Mandy in Oz

Spring....the blossoming of all things.

Amongst the weeds, along my overgrown path :)

The grand old dame is getting ready for spring, dressed in her usual flamboyant fashion :)

Is absolutely gorgeous, when you live here.  Still balmy, yet without that intense humidity that summer holds, for those in the subtropics.  I've been lavishing some much needed attention on my gardens in the last few weeks, and they have repaid me very well indeed. After weeks of relentless rain, my roses, which have been languishing for quite some time, have really put on a show.  An added bonus - I finally discovered what *that tree* is - for the first time in the four years we've been here, my Golden Penda is in full bloom - the Rainbow Lorikeets love it!  Apparently these trees have non-invasive roots (phew!), can grow to 20 odd metres in the wild (they're a rainforest species, native to Australia), but generally grow to a maximum of 10 metres in cultivation.  Looks like we'll have quite a lovely shade tree, in a couple of years time :)

It's actually a great month in the garden, here in the 'sort-of' subtropics.  I say sort of, because we do actually get a little colder here than what I would consider 'strictly' subtropical - runs of below zero early morning temps in mid-winter aren't uncommon.  So anyway, April in Blackstone - it's not too hot, not too cold, not too rainy or windy, nor too dry.  Sounds kind of bland....but actually, it's quite lovely.  I've been getting some gardening done in fits and starts, nowhere near enough to have my garden looking 'neat', but enough that the plants are outcompeting the weeds.....for now ;) So, onto the pics. tarragon and lavender A wee lizard, sunbaking on the mulch A crucifix? orchid Crepuscule...amazing, disease resistant rambling rose Pretty sure this one is Just Joey Central garden bed, from upstairs Queen Elizabeth (I think) Red Pierre de Ronsard The Sookie monster