I have spent the past few months of lockdown digging up the backyard and clearing tons of rubble so I can finally garden there but that is a post in itself which I'll make when the project is complete so May is just about enjoying the winter flowers. Although we are only 17 days away from the winter solstice, it's possible to garden winter and summer in my climate.
First off though, I got a package yesterday after making a lucky buy through Facebook on Monday. I say lucky because I saw the sale post by chance and managed to secure the plants which were offered at a very good price before anybody else did. I'll keep some and resell some of them for a profit easily once they are rooted and settled.
Some extremely collectable Haworthias: four H. maughnii and two H. sprinbokvlakensis
All potted up, they will spend the rest of the winter in my bathroom and I'll harden them off to outside life in 2 months time.
Winter is time when most aloes bloom
Aloe Hedgehog is a hybrid
Aloe vanbalenii is a beauty, with tall flower stalks and the plant itself is red in winter
Aloe arborescens
Leontis flowers emerging. These plants supply nectar for and are pollinated by sunbirds. I really enjoy seeing these beautiful little birds although they are impossible to photograph with my crappy camera
Plectranthus thrives in my garden to the point of being invasive but the flowers are really photogenic. The first picture is of the bud and the second once it's open
Mesemb flowers are also a welcome sight, this is a Rabiea species. They are much lover by the smaller solitary bee species although honey bees don't pay any attention to them
The jade trees are also all flowering now
Rose geranium is another favourite with the bees
Posted as part of @simplymike's garden challenge, which you can read about here
Plectranthus! I think I have it and I never knew what is it's name. The plant has very intensive smell, doesn't it?
Also the FB treasures look great :)
Yes they smell a little like sage plants. People here believe that growing plectranthus repels snakes. The flowers are typical.
Yep, the facebook plants were great to find. I also got some more seeds and he sent some freebie Amaryllis seeds that I'll plant too
Looking at these pictures, I would say that you don't have a little garden. What you have is a whole botanical garden. I exchange it for a piece of asphalt on my sidewalk ... Seriously, beautiful specimens and many unknown to me. Best regards
Thank you! Best regards to you too
A lot of lovely new plants. I didn’t know there were so many different aloes.
If Plectranthus repels snakes then that’s the one I want just in case one comes by.🙂
There are many aloes than this around. Somehow I don't think the plectranthus works, I have a few snakes around.They are harmless and I'm happy to see them from time to time
Great Desert plants for enjoy without a lot of water
Yes, that's needed in my dry garden
Wow! Your garden is looking awesome with so many flowers and cacti. It’s so nice to sit among your plants!
Thanks! It's still very much a work in progress
Congratulations on the new plants!
It is always joyful!
I liked your garden.
Good luck in growing and I'm waiting for new photos!
Thankyou! Yes, there is nothing like new plants and I got some seeds as well that I will sow
I will be very interested to see the results!
Good seed germination! :-))
What beautiful plants friend. I see that you work a lot at home, I'm glad that you can make an effort to keep your patio and garden beautiful with so many plants.
Thank you