Frosty nights, but gloriously sunny days, so my balcony garden has woken up. I have taken a chance on the weather and dared to hang up the planters on the railing again. It could mean a dash in the night to take them down again when there's a storm brewing, but I'll see it when it gets here.
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Blossoms from the street |
The many blossom trees in my neighbourhood have woken up too, lovely!
I woke up at 6 a.m. as is my habit, and was greeted by a gorgeous citrussy scent, so I thought wow, that blossom smells divine! Until I noticed that Puck had molested my lemon pelargonium...Her breath smelled very un-doggielike for the rest of the day, which was good, but I watched her like a hawk to see if she would not suffer any ill effects. Fortunately she didn't.
This morning I watered the balcony plants, and saw that many of them have started growing. 75% Of my pelargoniums have survived the winter, which is bloody marvellous!
I did buy some forget-me-nots, as I adore that colour blue. I have combined them with pelargoniums (bloodred) and aubretia Antique Rose Imp (pink), so that I have some colour.But there are also creamy white primulas, the ones on a stem. They are next to the Maroccan mint, bergenia, astilbe, parsley, thyme and sage in the ground planter. By the time that mint takes over the primulas are past their prime anyway.In one of the railing planters there are a few digitalis which have self-seeded. That will be interesting to watch when they grow...
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Stipa and Pelargoniums as well as ....? |
Because the veg did quite well on the balcony in 2024, I planted some endive next to the grape hyacinths. When the gh are spent, I will put a cucumber in as well.
And I also have a sugarsnap, for the first time. Let's see how that fares. I have one in Hunky Dory as well, so I can compare their performance.
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Endive to the left, bulbs to the right |
There is rapeseed behind the sugarsnap to try to lure the pollinators. I tried some runner beans in 2019, but I had exactly one bean...
The salvia and fuchsia are showing signs of life, and the mini rose is looking promising.
But what is the star at the moment is the yellow wallflower. From a small plant two years ago, it has practically taken over the entire trellis planter. Totally crowded out my white grape, that is a shame. But the clematis is putting out new growth as well, so that doesn't mind that wallflower one bit.
Isn't she cheerful?!
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The purple clematis |
I am really looking forward to the next few months. My gardens never cease to uplift my spirits.
I hope you will have a great weekend, wherever you live. Especially you over there in Singapore, Hong Kong and Mexico though! You are my best readers at the moment, thanks very much. I would dearly love to visit your gardens. Perhaps one day...
Greetings,
Renée