The weather is all over the place at the moment. One day I am wearing shorts and sleeveless tops, and the next a jumper and long trousers. If the day starts bright and sunny, it could well be raining and blowing a gale by mid-afternoon. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had some beautiful weather, and that’s the problem. It lulls you into a false sense of security. On a positive note, at least the plants don’t seem too bothered, and we are blessed with lots of colour to brighten the grey days.
The jury is still out on whether we will grow any vegetables this year. I had decided against the idea, but the escalating cost of fresh produce in the supermarkets and the fact that we will not be going away this summer is making me seriously reconsider. And, if I’m on honest, I do love watching things grow. We will see.
HONEYSUCKLE
For years, this honeysuckle (a cutting) refused to grow, and if I hadn’t been so busy in other areas of the garden, it would have met its maker. I am pleased to say that after years of being ignored, it now offers a magnificent display of scented flowers.
CACTI IN FLOWER
I have been meaning to weed this cactus for the last year. But not today, as I discovered this beautiful pink flower. Sadly, my phone’s camera does not do it justice.
A couple of years ago, one of my neighbours gave me lots of cactus/succulent/cuttings. Finally, one flowered. I thought it was a Queen of the Night… but maybe not, as these flowers have lasted for days.
HYDRANGEA
One of the plants that has enjoyed the mixed bag of weather is the hydrangea. Back in March, it looked like this:
and now
HOPBUSH
I have lost count of the number of years this hopbush hedge has been trying to grow, but this year, after a winter/spring of rain, it is finally holding its own against the roots of the Washingtonia and beginning to bush out..
HIBISCUSES
I only caught two in flower this week, which is unusual.
A SAD FAREWELL
Our orange tree is dying, and I have no idea why. All the bare branches are dead as opposed to the leaves having blown off in the wind.
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That’s six things from my garden this week, fellow gardeners. Happy gardening!
Piglet in Portugal 
What a lovely neighbour to give you the cactus. I can understand your reticence to weed it, I have an agave that needs sorting but the prospect is too painful. Sorry about your orange tree, will you get another?
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