Before we went away on holiday to England, there was still a nip in the air during the day, even if it was sunny, and it was usually cold at night. Log fires were still a necessity (although Mr P and I disagreed on this point). On arriving in England, I quickly discovered I required a thick jumper, two coats, yes two!, a woolly hat and a scarf…
We returned to Portugal late Wednesday night to discover the weather had changed. Even at midnight, the air was warm, and the daytime temperatures were in the low to mid twenties with a warm breeze. Compared to England, we are now in summer and wearing shorts and sandals.
DEBATE
Mr P refuses to accept that this straggly, woody hibiscus bush is past its best and needs to be moved from its prime location on our front terrace to the back patio, where it can retire with dignity.
*
BUDS
I was given this cutting (A member of the Queen of the Night family) last year, and I am delighted to discover it is now in bud! I don’t have a clue what colour the flowers will be. I seem to vaguely remember pink, red or yellow. We will see.
MADAGASCAR CACTUS PALM
I am relieved to say that new leaves are beginning to appear, and it has survived another winter. A present from a good friend in November 2017, it seems to have adapted to the cooler winter temperatures
Pachypodium Lamerei – Madagascar Cactus Palm
WHEN IS A WEED NOT A WEED?
This is Italian thistle has made its home in my succulent bed. Despite being the cuckoo in the nest, and it is SO pretty, I have decided to keep it.
DEAD BATTERies
Despite being on the irrigation system, which we checked before we went away today, I noticed these plants were stressed. On further investigation, I realised the soil was bone dry! The irrigation system batteries were dead. The hydrangeas will be okay as they are in a shady location but the hibiscus is in the full sun so it will be a miracle if it survives.
I think I better move it to a shady location and drench the roots. Fingers crossed.
VEGETABLE PLOT IN RETIREMENT
This year, after last year’s disasters, I lost my vegetable-growing mojo. BUT, as I survey the abandoned area, and considering what is happening in the world and the escalating price of food, I wonder if I should get planting? Ponderous
Well, folks. That’s my six for this Saturday. My thoughts and prayers to Jim, our Six on Saturday host, whose wife has just sadly passed away.
Related Posts:
Piglet in Portugal 
Everything is really waking up, I hope the Hibiscus rebounds with a drink. I’m sorry to hear of Jim’s wife.
LikeLike
The Hibiscus does look somewhat sad I have to agree. I hope that the dried out plants have revived. I have a solar powered watering system that works off of water butts and tanks. It works really well .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed re the hibiscus, which reminds me I need to move it to a shady location and drench the roots.
I had never heard of a solar powered watering systme until Fred mentioned it below. What a great idea!
LikeLike
I’ve had my system for many years now. It’s by a company called Irrigata
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing this and hope the plants survive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. :)
LikeLike
What a shame about your irrigation system failure. Always the way, something unwanted happens when one is away! Glad you are back safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lana. It is so frustrating when something like this hapens as I assured the friends who were looking after the garden not to worry about those pots. IT’s good to be back
LikeLiked by 1 person
For my drip watering, I opted for a system with a solar panel to recharge the batteries so I can go on vacation without worry.
Speaking of orchid cactus, mine is blooming yellow, as you can see in my Six this week. That photo was from last year, and I don’t have any flower buds this year (but I had to split and repot it; I just have to wait a little )
LikeLiked by 1 person
A solar panel charged watering system, what a brilliant idea, Fred. Yes, yur orchid cactus floer was amazing. It will be interesting to see what colour this will be
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I would keep the Italian Thistle, too. So much character, and I’m assuming it’s a tough little plant? Your description of your weather sounds pleasant to me. Our weather has been changeable lately, but many days in the 20sC. Today, the high was around 12C and it felt cold, but we’ll be warm again next week. Yay! Enjoy the shorts and sandals weather!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Beth, yes the thistle is tough and even roots in the gravel. I am just hoping the eather lasts after months and months of of cold, damp and rainy weather we need some heat.
LikeLike
No gardening here yet (lots of fresh snow) but you have lots of work ahead. If you have veggies you can grow and use then go for it I say. A bit of self sufficiency feels great and is worth the work IMO. Bernie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness, it does not seem possible you have lots of fresh snow. Does it usually snow this late in Spring? The jury is still out on the veg plot. Maybe I’ll just go for a few …. I’ll have to see the condition of the earth.
LikeLike
It is quite common for it to snow in April. Temps fluctuate from -10 to 20. It’s wildly insane. Monday is 19 and by Thursday-6.
LikeLike
So sorry about the passing of the host’s wife. While Summer has come to your area, Spring has just started showing her lovely face here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Laurie, such sad news … but it makes one grateful for another day. WE seem to have gone from Spring to summer in a matter of weeks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Summer! When I arrived to my garden this morning there were frost in some places…
I too think that thistles can be very beautiful. I heard a saying this week that I’ve never heard before about thistles. If someone gives you a thistle it means that they will always be there for you. I thought that was kind of interesting, is it because thistles are almsot impossible to get rid off? (If one would wish to get rid of them that is.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Maria what a wonderful saying about thistels. Yes, they do seem impossible to get rid of. I hope the frost in your garden didn’t do any damage
LikeLike