10th APRIL 2017 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Mauve Wisteria and Yellow Rosa ‘Banksaei’, when grown
together are a marriage made in heaven. The colour combination only enhances
the delicacy of the flowers, usually very short lived in the spring garden. However, this year the gently warm weather of the past fortnight has extended
their moments of glory.
Wonderful Wisteria |
Rosa Bankseai socializing with the wisteria and Calla Lilies |
Can't resist another picture of Rosa Banksaei - Head Gardener's favourite! |
The sun has returned to the ‘Beiras’ (knew it would,
only patience required). The warm days, temperature in the high twenties by mid
afternoon and the close humid nights are persuading even the most tardy of
plants to explore the new season with a plethora of new shoots.
Roses, where not in flower, are well ‘budded’ and
should be resplendent in the next few weeks. The hybrid ‘Tea’ Roses are showing
numerous flower stalks with the promise of colourful magnificence in the hoped
for glorious sunshine of late April.
This rose is always the first to bloom |
And the rest are budding up nicely |
The Bearded Iris have turned the Spring terrace into
a sea of multi hued blues interspaced by the odd island of rich terracotta and
Imperial Yellow. Iris never fail to impress. Remember, to get the most prolific
flowering results, always ensure that the rhyzome is on the surface, which allows
the baking hot sun of mid-summer to encourage their best performance in the
following year. For even better results, lift and split Irises every three years
and pass the surplus on to a friend
.
Geraniums are already in flower in the sheltered
spots on the terraces. Decided to leave last year’s plants ‘out’ during this
winter (usually put in shelter of the Barn to avoid frost damage). The result
has been most promising as there would seem to be no detrimental effects (even
though the lows of zero to -2 degrees were recorded) and the plants are four
weeks ahead of their usual progress. The cuttings taken in January from these
parent plants are now established into strong specimens which are about to
flower alongside their antecedents.
Lots of geraniums already in flower |
Fuchsia (growing tips nipped out now will produce
flowers in six weeks – remember to feed), Cyclamen, Solanum and Lavender, have
quickly replaced the resplendent show of Tulips (now lifted and tied in bundles
to dry before replanting in late September).
The garden is full of the heavenly bouquet of Orange blossom, with the
added citrus notes from the Tangerine, Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit flowers (even
though these trees are still heavy with ripe fruit).
Fuchsia bursting forth |
This blue Solanum is competing for colour with the wisteria |
The Tulips were truly wonderful this year |
French Lavender is protecting the roses from bugs |
The container garden on the Belvedere Terrace is now
fully planted with prospective summer crops of Tomatoes, Aubergines, Green and
Yellow Sweet Peppers, Piri Piri (new plants, last year’s crop was on the five
year old and now very tired pensionable plants), Cucumbers and various colours
of lettuce (grown as a ‘catch crop’ amongst the maturing other planted
vegetables – saves container space and maximise use of water). Last Autumn's
Leeks are ready for use and being lifted and the ‘Winter’ onions are starting
to swell. Even a few Lettuce planted just after Christmas are still edible.
Produce and flowers showing enthusiasm for the warm April sunshine |
And there's more! |
The Dahlias seeded last year (Bishop’s Children) are
at their fifth leaf and looking healthy. New seeded bedding Dahlias are just
showing through, whilst the tuberous varieties are well in leaf. Now is the time
to feed and feed again if you want the best summer and autumn show.
Dahlia starting to spring forth |
Last year's Bishop's Children Dahlia |
Petunias are now ‘potted on’ and in flower. Their
‘Surfinia’ cousins are already burgeoning with growth and early flower ( pity
the colours of this fast growing variety are so dull compared with the
‘bedding’ strain – found a new White/Purple variety this year). Keep well
watered and feed twice a week for a ‘Summer Spectacular’.
Petunias - standard and surfinia brightening up the pati |
Following the protracted ‘Blossom’ season in the
orchard (due to the lack of late frost) the fruit trees all seem very well
endowed with fertilised blossom and embryonic fruit. Even the ‘Damascus’
Apricot is covered in a small but growing crop. Peaches are set for a massive
harvest (ever the optimistic Gardener) and the Apple trees all seem to have
enjoyed an over lapping blossom season. As there are three distinct fertilising
groups, it often creates a lack of cross pollination if their fecundity does not
overlap.
The heat is keeping the pores open today. Do we
sweat a little more each year or is it just imagination? (Or maybe it’s due to
the added years).
Have still to hear the coffee bell (or is that due hearing
deficiency).
There it
goes,
well must
dash or dehydration may get the upper hand (not only plants need a drink) –
see you soon.
Stuart
My god I never realized how beautiful rosa Banksiae and Wisteria would look togheter, I have to replicate your fotos some how. I Already have rosa Banksaei, I must get a wisteria soon! Thank you for your photos!
ReplyDeleteThey do look wonderful together. It has taken a few years to get the full effect but well worth wait!
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