mid-august 2012 garden thoughts and pics

The garden is beginning to waken from its light winter nap. Growth barely stopped, especially weed growth, but now that spring is getting close growth is speeding up in breathless anticipation. We have had masses of rain, some very cold days, but also a few lovely warmish days. Typical Melbourne, several seasons in one day sometimes.

The rabbit has moved and is now guarding another bed. This triangular bed is near the front gate - hope she doesn't make a hop for it.

Believe it or not, this miniature feather duster pretends to be a clematis flower! I have learned to accept it if not to truly love it, and it is an ever present reminder never to (a) buy things from a stranger with a wily smile and (b) buy flowering plants when they're not flowering.

The brilliant lime green flowers of this Euphorbia shines brightly for a very short while, until it stops its decadent decorative play and gets down to the serious work of seeding the next generation.

 For years I've been wanting a Flowering Quince in the garden, but desisted because I didn't know where it would go. Then I thought I found a spot, and bought three. Several months later, one has been given away to a friend and the remaining two are occupying their fourth and hopefully final holes ..?? I think I like this somewhat unusual combination of delicate white blossom against brown tea tree bark.

Swan River Pea, or Gastrolobium celsianum, is flowering prolifically at the moment, to the delight of the nectar feeding Wattle Birds.

I spend years trying to work out a structure for the garden. In between the 'bones' volunteer plants fill the spaces nicely, especially when it's wet like it has been recently. Here's a garden posy presented to me by Lady Nature. All I had to do was frame it and photograph it.

Here's a change! These rocks were on the nature strip, or verge, as it seems to be called these days.  They looked great, but I worried someone might hurt themselves. So J. moved them for me, and they now can be used as seating, for children to play, or for their simple rock appeal.

When I ordered that pine mulch a while back, I scattered quite a bit on this bed, and the result has been quite alarming. What you see in this pic are super - plants. Giant opium poppies, giant love-in-the-mist, giant California poppies. Since these are self seeded, what I am wondering is: will these lovely delicate wildflowers resume their original nature next generation, or have I inadvertently started a new breed of huge gross plants?

A pink Valerian poses modestly in front of self seeded Echiums and Love in the Mists.

The foliage in lots of trees and shrubs, native and exotic, has thinned out. Word has got around the possum world that this gardener is a soft touch. My garden =  Possum Refuge. And clearly the fruit and vegetable content of the compost pile is no longer enough.

I'm linking this to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.