SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS

21^st APRIL 2017 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Wall to wall sunshine, blue skies and temperatures in the ‘mid twenties’, forget spring this is definitely the start of a long hot and dry summer in the Beiras. Everything is very dry, despite a temperamental thunderstorm a couple of days ago and a most unusual bout of wind (the meteorological type not gaseous) during the night (big low over Spain and even bigger high of the west coast). Watering very early this year. Thank goodness the crops are in tubs so minimal supply required.

Roses are having a grand time this year. The lack of rain is allowing a long initial blooming time and the flowers are enjoying the chance to show their true majesty and amazing colours. The yellow Banksaei intertwined with the Wisteria (now coming to an end after four weeks of splendidness) are rampant and still full of new buds and are now joined by the ‘pinky-orange’ of  Honorine de Brabant ( climber with rambling tendencies). 

Banksaei and friend!

The hybrid tea roses are not to be eclipsed by these floribundas.  The ‘Bi-colour’ Kronenbourg  ( a sport of the wonderful Peace rose from the ‘40’s)  is magnificent and accompanies the deep cerise of the large flowered Madame Louis Laperrier ( this now grows through the fruit trees on the terrace and the flowers appear from 500mm to 2.5m in profusion).

Progress of Kronenbourg through one week

Madam Louis Laperrier

And, the Head Gardener's favourite -  the vibrant red Altissimo

Kniphofia, bearded  iris and roses have claimed the spring terrace. However, the orange and lemon trees (still full of last season’s fruit) are filling the air with the an exotic blend of their special perfumes. Again, the warm dry weather has encouraged masses of waxy cream blossoms which are already forming new fruit.

Kniphofia in companion with bearded iris

Elegant purple bearded Iris

Wish you could smell the heady scent of this orange blossom

Dahlias are well on their way to a spectacular early summer extravaganza. Delighted they have come back into fashion.  Here they have always been a favourite over at least the last sixty gardening years. Last year’s seeded Bishops Children have produced large tubers and are about burst into ‘Episcopalian’ largess.

Tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers, piri piri and lettuces are all growing well in their segregated tubs, which allows specific feeding and watering regimes for every variety (so if the crop is not ‘splendid’ in all cases will blame science and mathematics).

Lettuce progressing  nicely

Look carefully - you may  be able to see the first flower truss on this tomato plant

So on with the feeding and watering, staking and tying-in, pruning and dead-heading – keep shining sun with a heavy morning dew plus a little water – and plenty coffee, should make the garden a bit special this summer. Must keep going as the smile of the Head Gardener is the only reward required.

Must dash, 

loads to do,

 see you soon.

Stuart.