August in the garden

Never yet was there a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom. 

— Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

The 1st of September is officially Spring in South Africa but all the signs of spring are there much earlier, sometimes as early as late-July — peach trees full of blossoms, Tiger grass and other plants pushing out new green shoots — but today is one of the coldest days of the past winter with temperatures at -2℃ early this morning and not going much above 10℃. Hopefully this will be the last of the cold and it's forth into summer from here on!

Every August I stand in wonder as the landscape transforms itself from a dead-yellow and dusty-brown to wondrous greens. We had a ferocious veld fire last week, thankfully the only one this season, and already the green grass shoots are peeping through the blackened landscape.

As usual, the Bulbinella (Bulbine frutescenc) came through the cold fairly unscathed and put up a lovely show of flowers. Most species of Bulbinella are endemic to South Africa and is used as a remedy for wounds, burns, rashes, itches, ringworm, cracked lips, herpes, cuts, insect bites, cold sores and acne. Crush the leaf softly between your fingers and squeeze the clear leaf sap out, putting it directly on the cut or burn. I cannot seem to work in the garden without getting cuts and scrapes and this wonderful plant has come through for me time and again.

 This year my Tree Fuschia (Halleria Lucida) has stayed green, a testament to the mild winter we've had. Last year I thought I had lost it but luckily it sprung to life again in spring.

My Tree Fuschia (Halleria Lucida) to the right of the pot looking all but dead last August

These Aloes, which I had not planted and which had somehow taken root next to one of the pathways, make a lovely border. They haven't flowered as yet, so I'm still trying to identify them. The Nasturtiums carried on right through the winter, not taking any notice of the cold, but the Hydrangeas right at the back are definitely looking worse for the wear!

An Aloe and some Echeverias I planted in an old metal tub last spring have surprised me with their prolific growth. The Old Man Cactus in the pot in front has made an identical twin, probably needs to go into a bigger pot...

And so, as we officially leave winter, I'm hoping to get a bit more done in the garden in September, I've really been taking advantage of the cold as an excuse not to do much and my garden is showing signs of neglect. I'm taking some blame, can't blame it ALL on the chickens!

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My New Garden - Progress 9 - August 2009

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

-- Marcel Proust

August has arrived, with all the winds it brings, and hopefully Spring is already peeping through. We've just had our first spring rains on the 1st August and within a week all the peach trees were dressed in their beautiful pink blossoms, but within 2 weeks, the August winds had all but blown all of them off.




August 2009: The Acacias at the pond are still splendidly dressed in their white Winter thorns and provide a safe haven for many a bird trying to get out of the Fiscal Shrike's way, but also serves as her larder, where she spikes many insects on the thorns for later consumption.


The aloes putting on a beautiful show, as usual, throughout the Winter.


Beginning-August : These Butterfly bushes (Buddleia Salvifolia) will shortly be covered in dense white flowers, inviting all the butterflies in the area for a snack and safe egg hosting.


The pond still devoid of any greenery apart from the Eugenia on the left and the Butterfly bushes on the right.


Torti (my Leopard tortoise) spent most of the winter hibernating in her home-made nest at the pond.


The Tiger Grass hit by the frost, but luckily it springs back to life with the first rains although it does need to be cut back.


A new little water feature I added next to the pathway


My faithful gardener, Chrissie, who tends to it all


I planted these Black Karees and Celtises about 2 seasons ago in an empty corner next to the pond and they're starting to take shape. Need to start trimming and forming them into shape soon.


More of the Aloes - As with every winter, the Aloes were not a disappointment this year. I've never actually seen them so full of flowers.


Bees flitting around the Aloes caught my attention, and just before taking the close-up of these bees making full use of collecting the available nectar, I missed the Black Sunbird taking his fill. I've been waiting for them to enjoy this luscious smorgasbord.


I placed some logs next to the pathway in various spots.


The Cycad made it through the winter - Cycas revoluta (Sago palm)


The beautiful Feather grass turns big and bushy every winter


My Secretary birds standing proud under the Black Karees - maybe they need a coat of varnish?


End-August : The Butterfly Bushes in full flower (Buddleia salvifolia) - all the grass around the pond is still yellow and dead


Butterfly bush flowers


The aloes are still lingering in their last glory


The patio desperately needs new varnish! Next on my list...


The area for the new rain garden now in progress. Lawn removed and will be adding compost, rocks, pebbles and water-loving plants.

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My New Garden: Progress 5 - Aug to Dec 2006

I haven't up-dated my new garden progress for some time, so please note that this progress is for August to December 2006 - I'll catch up to be current very soon!



There is a great pleasure in working in the soil, apart from the ownership of it. The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world.
- Charles Dudley Warner, 1870

AUGUST 2006 : Spring hasn't quite stuck her head out yet - very windy and still very cold... not that the Arctotis seem to mind, they've been flowering since the middle of July. The Monkey-tail Cactus has been covered in flowers all Winter long.


Arctotis


Arctotis flower


September 2006 - Erigeron climbing over the log


Monkey-tail Cactus flower


Cactus flowers on a beautiful October night.


October 2006 - the Pachypodium has survived! and started sprouting new heads of leaves.


Can't say the same for the Acacia Umbrella Thorn -
nary a sign of a green bud and I really think I've lost it this Winter...
knew he was too tender, yet I still took the chance of planting him.


Above and below: The lush greenery of November after still some more rain...




The Red Hot Pokers flourishing in the December heat


Bull-Bull in the Pin Oak


December2006 - The Greater Striped Swallows re-built last year's nest
under the ceiling of the garden shed.

Next up-date Jan '07 to Dec '07

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My New Garden: Progress 2 : April to Aug '05

"Tread softly!" a signpost in my garden reads: "Your feet are killing me!"

The Garden on a quiet April night

Thank heavens this 2005 Winter seemed extremely mild, because our area, Tarlton, gets severe frost regularly, wiping out anything that's remotely marked as frost-tender, and by beginning-July most of the trees already had blossoms and tiny leaf buds.

The lawn is taking a bit longer and it's amazing that, no matter how much you water, with the first rains, no matter how little, everything springs to life.

The White Karees have done well this summer and are well-prepared for the coming winter.

Even the Euphorbia pulled through

July and mid-Winter - things are looking decidedly dry. the lawn is dry and yellow and didn't even put up a fight against the severe frost we're having.

It's August, spring is looming and the Sword Ferns and Hen & Chickens were almost wiped out completely.

Some of the Acacias look worse for the wear, but tiny green leaves are already sprouting!

I forgot to move My Old Man cactus under-roof, but didn't seem to mind the cold and even seems a couple of centimeters taller, but the frost got the one Coco Splumosa, below.

These little Phormiums are truly wonderful, don't seem to get affected by cold, wind, water or drought. Must actually plant some more of them.

The old peach tree, which I didn't have the heart to remove, was already covered in pink blossoms early in July and now, in August, already has most its leaves.

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