2025/31 - Shades of the subtropics.

 Hello Singapore, hello Mexico!

You are on the other side of the world to me, but we have so much in common 😀 We are gardeners and wildlife lovers.

This morning I entered Hunky Dory at 07.30, through the heavy squeaky gate where the ripening brambles are bearing fruit now.

That early in the morning there is no one there, just the way I like it. The older I get, the less I enjoy the hustle and bustle of crowds. When I was young, I lived in London, and loved it. Hard to imagine now! 

When Puck and I did our early morning walkies at 05.30, we met a roe deer in the small meadow on the rampart. He (it was a male) saw us and froze. Fortunately Puck only scented it, because her eyesight is deteriorating. I so enjoy sightings like that!

But I know that in Singapore people think nothing of seeing families of otters patrolling the streets and parks. That is SO cool! And says a lot about how you treat animals.

The other wildlife I spotted today was a tiny spider (a gewone tandkaak) that was feasting on a dead bumblebee. I cannot imagine it had killed it, probably it was an opportunistic act.

Yesterday I watched Garden Rescue and heard that day-lilies are edible. Really? Frankly I don't dare try...

This is Hemerocallis Crimson Pirate, and I think they are much too lovely to eat!

The Lily in the middle is lovely, but it is the only one that survived the flooding of this bed in 2024.

You know that I adore roses, right, I have told you often enough 😊 The Desdemona and Schneewitchen both are on their second blooming now.

Gorgeous!

This shrub is a Mirte (Myrtus communis) or Myrrha. Apparently those lovely flowers are edible too. This is the first year that it seems happy to be in my garden. Last Summer I though I was losing it, so I pruned it back hard. Perhaps it is the long hot Spring of 2025 that revived it.

The Gaura is doing its best amongst the Crocosmia.

But this one...two years ago I had one flower. Last year I had one flower. This year there's...one flower. Rather disappointing.

That can't be said of the duo above! They have spread themselves all over the garden. The bees love them, so fine by me.

The apples are still rock hard. I'm hoping I can have a good harvest.

Out of an entire packet of seed, I have managed to grow 5 Zinnias. The rest succumbed to the sun and drought in the greenhouse, despite daily watering ... But: those 5 are lovely.

Well, I'll leave you with an overview of the pink/purple bed. Those Cosmea in the middle (not in bloom yet) are hot pink.

I hope you will have a great weekend, wherever you are.

Renée Grashoff