All around, the signs of winter are about. In about a week we will have passed the Winter Solstice and our days will start to become longer. Ironically, though, we have most of our cold weather ahead of us.
At the front of our house, right by the footpath, is a large tree that we inherited with our block. I don't know what kind it is, but each year we watch it and know winter is almost upon us when it is bereft of all leaves.
 |
| Almost bare - only a smattering of leaves cling doggedly to the branches |
In our back garden, the Crepe Myrtle along the western boundary is bare whilst its sisters on the eastern boundary still carry a large number of leaves, albeit in varying hues.
 |
| The russet tones of this Crepe Myrtle create their own beautiful story. |
Surprisingly, the leaves on the branches at the top of these two Crepe Myrtles are still quite green and almost appear to be from a different shrub.
 |
| As the leaves in this Crepe Myrtle diminish, the fuchsia hanging from its branches receives more sunlight. |
|
|
|
I don't know why it is that these three Crepe Myrtles, all in the same garden are shedding their leaves in such a different time-frame. The only explanation I can come up with is that I believe those on the eastern side of the garden are more modern cultivars, which flower a little later and this may account for the differences. The Crepe Myrtle on the western boundary is also in a much more exposed position which may be another contributing factor.
Today I spotted a nest. I am not sure that it is a new construction, it may be that I just haven't noticed it before. I believe it belongs to a local family of Noisy Miner Birds and would be why I have seen these tenacious birds defending their "turf," or should I say tree, against other much larger and stronger birds such as Crimson Rosellas, Magpies and Rainbow Lorikeets who like to eat the nectar from a neighbouring tree.
My tumeric has begun to go dormant and soon all above-ground growth will have disappeared. The Canna Lilies are showing similar tendencies.
 |
| Tumeric entering the dormant state |
A few months ago my Magnolia "The Fairy" had lots of healthy green leaves and the beginnings of flower buds.
 |
| Magnolia "The Fairy" a few months ago |
 |
| Magnolia The Fairy in June 2014 |
I am not sure whether this is a normal stage of this shrub dying back for winter and shedding a few leaves or whether it is something I should be worried about. This kind of magnolia is not deciduous.
True to its name, Endless Summer Hydrangea, Twist N Shout is putting out a last hurrah (sorry, bad pun). The leaves are darker and more mottled than they were before and I am wondering if this may be mild sunburn. Even though the sunlight is much softer at this time of year, the angle of the sun is lower and reaches under the trees.
 |
| Endless Summer Hydrangea Twist N Shout in June 2014 |
 |
| Endless Summer Hydrangea Twist N Shout in February 2014 |
The roses have not yet closed down for winter. In Sydney the overnight temps are falling but we're still a fair way above zero Celcius so no frosts so far.
I've thought in the past that it might be nice to live in North America for a while and experience a climate where their whole garden is frozen over for quite a few months of the year so I'd have a couple of months free of weeding and the more mundane gardening chores but looking around my garden, there are so many bright and cheerful spots created by those marvellous winter flowering wonders and I realise just how lucky we are to live in a temperate area.
 |
| Brilliant Pink Iceberg |
 |
| Neptune, just love how those centre petals are gently unfurling, accompanied by a heavenly fragrance |
 |
| Blueberry Hill |
 |
| Blueberry Hill - Love the way the berry colours swirl and mix and mingle |
 |
| The Poincettia is starting to colour up as the weather gets cooler |
 |
| This is a pink variety |
 |
| The leaves on this Coleus are simply massive |
 |
| This stowaway,came in as a passenger on the Blueberry Hill roses I cut to bring inside |
No comments:
Post a Comment