June and our False Bay garden

  

by Diana Studer

- gardening for biodiversity

 in Cape Town, South Africa

 

June has been chilly down to 5C overnight and wet 104 mm. A good rain year for June. Cutting back the 'dwarf' papyrus again, I found a disgruntled hippo. He would like to complain to management about the erratic garden service in winter. Not if it is wet. Or cold. Or busy with iNaturalist. 'There is MOSS growing in my ear!!'

 

MOSS in my ear!

Looking back at June for Through the Garden Gate Down by the Sea in Dorset with Sarah. Revelling in the winter sun for my breakfast. With Zoe happily twiddling her toes. (1. Need to prune the Brachylaena discolor, which has eaten next door's garage, again)

 

Revelling in winter sun

Thru the window I see many sunbirds on Albuca bracteata.

 

Albuca bracteata

Winter says aloes, and the buds are beginning to open (2. Another pruning task there)

 

Aloe buds opening

We have cut. And cut again. I think, we have foiled our rats. Buddleja salviifolia  is sprouting from the stubs and has sent out runners or seedlings. Coprosma repens, also branch by branch bit by bit, till they can NOT jump so far. We see more wall and neighbour, but it will green over again in time.

 

Pruning around the bird feeder

When summer returns, and I seek shade and coolth for breakfast, I will enjoy our freshly painted table. And the view down to the mountain (3. Again pruning needed - also for the lemon tree)

 

Summer shade with mountain view

Mid-winter roses appropriately named Iceberg.

 

Iceberg roses

Spanish bluebells, some from my English mother and some found here in the garden.

 

Spanish bluebells

I wanted to echo the central yellow on the plate. Found golden Portulacaria afra leaves, and Hypochaeris (or dandelion?) - glorious yellow but only last for a day.

 

June flowers in a vase

July will be pruning month.

 

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 Pictures by Diana Studer

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