I'm back this week after getting through the first trimester of pregnancy (too sleepy for gardening) and hubby's Covid (he's all good now). We are both feeling fine and finally enjoying some proper spring weather, although it continues to be very wet. Despite not contributing lately, I have enjoyed following along with everyone else's seasonal bunches, even if I haven't left a comment. Your bunches brighten my week! This week, I decided on a quick little posy of the brightest blooms in the garden: This bunch features the bright blooms of Freesia 'Bergunden Mix', Nemesia stumosa 'Patchwork', Tritonia crocata, Calendula officinalis 'Honey Babe Mix' and stocks Matthiola incana 'Imperial'.   I love all the pumpkin colours in this bunch Though parts of the garden are a total mess, having being neglected lately, other parts are looking beautiful. With some newfound energy, I enjoyed working on my yearly display of cymbidum orchids. Usua...

More signs of spring are in the air and in the garden. Last night on a walk around the neighbourhood, I noticed the unmistakable sweet plummy scent of Prunus x blireana and followed it to its source, where I relieved the tree of a few little blossoming twigs. Around my area, it is commonly seen planted on the verge as a street tree.   Next, I added a few additions from my own garden: spring starflowers ( Ipheion uniflorum ) and snowflakes ( Leucojum vernum )   You can see the camellias still in abundant bloom in the background. Thanks to Cathy, the creator and host of the In a Vase on Monday meme. Perhaps you would like to contribute a bunch from your garden (or surrounds)? Click here to see what other gardeners around the world have gathered from their gardens this week.

Just squeezing in late this week with my IAVOM contribution. Truth be told, I completely forgot yesterday, as both myself and my other half had the day off. It was a gorgeous winter day with SUN and I spent a fair bit of it outside working on the garden. Most of the camellias in our garden are in full bloom now, although there are a couple of late flowering varieties yet to open their buds.  The bowl was gifted to me by my MIL, who claims it is specifically a bowl for camellias - I'm not so sure, but they do display well in it. Blooms displayed include, 'Margaret Davis', 'Debutante', 'Bob Hope', 'Black Tie', 'The Zsar' and two unknown varieties.  I'm off to do a bit of work in the veggie patch today. Vegetable gardening - as satisfying as it is - also reaps financial rewards at this time. Our recent widespread Australian floods have resulted in a shortage of some vegetables, particularly lettuce, which are currently retailing at $10... e...