I usually hang in there.
I can tolerate a bit of insect damage.
But I refuse to spray. There's too many anyway.
The unsightly foliage on the hollyhocks has worn me down.
Earwigs, flea beetles and who knows what else.......they all come in at different stages and do their own mutilation.
I will gradually remove them after they flower. The strangest thing is, the flowers are not affected. Go figure.
There is one in a pot with no damage at all.
The little critters have too many places to hide in the mulched garden beds.
The removal of all the hollyhocks will create huge spaces in the beds.
In fact that's a bit exciting really now I come to think of it.
What did I do with those catalogues!!
Very few undamaged rose blooms to be found at the moment.
Is that from aphids do you think?
Or heat? Or wind? Or lack of water?
So heartbreaking.
Newer buds don't seem to have this damage. Maybe pruning late has proved to be a good thing.
Just enough unspoilt ones for some pretty posies.
The little white-flowered grey-leafed plant ( snow- in- summer) has been perfect in the flower jars. It just adds a softness to the posies and is an ideal foil for the pink roses. Must dig it up and spread it around a bit to make sure there is always some out there next Spring.
Amy has been harvesting snow peas and lettuce.
She turned them into this......
Baked salmon and salad. Delicious. Thanks lovely girl.
Around the garden path today.
A rhododendron about to come into bloom....
Very exciting. Thanks Ibby. You gave us this.
Amazed to see still more shoots on the forgotten lilium scales.
Garlic bulbs....nearly ready to be harvested.
Apricots. Nearly a hundred according to Farmer Bill!
Beautiful Albertine ready to burst into bloom.
And pretty rose Veilchenbleu .....the first flower.
Amazing cloud formations tonight at dusk.
One of those 'take your breath away' moments.
It's been 40 degrees in Karratha.
Water and toddlers..... goes without saying.
Oh and a bit of mud just makes it fun. Red mud.
No words.....
Bless you little boys.
