here on the mountain coming up to seventeen years in November and I am constantly grateful to the previous owner who had such vision to plant camellias. They are scattered in all areas of the garden and once established do not need much attention – pick and enjoy.

Keep gardening and stay well. You can follow me on Instagram @crabandfish_garden, too.

Classifying camellias – the white edit

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I am continuing my journey of trying to classify and indentifying the array of camellias on our property.

A quick back story: we did not plant out this garden, it was established when we bought it. I met the lady who planted all the trees. The garden was devastated in the 1983 bushfires. More on this in another post.

So, here goes – the white edit …

A collection of white or almost white camellias
Shiragiku, origins Japan c. japonica

A pure white camellia with, what I call, filigree petals.

Paolina Maggi, originated in Italy c. Japonica

These are in the green vase and are pure white with tender pink flecks on the edges of each petal.

Magnafolia (Hagoromo) – as the name suggests, originated in Italy but made its way to Japan

This is a particularly robust and sturdy tree, about 30ft in height. The flowers are small compared to the other camellias. Dark pink edges and last well in a vase.

Here is the tree in situ

Lastly, one of my favourites and an Australian cultivar – Brushfields yellow.

A very pale yellow – gorgeous blooms

Happy gardening and take time in the garden. Follow me on Instagram too – crabandfish_garden for more gardening adventures.

Take care and find solace in the garden.

Camellia challenge – the pink edit

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I’ve been investigating the identity of some of the pink camellias blooming in our garden now. I collected some for the table.

Readers Digest Gardeners Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers

I began by looking at this popular encyclopaedia which was on my bookshelf. However, I had greater success with the website http://www.camelliasaustralia.com.au – so here goes…

A beautiful mid pink rose-like flowers – Ellie’s Girl.

Pale pink large double flowers- Mrs DW Descanso. These have been flowering since June!

Rosy salmon blooms – Harriet Beecher Sheather.

Of course, it’s a challenge identifying a bloom from a page or a website. Would love to attend a camellia conference – one day!

Enjoy your season. Next week: the white edit 😊💐🌺🌷