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.

MORE BLUE SKIES FOR CHRISTMAS

 22^nd December 2014   Central Portugal

Glorious clear blue skies, wall to wall sunshine, frosty mornings but 20 degrees by noon – the wonder of a Portuguese Christmas. The meteorological fluke which always seems to produce brilliant weather in Portugal for the Festive Season has stuck again. Forget about the rain, fog and grey skies of October and November and revel in the bright warm sunshine that returns the terrace to the perfect place for ‘Gin n’tonic O’Clock. (11am to 3pm ,forget lunch but have a ‘Big’ breakfast to absorb the effects of the ‘Falling down water’).

 Kniphofia, Brugmansia, Solanum, Roses,  Fuchsias, Cyclamen, Pansies all in full triumphant flower, even the first signs of tulips and snow drops poking through the ground;  paraphrasing the words of ‘Morrisons’s’(for the world outside of UK TV this is among the many Supermarkets vying for the Festive trade) Christmas TV commercial - ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ (and very early Spring , was that a Cuckoo calling in the distance?). 

Love our Red Hot Pokers

Amazed by the sudden appearance of red berries on the Holly trees (Trees being a bit of an exaggeration as they are only 500mm high even though they are entering their tenth year, but ‘berries’ are a first this year). The Piri Piri plants are still demonstrating their ‘Phallic’ tendencies with their bright red up-right fruit still a focal point in the upper garden (more posh than ‘Backyard’).

Piri piri still wowing us

 Cuttings taken in October, Buddleia (yes, you either love it or hate it, here it is ‘much beloved’ of the Head Gardner in the Pale Blue, Sugar Pink, Sparkling White and Dark Purple varieties), Lavender (Hidcote, French and the local ‘Giant’ variety), Brugmansia and Fig, are all growing well and the Strawberry plant cuttings are preparing to flower. Geraniums seem stable and unaffected by the cold nights.

Had to buy some Olives  - as usual, the crop failed this year (again).  Have had long and in depth conversations with the trees regarding their imminent demise (might compromise and just tolerate a further year of un-fruitful activity) -perhaps the wrong tone of voice has been used previously. This time a more vigorous use of expletives seemed appropriate.

No Mistletoe in evidence this year so minimal opportunities for snatched amorous adventures under the light in the hall. Will just have to surreptitiously remove mince pies by ‘sleight of hand’ from the cooling down tray in the kitchen where the Head Gardener is currently ‘cultivating’ her many wonders of culinary magic (using much of the previous seasons bounty, note on behalf of the ‘garden labour’ squad).

Hearing sleigh bells again, must be the Head Gardener Fairy (definitely not Gnome) short of some special ingredient -  hope it’s Chillis- have got lots of those still to pick.

 Must dash, hoping for coffee soon, 

Merry Christmas and a Horticulturally 
Happy New Growing Year.

Stuart.