More head in the sand antics this week, nothing to see here, no doom and gloom, no worrying about the future. We must gain pleasure from what and where we can, at no cost to others, well that is my philosophy anyway. And something that gives me a lot of pleasure, is the garden. My garden, your garden, the garden over that wall over there or abutting the footpath. If that is where you get your pleasure too, not exclusively of course, we all have our other joys, then pop over and The Prop and The Gang will give you all you desire, in the plant department anyway. Not sure he can sort out the energy prices, but I wouldn’t put it past him. Shall we shake a leg?
First we have an annual that I haven’t grown before, Scaevola aemula, also known as the fan flower, for obvious reasons. It definitely won’t be last time I grow it as it has thrived and been beautiful, two worthy attributes. Another rescue from a supermarket “what do you mean we have to water plants” trolley.
An aubergine, Black Beauty to be precise, and she has a friend of similar size behind her. It is in my greenhouse. I love my greenhouse. The honeymoon period is far from over.
These sweet peas are very late to the party. They were rescued from death row and have had to have some intensive therapy to get back into the swing of things. As with all the photos this week, I took this picture in the rain and it is very blurry. I considered going out and trying again, until I remembered that I picked it. I will pretend that I used a romantic filter called Cartland.
Salvia uliginosa, Bog Sage, has struggled with the hot dry weather. It has now rallied admirably. Sky blue, one of my favourite colours.
This Salvia curviflora has been in flower for weeks. I have struggled to get a decent photo of it and still haven’t managed achieve anything even half good. You will have to use your imaginations and trust me that it is a wonderful bloom.
Finally, last week I had a complaint that all the photos looked the same, and I admit there were a couple of yellow daisy types in the mix. So especially for this undisclosed person, and you know who you are Peggy Heavens, here is a non-yellow daisy. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sahara’ to be precise.
That is your lot, my lovelies. Have a great week. Don’t let the beepers grind you down.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I love the Scaveola and I’m pretty sure it’s an Australian native. I’ve been looking for some to add to my up and coming ‘daisy’ garden. I’m a bit envious about that super shiny healthy aubergine. It’s a beauty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is interesting. I have been really impressed with it, very neat and pretty little plant and drought tolerant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are lucky to have such a nice Garden Mum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am! I’ve never grown them before. 😀
LikeLike
I love the Salvia curviflora and how nice to have an aubergine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve just cut the aubergines, not sure if it is too early but it said shiny and full colour and that is what it is. A bit diddy, but that is not always a bad thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A really lovely collection and I’m with you about your rescues. Supermarket plants on trolleys are usually dry and not looked after. You’ve done them proud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sue ☺️
LikeLike
Should be no complaints about things looking the same this week, but did the complaint make you up your game? Our local Morrisons is advertising for someone to look after the plants, I’m not in the least tempted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really like that fan flower, I don’t think I’ve seen one before. Always great to learn about ‘new to me’ plants.
LikeLike
I love this new annual that you presented to us this week: Scaevola! I didn’t know.
This aubergine looks appetizing, I’m growing a different variety this year ; mine are narrow and elongated when yours is short and “potbellied” ( I didn’t know that word ! 😂 ).
LikeLike
I have passed by Scaveola plants many a time, not being terribly impressed by them. I’m now inspired to try some in the garden! I agree with Jane that they are an Australian native. You have a lovely selection of Salvia in your garden. Salvia are a saving grace in the garden here as they are so tolerant of the heat and flower like crazy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love salvia, as does the gardener in the NGS garden I visited the other day. I now have a couple more. Hopefully they will flower soon and I can share them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m feeling decidedly ground down this week and needing pictures of gardens. Scaevola – you have identified some very pretty plants that I’ve been coveting in our local botanic gardens – I shall look for seed. I am envious of your aubergines – I have two plants, lots of flowers, but nary a fruit. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My aubergines took a while to set fruit, don’t give up. If they are in a greenhouse the pollinators might not have visited, the high temperatures have put them off.
LikeLike
First time I saw Scaevola aemula was in Australia – it is a native – but I have also seen it growing inside in the Eden Project Mediterranean biome and outside in a container in one of the NT gardens down here, but I have never seen it for sale. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sahara’ is rather lovely, I might have to give that one a try next year.
LikeLike
A lovely six. I’m particularly taken with the fan flower and the aubergines look most impressive indeed. The supermarket comment made me chuckle!
LikeLike
Black Beauty is impressive! Seriously, compared to your climate, this is a warm climate here. However, because nights get cooler than days, aubergine (which we know as eggplant) does not perform well. Individual plants generally produce one large fruit each, and a smaller secondary fruit, perhaps with a few dinky fruits at the end. It is not worth the bother. Outsiders think that this is a warm climate, but vegetables that appreciate warmth do not agree. Anyway, such big aubergine in your climate is not something I would expect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely selection of plants to distract us from the (insert pending crisis of your choice here). The aubergine looks good. Mine have been a little late this year but some are under way. I love the pink salvia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, colourful photos this week….as usual, of course. That salvia is such a deep pink, very nice. Meanwhile, although that aubergine is a thing of beauty, I’m afraid I don’t really like them, along with avocados and asparagus. You may think it’s an aversion to anything beginning with “a”, but I do really like apples 🍎 😋. I’m glad you are enjoying your greenhouse. Have you got your chair and coffee machine installed yet?
LikeLike
Funny, we were talking about a coffee machine yesterday! I love all of the a’s you mentioned, I’ll have yours. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ostrich I thought. What? Then the penny dropped. Lovely. The aubergine (not an ostrich egg) is superb, absolutely glorious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I rather like those fan flowers, and with a recommendation from you, I guess several of us may be growing them next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trying to work out if they are annuals or sold as annual because they are tender. I still have your little fuchsia here, I will make a massive effort to send it soon. Maybe there will be fan flower seed too ☺️
LikeLike
That would be lovely, but I read that most fan flowers are not fertile, and propagation is from cutting. I’ll look out for plants here, don’t worry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful mixture of plants and a great mix of colours too. I’m hoping to get a greenhouse next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😁 The greenhouse gang is a great gang to be in.
LikeLike