1. Kind Gardeners.
Last week one of my favourite bloggers, Gill at Off the Edge Gardening mentioned that it was World Kindness Day. I have never heard of such a thing, but garden bloggers don’t need a special kindness day, they are such a kind, supportive and generous lot all year round. So for number one, I would like to thank two of my blogging friends for their kindness and generosity. I received two exciting packages this week. One was from my friend Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Cathy has invested in a hydropod propagator and I am so impressed with the healthy plants with fantastic roots that she sent me in this lovely box.
Tony Tomeo from Los Gatos in California sent me all these Amaryllis seeds. It was all properly done, the package went through customs and was released by DEFRA Plant Health. The seeds have little roots showing and are ready to go. Many thanks to you both, Cathy and Tony. It was such a treat to receive such exciting packages.
2.New Project. Well, perhaps this can’t be included in a November pleasure at the moment, because it will be hard work, but it is a pleasure to come. Now I have extended my winter garden I only have a narrow strip of grass down the side of it as I have been nibbling at the grass for the last few years. After so much rain it is mostly mud and very slippery. Obviously I need a proper path. I would love to have a brick one but old bricks are very expensive. I have decided to compromise and use the old bricks that I have dotted about the garden and buy a few more to make brick edging with gravel in the middle. I shall be glad to finally get rid of all the grass round here and not have any more edges to cut. Since I took the first photo I have planted the new bit of winter garden and put a stepping stone path through the middle. The stump is the remains of a black-leaved elder which I need to cut to the ground to get nice big foliage next year. The Pianist was so excited when I told him about my new idea for a path. He didn’t say so, in fact he groaned, but I know secretly he was excited. Here is where the path will go.
3 Autumn colour. This month has brought us a record amount of rain and the garden looks decidedly Novemberish. But still there is some good seasonal colour hanging on in there. There are flowers too but these must wait for the November Bloom post next Saturday.
4.The Greenhouse is stuffed with refugees from the garden at the moment. But there are plenty of flowers in there to brighten up the dull November days. My late flowering nerines are waiting to be included in my Top Ten November Blooms post. But here are some of the other pretty flowers, starting with this curious paintbrush.
Haemanthus albiflos
Oxalis is a pernicious weed, specially that awful one that grows in the paving stones or in plant pots amongst your prize plants. But Oxalis massoniana is a delight.
Oxalis massoniana
I love salvias and they are so easy from cuttings that I leave the big plants outside to take their chance with the frost and take cuttings. But this one, Salvia corrugata is quite new and I will keep it inside. I like it for its bright blue flowers and curious, wrinkled leaves.
Salvia corrugata
This mallow, Anisodontea ‘El Royo’ is new too and I don’t know how hardy it is so I will keep it inside for this winter. It has such delicate flowers.
Anisodontea ‘El Royo’
My bougainvilea has been in bloom for weeks.
Bougainvillea
The blue Plumbago capensis bloomed earlier then had a rest and here it is again.
Plumbago capensis
5.In the House. I have lots of orchids. I can’t resist them and they are so cheap these days. They go on and on and never seem to die so the collection just gets bigger. I repotted all my Phaelonopsis recently and I will do a post about them another time. Today I am going to feature one I am particularly delighted with. It is the first time that I have got a pansy-faced Miltonia to flower again. It is so pretty and very fragrant too.
Miltonia orchid
The Odontoglossum is reflowering too.
Odontoglossum orchid
6. November Sunsets are so often beautiful even if they are indecently early. They are usually one of the pleasures of November but they have been scarce this year with so much rain and cloud. In fact for the first time I haven’t been able to capture one with my camera this year, so I am going to cheat and use one I took a previous year when November sunsets were more plentiful. November treats in the garden are a bit thin on the ground so we have to make the best of what we get. And perhaps if it stops raining we will get one like this again soon, along with a rainbow and a dove with an olive twig in his beak.
Please check out the Propagator‘s blog to see what all the other bloggers have found for their Six on Saturday.
Chloris
Brilliantly entertaining as usual, plus you’ve IDed two plants I’ve been meaning to search for for ages (the paintbrush plant and anisodontea) … so big thanks for that!
Thank you Allison, I’m glad you enjoyed it. The white paintbrush isn’t as easy as the red one, Haemanthus coccineus, but it bulks up quickly.
I really like the way the names of plants appear on the pictures of # 3, well done!
Otherwise the new project is attractive (and the borders are already very well arranged)
Thank you Fred. I am looking forward to finishing the new project but realistically I know it will take me a long time. I think it will be worth it though,
Really love the oxalis because I think you may well have named an unknown plant in my garden that’s been popping up at the end of every winter and dies down to brown bulbs at the end of every spring. I also desperately need to read your future post on phalaenopsis orchids. They’re quite my favourites and I keep buying them but also manage to lose one or two a year…
Oh do you have Oxalis corniculata? It is dreadful stuff and impossible to get rid off. This is a delightful oxalis and not weedy at all. Phalaenopsis are very easy once you get the hang of their requirements.
I love that Salvia and am so impressed with the plans for the garden path. I can already imagine what the finished thing will look like – good luck!
Thank you Chris, it is a project which will keep me out of mischief this winter. Fortunately we don’t usually get harsh winters like yours.
Your life is rich with plants. Lovely gifts. I like the salvia also and love the photo of your Betula. Happy sun scenes.
Yes, my life is rich with plants and it is lovely to get plant gifts from generous gardeners.
Your greenhouse is really full of lovely flowers for the winter. I have never taken a cutting from a salvia, now I’ll have to give it a try.
Thank you. Salvias are really easy from cuttings, do try.
The garden path will be wonderful but I think a lot of work. Good luck.the flower photos are always good. Thanks.
Thank you. Yes, the path will be a lot of work but worth it. As the winter goes on it gets really slippery down there and I want visitors to my winter garden to be able to walk safely and without getting muddy.
Interesting – what is in your greenhouse is in my garden in a few cases. Plumbago is nearly a weed here and grows well in unirrigated sand.I think you need a Dombeya (Tropical Hydrangea) Your new pathway layout looks great, and will be a lot of work but worth the effort. And you can buy more plants!!
I grew Dombeya from seed years ago, it grew into a big plant but I could never get it to flower. Maybe I’ll try again. I never stop buying plants, and growing them from seeds and cuttings and I am glad that for the foreseeable future I am unlikely to run out of space, as when I do I trim back my boundaries a bit more.
Have a look at toptropicals.com they are in Southwest Florida and sell some interesting seeds. My Dombeya is about 8 x8 feet and just starting to put out buds..a pink Wallichii
8×8 ft? I’d need a new greenhouse
Well it flowered last year at half that size.
Please do show us when the buds open.
I will..dying to see it!
That sunset is a real beauty, wonderful sos this week.
Thank you Noelle.
So many treats this week Chloris. Your greenhouse gems are delightful and that path will look amazing. The gravel with brick edge is a good compromise.
Thank you Katherine. I shall use the bricks horizontally, I will need more but I think it will look better. I wish I could wave a magic wand and have it finished.
That’s a fabulous sunset shot! I love that Oxalis too. Years ago, I attended a talk by the general manager for a famous garden center who said he collected Oxalis – the audience groaned but your example shows that some are worth investing in.
Thank you Kris. There are some really pretty oxalis around. Have you come across the red and white striped one, Oxalis versicolor? It’s delightful.
Such an interesting six.
Thank you Linda.
Looking forward to seeing the development of the path. Beautiful sunset and oxalis.
It is a pretty oxalis, unfortunately it doesn’t seed around like the weedy ones do. Yes, November is the month for glorious sunsets but this year has been mostly too cloudy.
Simply adore that salvia, both bloom & foliage. Actually love all the greenhouse flowers! What a joy it must be to visit them at this of year. Am looking forward w/great interest to your path.
I came across the salvia at Wollerton Hall in September and had to have it as much for the foliage as the flowers.
You still have so much blooming and lovely foliage as well. Your path looks like a BIG project (I’d groan, too)! I expect it will look wonderful once it is done.
It is a big project, I am well known for biting off more than I can chew. That is why the Pianist groaned, he knows he will get roped in to help.
Good man! 😉
Wonderful colours – your winter garden plans sound so exciting!
Thank you. Yes, we gardeners need to have new plans and projects to give us something to think about in the long winter evenings.
A brick path will look fabulous! You could have a “donate a brick or two” party, everyone has a couple hanging about. I would send you one in the post but …… 🙂 The plumbago is a beauty, as you know I love blue. Wishing you many glorious sunsets. And thanks for the mention. You are the kindest of them all x
Thank Gill, you always say the nicest things. A donate a ‘brick party’, that’s a novel idea. I can see that posting a brick is not a good idea, but thanks for the thought. I love the sky blue colour of plumbago. It is a plant to buy in bloom as some are deeper blue than others.
Love that little oxamis! Very pretty.
It is lovely and then it disappears completely for a while. Anything which blooms at this time of the year is welcome.
Oh what kind and thoughtful gifts from fellow gardeners Chloris. Looking forward to reading more about your orchids. I’ve managed to keep one alive for almost a year and am feeling most pleased with myself 😂 Here we’ve not had much in the way of sun let alone spectacular sunsets so far this November but tomorrow is looking promising.
Yes indeed, they were lovely gifts so beautifully wrapped too. Orchids are easy once you understand their requirements. Lovely day here today, but very cold.
The new project is exciting but looks to be a massive area to build a path. Hope you’re feeling strong! I loved reading about your gifts and how they got to you.
Thank you Dorris. Yes, it is rather a daunting project. I am hoping the Pianist will help but he is not showing much ( any) enthusiasm for the job.
Not sure I blame him in this weather! It will look incredible though.
Haha – I can see that the Pianist would be plased with this newest project, Chloris, and what a good idea it is – I am surprised you hadn’t got round to it before. And all these extensions to your winter garden…you will be rivalling Cambridge Bot Gdns soon! I keep adding more plants for winter interest where I can so will be looking to your blog for ideas. Gorgeous sunsets, sadly something we cannot see from our house. Oh and next time you generouslycsend me a parcel of goodies some of that oxalis would be welcome, if possible. SO glad you liked your package 😊
I know Cathy, but I haven’t got your brick laying skills so it is rather daunting to me. You and I both love plants for winter interest, I am always looking out for winter ideas. After all, it is a big part of the year and I can’t bear the thought of having nothing to look at for months. When the oxalis dies down Ii’ll see if I can divide it.
Haha – I can see that the Pianist would be plased with this newest project, Chloris, and what a good idea it is – I am surprised you hadn’t got round to it before. And all these extensions to your winter garden…you will be rivalling Cambridge Bot Gdns soon! I keep adding more plants for winter
interest where I can so will be looking to your blog for ideas. Gorgeous sunsets, sadly something we cannot see from our house. Oh and next time you generouslycsend me a parcel of goodies some of that oxalis would be welcome, if possible. SO glad you liked your package 😊
Your greenhouse is truly full of gems. Lovely Oxalis. I can see in my mind’s eye that your new path is going to be perfect.
Thank you Jason. The greenhouse is stuffed with plants so there is always something in bloom.
I really enjoyed this post, seeing all your wonderfully unusual plants. That garden path is going to be fabulous, with no more mowing to do! 🙂
You have me smiling re the Pianist, less grass for him to mow though! Your brick path sounds lovely, a huge job for you, but I’m sure it will come off perfectly! I tip my cap to you! I loved paintbrush and that beautiful salvia, my favourite was that gorgeous pansy-faced orchid.xxx
Hello there! I also have never heard about World Kindness Day! It’s a good occasion to think about our behaviour but I think that we should be kind everyday. Your new project seems very promising. I like how the look of that garden changed, it looks much better now. When it comes to salvia I also like it because it is quite easy in cultivation. It has beautiful intense colours what looks glamorous. I bought mine on https://gardenseedsmarket.com/tropical-sage-pink-variety.html and it was the first on I have grown from seeds. It looks amazing and is really resistent.
It is gratifying that those amaryllis went to a good home where they will be appreciated. I should have sent more. We got our first rain since last spring overnight (It is now November 17.). I noticed today that water flowed off a roadway and over an area where I sowed about half of the amaryllis seed! A few downriver neighbors might be getting a surprise in a few years. I really do not now what to do with more seedlings anyway. We plants some on the side of the road to naturalize.