The first of the glorious winter shades. These blush pink beauties are the first of the doubles to flower. They were a welcome hello to the winter school holidays when I was teaching.
Enjoy the season and keep well.
Vintage camellias
country living
Glasshouse gleaming and dreaming
Here in southern Australia, the days are getting shorter and colder. May is a great month for autumn colour but also for completing some key garden jobs before it gets too cold.
One such job is cleaning out the glasshouse. Which means taking every pot out! Luckily we have this handy deck just outside.
A bucket with soapy water and I’m ready to wash down the benches and the walls. It’s worth it.
Next, I hose down the concrete to get rid of all the bugs 🐜 in the corners.
I have to race against the dimming light and cold to bring these plants back in.
Job done ✅ Now I can sit and dream of more plants! Stay in your garden and breath – be safe and positive.
Hot house flowers
Experimenting in my new glasshouse hothouse. 
Lettuce, begonias and a cat, so far. Very exciting. What else should I grow in here? All suggestions welcome.
Breakfast flowers
One of the simple pleasures is breakfast at our local coffee shop with good book in tow. This morning these beautiful spring flowers welcomed me at the table.
I am reading Kate Llewellyn’s A Fig at the Gate (Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin, 2014). Her reflections on gardening and life are wise and considered.
Now I ready for a day in the garden. How have you started your Saturday?
Follow me on Instagram:
crabandfish_garden for short reflections too. Happy weekend.
Tulip time
Tulips sprinkled by spring rains – in our garden today 🌷🌷🌷
Around the garden
A walk around the garden always reveals some special treasures!
Take time to “be botanical”. 😊
Seven years
WordPress just informed me I have been blogging about my garden for seven years – that’s amazing! Thank you to all my followers and to those who comment and share their thoughts and ideas – it’s great to a part of your botanical community!
Chateau gardens
For all you gardeners and historians – Hluboka nad Vlatovou (Hluboka Chateau on the Vltava River) – grand gardens filled with hostas, roses, peonies and zinnias. So opulent and wonderful.
Some summer inspiration for you. Happy botanics and happy gardening. Love this sunshine.
Seasonal traveller
I can’t say I’m a seasoned traveller because we do seem to go to the same place more than once. I guess it’s a comfort zone for us and of course, there’s family to consider. However, I do love the changes of season no matter where we find ourselves. So, I guess I’m a seasonal traveller.
My cousins live in this beautiful town, Pelhrimov, about 120 kms south of Prague and every couple of years they host us. As you can see we’ve been here in both summer and winter. Still can’t decide whether I prefer the summer or winter experience.
Once our jet-lag has left, our summer here should be green and colourful. Happy gardening no matter where you are. Lots of botanical observations to come.
Time to travel
The winter seeds are planted, the garden raked, pots spruced up, house secured, cats and magpies fed and chores completed. 
Time to travel back to see family in Prague, Trieste and Rijeka. Please join me as we revisit some wonderful cities and beautiful gardens. Happy gardening!
crabandfish garden 