This morning I went to the Wellington Botanic Plant Sale with my cousin. It was raining, which pleased us. We hoped it would keep the fair weather gardeners at home, but it didn't. At 9.45 there was a large group of people waiting behind the cordon, wearing raincoats, sheltering under umbrellas, holding large empty boxes. I was surprised at how many young people there were. I was expecting an older crowd.
At exactly 10 o'clock the cordon was removed and there was a mad rush, a real elbow-shoving scramble to get to the plants before anyone else. The plant that everyone seemed to want was the fruit salad plant Monstera deliciosa, and there weren't many of them. It was easy to spot the people with the pointiest elbows, they were the ones carrying the fruit salad plants. I used to think that gardening types were more kindred, cooperative and well...agreeable. How wrong I was.
I was disappointed by the plants too. I expected more. More plants and more variety. It's a botanic garden for god sake, full of heritage plants and all those exciting exotic plants taken from distant corners of the globe by Victorian plant hunters. As far as I could see, there wasn't anything you couldn't buy at Bunnings. To be fair, indoor plant lovers had a lot to choose from. There was a marvellous selection of coleuses, which were fashionable in the 80s and then weren't. As were African violets, which are still waiting to make a comeback...who knows, maybe they'll be the next fruit salad plant if you know what I mean.
The 3 plants I bought at the plant sale.
I bought 3 plants. A jointed wire rush, also known as oioi or Apodasmia similis (attractive but common) and two Hibiscuses called 'Harry Boris' (what a great name). They will have dark orange/brown flowers in summer (can't wait).
Seeds at the 'Seed Swap'.
There was a 'Seed Swap' at the plant sale...which was a brilliant idea (well done WBG). I didn't have any seeds to swap so I gave a donation instead. I reckon there needs to a garden club where more agreeable gardeners (like the seed swappers) can swap seeds, cuttings and plants.
Luculia gratissima
Luculia gratissima
Yesterday, I went for a run in the Botanic Garden. It was a glorious day. I came across this Luculia gratissima, in the scented garden. The flowers smell like gardenias (the plants are related). I decided I had to have one and rushed home to order one online, when I realised, stupidly, that I already have a Luculia growing, two actually. I have the smaller growing Luculia tsetensis (Grandifolia) and I'm still waiting for them to flower (late autumn/early winter apparently). L. gratissima can grow up to 5 metres, but I reckon I can find the right spot for it in my garden. Who can say no to a pretty shrub that smells like heaven.
Here are a few plants looking stunning at the Wellington Botanic Garden, despite the rain today. It's winter in five days and most of the trees that provided autumn colour have dropped their leaves.
Aloe arborescens Candelabra Aloe.
Aloe plicatills Fan Aloe.
I think this is an Opuntia microdasys. The bunny ears cactus.
Agave flowers.
After the Plant Sale I went back to my cousins for a cuppa. She has an ornamental banana tree growing by her front door. Who would've thought a tropical plant would look so happy in Wellington.
My cousin's banana tree.
Here are a few photos of my cousin's pot plants. I think they're wonderful. My cousin is very creative.
A variety of succulents that my cousin is propagating.
A terrarium that my cousin made.
The cactus that my cousin gave me...now I have to find just the right spot...somewhere sunny and not too damp.
Here is vase of mine that I'm going to turn into a terrarium.
My cousin had a number of terrariums. I feel inspired to make one too. I have a glass vase and a book about terrariums from the op shop...now all I need is compost, gravel, moss and of course some plants. Botanygeek on Instagram makes beautiful terrariums...you ought to check them out.
And here's an update on my garden.
Malus 'Jack Humm', crabapple.
Birds are supposed to hate 'Jack Humm' crabapples...well they don't!
This particular wallflower has a delicate scent and flowers for most of the year. It's easy to grow extra plants from cuttings and it's happy to be heavily pruned. It's one of those simple workhorse plants that is perfect.
Erysimum 'Lilac Joy'.
Rose, Hybrid Tea, 'Barkarole', has decided to flower in late autumn.
It's winter in five days and Wellington has been plagued by storms, accompanied by gale force winds. Despite this, my climbing rose has decided to flower. It's called 'William Shakespeare 2000' 'Ausroyal'.
By the way, my cousin and I have formed a garden club. At the moment there are only 2 members. Does anyone else want to join?