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 
apart from the orange tree…and what a shame that is, your garden seems to be flourishing….enjoy!
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Thanks, Cath. My garden is my happy place.
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I imagine that your garden is filled with pleasant scents all around. Sorry about your orange tree. The rest of your garden looks amazing
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Hi Maria, surprisingly the only really scented flowers are the organge blossom. the honeysuckle, yes. but not so intense.
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The hibiscus look beautiful! And of course, it’s always amazing when cactuses flower – and even better if the flowers last for a few days!!
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Hi Katrin, I think the hibiscus has got to be my favourite flower as it blooms most of the year and the ones we have are eergreen
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Even just grow all your garden favs — that makes it a win win.
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Yep, I should but I am a stubborn old fool LoL
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Well done that honeysuckle – I can imagine the fragrance. The Hydrangea has really taken off.
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Thanks, trowel. Patience really does pay off on both counts!
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The succulent looks like Epiphyllum cooperi to me. Is it fragrant? I am intrigued by your hop bush, what on earth is it? Do you know the botanical name? Pretty hibiscus.
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Hi Chloris I wondered if it was… is that Queen of the night? But unlike the one I’ve had for years the flowers on this one last for days. No, it is not fragrant.
The hopbush was not what I thought I was buying. there is a plant here that people grow into a wonderful hedge and this plant now mature looks nothing like it LoL I only call it the hopbush because that’s what the guy who sold them to me said it was called
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Such gorgeous blooms! I love your honeysuckle, it’s really exploded with flowers. Citrus can be finicky, happy one minute and pouting the next. I’m sorry you’re losing such an established tree.
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Hi Tracy, I am so pleased I did not give up on the honeysuckle and left it to its own devices. As for the tree, I just don’t understand what happened. WE’ve had a lot of rain…. maye too much.
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Good to read about your successes as well as the prickly decisions to have to take regarding plants in the garden. Looks like the winter rain has done your garden a lot of good.
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Hi Noelle, yep, some decisions and tasks can be very prickly at times.
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Just when I think youāve shared everything that grows in your gardens, up come a few new ones. What an amazing space you have there, Carole! Iāve been meaning to tell you that a Canadian nursing friend and world traveller/adventure seeker who Iāve known for many years is currently in Portugal. Sheās hiking the Portuguese Camino. Iām faithfully following her journey on Facebook and each time she posts, I think about you.
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Hi Terry, I think the Portuguese Camino is near the Spanish border? Porto way? I hope she is having a wonderful time and the weather is being kind for her. I do have a lot of plants. Some die, so I am always buying something new!
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Yes, She left from Porto, I believe, and I think the weather has been ok so far, Carole. She did all 800km of the Camino de Frances for her 70th birthday. Sheāll be 72 this summer. Quite a gal!
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How long had your orange tree lasted previously? Such a shame.
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H Lana, I think I planted it about 18 years ago.
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The flowering orchid cactus is really a beauty . It’s hard to identify the variety, but it’s always a pleasure to have one in the garden. Well done on the hydrangeas! I didn’t think you’d be able to grow them, thinking it was too hot where you live
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Hi Fred, yes the hydrangeas grow well here on the coast. We are lucky in that it does not get as hot on the west coast as other areas of the Algarve. These plants are not in full sun.
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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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that’s the only trouble with cacti LoL
We used to share a lot of plants through our local gardening group. Sadly, since COVID, the core member’s have either died, too old, or moved back to the UK.
As for the orange tree, I won’t plant another. That took about 18 years to grow.
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