COLOURS AND PERFUME - APRIL'S HERE

10^th 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

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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

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.

SO LITTLE TO DO - SO MUCH TIME!

10^th NOVEMBER 2014 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Four days of torrential rain, driving wind and low night and day time temperatures leave  a look of devastation in every sector of the garden at first inspection. Suddenly, whilst preparing for a further ten days of inclement weather, the sky clears and the sun miraculously appears in the firmament, temperature rises as if by magic into the low twenties and the sodden ground becomes instantly friable. Yes, this is a further chapter into the vagaries of gardening in Central Portugal in November.

Just the perfect day to plant a few rows of  Broad Beans for picking in late February. They love damp to wet ground and seem  to ignore totally the temperature variations.  The certainly make a dietary change from the culinary all pervading Cabbage of the winter months. The burden of Cabbage for the winter cook can be slightly alleviated by the wide choice of the varieties available. Those with a ‘Cast Iron’ constitution, and deviant taste buds, will enjoy the dark green striated leaves of the native Iberian variety.  This tastes mainly of ‘Iron’(so it must do wonders for the health of those who partake).

 However there are numerous other more palatable types available from large ‘Cannon Ball’ (perfect when blanched in boiling water and lathered in molten butter) to the pale ‘Eau de Nil’ of those designed specifically for salads and ‘Coleslaw’. The Portuguese ‘Red Cabbage’ is excellent for pickling or turning into the most unctuous of dishes to be served with the turkey at Christmas Lunch. ( Lightly boil, max.5 mins., the chopped cabbage leaves, drain, add brown sugar and a large glass of port, simmer for 30 minutes and enjoy), possibly just has the edge on Brussels Sprouts with chestnuts.

Having struggled with rock hard ground through the long hot summer, the plentiful supply of rainy days makes the earth easier to work, so take advantage of the brief respite between the thunderstorms due in the next two weeks and dig. Well-manured and deep-dug soil always produces the best results next season.  The effort instilled into the land now will ensure perfection in all garden departments from next March until late November.

First flower shoots are appearing on the Orchids. Just ignore and let nature take its course for the best results (maybe a very little water if the interior holding room is warm). Amaryllis are about to flower. Keep planting new bulbs for a long winter display. 

Pretty Spider Orchid getting ready to flower

First of the Amaryllis bulbs to enjoy through the winter months

Just picked the first Limes of the year. Expect they will continue to mature till end of January when the Lemon trees will be in full fruit. Tangerines and Mandarins should be ready for Christmas Stocking duty -  all well orange coloured - need a few weeks to become sweet. Orange trees are very heavy with fruit but leaves are starting to yellow.  Now is the time to sprinkle a  couple of handfuls of ‘Epsom Salts’ around the base of each tree (if in tubs spray on as a foliar feed for same result).

Tangerines getting ready for the Festive Season

Plenty of maturing Lemons

Todoay's harvest - Pomegranates, limes and those chillis - again!

Still picking Chillis - freezer full and can’t give them away anymore.  Must remember to cultivate half number of plants next year (maybe potting up the best plants to over winter undercover will reduce the pressure on the  propagator next spring). Buddleia cuttings taken four weeks ago are now growing, Fig cuttings looking healthy.  Lavender may fall to the ‘weed’ category if it keeps on out-performing expectations.

Note from Head Gardener - must insist on less chilli plants next season!

Buddleia cuttings below, Lavender cuttings above

It’s raining again, no ‘Brolly’ so will be rather wet by the time I can scramble up the terrace steps to the sanctuary of the Head Gardener’s coffee table

Must squelch,

see you soon.

Stuart.