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Summer is just around the corner and our garden is changing almost weekly.
Young Rainbow Lorikeets are visiting their birdbaths, with parent birds keeping
a watchful eye on their little ones. Our wild black ducks are at ease on the
decking of our swimming pool and as usual are now quite tame. Colour abounds in
various areas of the garden.
Our Favourite Rhododendron
Our Rhododenron Pink Pearl featured on Page 2 has now finished flowering and
her new growth is prolific. Within the swimming pool area, as if on cue, our
Rhododendron Bud Flannigan bursts into full bloom. This was planted during our
first spring, simply to fill in a corner and what a display of flowers it
produces.
Tranquility
Our first waterlily bursts into flower in the pond. You may remember seeing
our pond on page 2 and even since this photo was taken, we've found a couple
more waterlilies in flower and hope our choices of colours will enhance the pond
throughout the summer months. The goldfish play hide 'n seek under the lily pads and appear to be
contentedly growing. Perhaps they too, appreciate the change of temperature and
are full of energy.
Sugar Kisses
The Kalmia is a close relative of the Rhododendron and wherever we have
lived, we have planted Kalmia Sarah. With dark green, glossy leaves, the
contrast between blooms and leaves is stunning. Pictured are her icing-sugar
flowers which feel quite sticky to touch; the plant is massed with these tiny
blooms which are so inviting to the birds.
Purple Splendour
Just as I had managed to remember the name of Lasiandra, the Botanical name
of the shrub pictured above was changed to Tibouchina! This shrub has a very
long flowering season, which begins in mid-summer and will continue throughout
Autumn.
The buds swell and then with a flourish and in incredible profusion, burst
into their large, brilliant purple flowers. We have planted our Tibouchina in a
bed with yellow-stick and red-stick Dogwood shrubs, the background to which is
an evergreen Dogwood tree.
In order to avoid straggly growth, we heavily prune our Tibouchina
immediately after flowering to encourage a more shapely bush.
