Six on Saturday – Arrival

Posted byofftheedgegardeningPosted inChez Nous, Six on SaturdayTags:, , , , , ,

It cannot be denied that I have been a little distracted of late. In fact it has been previously noted. I wish I could say there were noble intentions afoot, that I’ve been performing the complete works of Gilbert and Sullivan at the home for delinquent seniors or knitting ponchos for orphan lambs, but no. Selfish to a fault. It cannot be denied, m’lord, I have been navel gazing. Do not lose hope; we may be at a turning point in my self-obsession. Yesterday, eventually, after much wailing and head bashing, our house sale was completed. Feel free to set a taper to the firework display you have been saving for this very ocassion. If necessary, a sparkler will suffice. Someone who will undoubtedly not care a jot about my personal life is maestro Prop, whose consciousness is busy with all kind of important bulb and seed issues, with perhaps a little judicious seasonal pruning. And of course SoSing. Check him and our gang out, it will definitely be educational and you might well find some sunshine. This week’s six are neither colourful nor in focus, but it seems I am on a slightly off kilter road at the moment. Let’s shake a leg, or there will be complaints from the management.

First we have Phyllostachys aurea, the golden bamboo, in a particularly notable blue sky. I believe this is called pathetic fallacy to those who enjoy wordy definitions. Whatever it is, it was very welcome.

Next a frazzled leaf of Geranium maderanse ‘Guernsey White’. Serves you right for poking your paw out from under the fleece. Don’t worry, the rest of the plant is quite plump and healthy ready to crack into action later in the year.

Now the raddled trunk of our rosemary, under which was the lounging place of choice for our dear departed Charlie Cat. A soft heart has saved this whale of a herb. There is nothing wrong with a bit of sentimentality.

Onto the remaining stamen from the still flowering Tibouchina urvilleana, which is yet to be protected from the elements. I am slightly shamed by this lack of care, slightly proud of the shrub’s resilience. As we know pride comes before a fall. I, and possibly the tibouchina, are bound for a plummet. It is also a particularly poor photograph. Lose, lose.

Next, a phormium, grown from seed by a client/friend in Bristol. To my shame I rarely acknowledge it except in winter. After 14 years I think I should acknowledge this as a trend.

Now Helichrysum bracteatum, which it seems, is truly everlasting. Whilst much of the plant is frost-induced sog, it is making an admirable effort to flower again. There is possibly a lesson for us in this; I will leave you to ponder it.

That is it, another week passed in our seemingly unrelenting crawl towards spring. Stay well and safe, my friends.

39 thoughts on “Six on Saturday – Arrival”

  3. Whoopie. I’ll crack open a celebratory bottle and poor you a glass. Then I’ll drink it on your behalf. I’m so kind, wot? Seriously, good luck with all the attendant upheaval.

    I’m looking forward to your (socially distanced) housewarming.

    My garden is hopeful of better care. I am not letting it read this post. 🥴

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  4. Just have a look at my Six-on-Saturday if you want to see poor focus – I can beat you any day. You have some lovely colours, especially the sky but I don’t suppose you can take any credit for that. Meanwhile, best wishes for your move, although I imagine that’s a while yet.

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  6. Oh, the traumas of a house sale, you have to wonder why any of us do it more than once. Glad you are at least over one hurdle and I hope you have somewhere to move into? When we sold our flat it was a mad dash to find a rental to move into, not as easy as one would have thought! Next comes decluttering, packing, and lots of decisions – bin, keep, charity shop (although they are possibly not even open). No more time for navel gazing. And which of your lovely plants are going with you?

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  7. Was it the wailing & head-bashing that finally closed the sale? In any case, here’s another raised glass, more than half filled, which I’ll drink to you later this evening.
    That’s a super bamboo and blue. I may attempt to copy you if ever such blue arrives to these parts.

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  10. GOLDEN BAMBOO?! Is that not considered to be a terribly aggressively invasive weed?! If not, I will not feel so badly about growing some of it myself. It appeared in one of the landscapes a few years ago. When we did ‘vegetation management’ there, we removed small bits of it that strayed from the primary colony, but left the primary colony where it grows along the top edge of a retaining wall. (I would not mind so much if it stays confined there.) I discarded most of what was removed, especially since some had been partly eaten by gophers. However, about nine were too healthy and pretty to discard. I canned them instead. I suspect that the growth that is on them now can be cut back as new growth develops. The problem now is what do do with them if they survive.

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  12. I’ve seen seed of variegated Phormium offered a few times and always assumed they would simply grow green. Chimaeral variegation shouldn’t be possible from seed should it? Now I’m going to have to get some and try, and I don’t even like Phormium much.

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  13. Well done on publishing a post when you have so much on your plate. Lots to think about ahead for you. Are many of your plants undertaking the move with you? And do you have a large garden to go to?
    The phormium’s stripes are almost tailor made, so perfect are they. Obviously polite disdain is the way to go.

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  15. Is the picture of the Phormium leaf a metaphorical representation of the straight lines ahead in your life now? No bumps showing, smooth and strong with bright colour on both edges, pointing straight into the distance? What a relief your sale is through…courage now for the déménagement.

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  16. I’m also joining the poor focus gang this week. And like Jude, I’m curious to know how many plants you will be moving on. Wishing you well with the next step. BTW for me the tibouchinia (did I spell that right!) was the winner, so delicate and a lovely colour.

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