False Bay garden in February twentyTutu

  

by Diana Studer

- gardening for biodiversity

 in Cape Town, South Africa

 

We always have some flowers and colour. Only one hibiscus flower - but that one is a bunch. Vivid orange Tecomaria against a deep blue sky. Yellow daisies, low shrubby Euryops and climbing Senecio. Bauhinia has one white flower so high up. Garlic buchu with lots of feathery flowers.

 

February garden flowers

I started on the hedge. The short side. Metalasia muricata, which volunteered, is covered in flowers.

 

Searsia crenata and Metalasia muricata

Iceberg is happy in flowers. For Through the Garden Gate. With Sarah in Dorset.

 

Iceberg rose

Took a lot off  the Brachylaena, but even standing right back in the corner I can't get it all in one picture. More to prune. We found me a garden kneeler / seat - which I need when I battle the dwarf papyrus which eats too much of Froggy Pond.

 

Brachylaena and Froggy Pond

Pink pelargoniums. Above is capitatum with soft velvety leaves. Below I think graveolens with a more herbal smell.

 

Pink pelargoniums

Since Diospyros whyteana has flowers, I can see why it is called bladdernut. Altho it is more squishy Chinese lantern than a hard walnut shell.

 

Bladdernut Diospyros whyteana

Streptocarpus in the pot is delighted to have more room and fresh compost. Those I planted out are finding life in the ground harder.

 

Streptocarpus

Edible banana is come 'ere and gimme a hug, the little one is coming up fast.

 

Banana

I went to investigate why I see bees at the bird feeder. After the doves and sparrows  have eaten most of the seed, the bees buzz their wings furiously to clear the chaff and leftover seeds which drift down. Then they carefully collect the flour and pack it on their saddlebags. We have made sure the bag of seed we choose has 'flour for the bees'.

 

Bees collecting flour from bird feeder 

Meanwhile the garden turns to autumn blues. Mauve Plectranthus, soft blue sky Plumbago and pure azure Anchusa capensis.

 

Turning to autumn blues

I invite you to join us at Elephant's Eye on False Bay. Please subscribe as you prefer

via Feedly,

or my Facebook blog page

 

Pictures by Diana Studer

of Elephant's Eye on False Bay

 

Teal blue text is my links.

To read comments if you are in a Reader,

first click thru to the blog)

 

Thanks for comments that add value. Your comment will not appear until I've read it. No Google account? Use Anonymous, then please include a link to your own blog. I welcome comments on posts from the last 2 months.