Foliage

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.

The last of the gold

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The last of the autumn leaves. This large prunus tree shades our back deck in summer and certainly gives us a spectacular treat in spring with its pink blossoms and then again in autumn when it sheds its glorious, golden leaves.

I don’t mind raking up the multitude of fallen leaves. It’s been so dry this autumn that it was quite an easy task, despite my cat Albert’s interest in them too!

It’s always wonderful to see overseas visitors come to the mountain to see the dramatic display. It is said to be auspicious in many Asian cultures to be in and among the autumn hues. It is a revered and some even say, a spiritual experience.

My neighbour recently reprimanded me when she spotted some fake flowers in one of my vases, “we live surrounded by beauty and real colour, bring some fresh foliage into the house!” I took her advice.

I hope you can display some of your garden in your home this weekend and enjoy some time with family or friends. Happy gardening. 🙂

That’s life

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More often than not, an opportunity to be in the garden offers a time for reflection. I reflect on recent changes, our return from Prague and family. I used to say that all problems are solved in the garden. For me, this is still true, especially when experiencing loss. It is during these times of complicated thoughts, that the garden offers solace and peace.  Over the twelve years on the Mount, one companion has helped me dig, watched me weed, walked the paths with me and called out when it was time to go in. So when his time came a week today, it was very sad. Sarge, our fourteen year old cat, was a quirky character and a very personable cat. He was brave and fearless in his territorial duties – even venturing down a wombat hole.

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He now rests in the garden he loved.

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I guess that’s part of life. Nature overcomes all. For now, I continue to think of how fortunate it is to have a garden like this and animals to give it joy.

   
While I repot and re-plan, I reflect on the myriad  of relationships we share with others and with Nature itself. Let us use our gardens to reflect on that which is lacking in our world today – peace. I wish you this in your garden today. 

Window Boxes of Prague

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We are reaching the end of our stay in Prague. It was more than expected – a truly wonderful city. Here are some gardening ideas to bring home – we should all have at least one window box or the like.
  They are often simple geraniums in bold colours.

  The full sun and the heat from the masonry walls ensure a dramatic display. 

 Begonias are another popular species for window boxes.   These can be found in the windows of most residences and restaurants – delightfully simple. 

 (oops, I think this ivy is fake!)

  

Some need a little more love.

 This red geranium is at Prague castle. Ok, this may be too much. However, none of these are beyond the average home gardener, like us. Happy gardening!