A while back I decided to permanently close one of the big gates and create a new garden bed behind it. That was one of the best ideas I ever had I reckon....
I hung my orchids on that bamboo bar which has slowly sunk down on one end and looks a bit tacky. I think what I would like to do is get an arch to put into that corner. I will hang the orchids from it and hopefully the stephanotis will trail over it. The stephanotis is a rather straggly vine, but the flowers are gorgeous. Since the lychee tree was pruned and this area got more sunshine it has really flourished. Great big bushes of impatients, caladiums going wild, and this lovely little plant called balsam I got from the local markets. It seems to be the same family as impatients, although the flowers are up the stem, rather than on top.
Interspersed among the flowers are lots of cherry tomatoes
the project for the weekend was to permanently cement in some bricks under the gate as that is an area where the bandicoots persist in trying to get in. Not quite straight, but as long as it keeps the bandicoots out I am happy. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for the grass to grow back.
This bouganvilla that I grew from a slip took forever to get going, but this year has settled in nicely. The flowers start off salmon and then change to this gentle pink. It is not as aggressive as the last vine I had.
At last I think I have found the perfect spot for my stripey chair. Both the grand-kids took it in turn to sit there with a book for a good amount of time over the weekend - now I think it is my turn....
18 comments:
That looks so nice. Beautiful area to relax and have some coffee. Nice work:)
Looks lovely. I like the idea of hanging your orchids. I am attempting to grow my first orchid this year. So far I haven't killed it. But I don't feel optimistic about flowers.
Beautiful patches of flora in your garden. Love that bougainvillea coloration and how the vine is hugging that fence. Btw, maybe the orchid can be placed on a inverted pot or a tall pot stand right the back of that wonderful bed of plants if the bamboo rod is not holding the hanging pots well. Have a great day and happy gardening ;-)
When I was much younger we used to call the pink variety you have balsam and what is now called impatiens, we called New Guinea balsam. I think they are all related. The pink one will self-seed and spread quite easily.
Poor old bandicoot - I'm sure he curses you every time he scratches at those bricks! I'm sure you'll be able to cope with the sorrow as you pick a basket full of your tomatoes :-)
That corner of your garden is looking so beautiful! What a lovely spot to relax in that lovely chair.
I love how the wooden stakes of the gate make a lovely backdrop for your plants.
Now I just need to find the time to do that!
I am still not sure how to have orchids in the garden - the best idea are those little wooden slatted pots, but they are expensive - thinking of making some of my own. Everyone says just ignore them and they do best lol!
Stephanie,
thank you, yes I am loving the colour in the garden right now. I find orchids often are top heavy so hanging them is better than trying to stand them up.
Missy,
Funny I have never heard it called Balsalm. Yes the pink one volunteers all over the place :)
Laura,
No sympathy at all - I am a hard one aren't I :)
Sami,
My neighbour gave me that chair about a year ago, and I have only just found the perfect spot for it!
Stiletto,
Eventually it would be nice if we don't see too much of the gate or fence - just forest! At the back you can see the neighbours higher plants behind mine so it seems as though my garden is bigger.
What a special garden you have.
I have a $150 Bunnings Gift Voucher Giveaway on my blog A Green Earth and I welcome you and your readers to enter.
The plants you mention are so amazing to me, here in southern Tasmania! Lychees! And things I have never heard of. It all looks so lovely too. One thing we have in common is badicoots but I love them. All they do in my garden is dig those conical holes anywhere there's a grassy path. They never (touch wood) seem to mess up the garden itself!
Oh I am so sorry that I missed that - glad I found your blog though - you have a wealth of information there!
Kate, It sounds as though you have the well-behaved bandicoots - mine run rampant and always through the vegetables, turning everything root up!
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