End of the Month Update

The End of the Month meme has been suprisingly encouraging this month.  All the more so since I was beginning to be a little discouraged by the rather patchy look of everything at this stage.  It is difficult some days to see anything more in this brand new garden than plants randomly spotted in bare (or nearly bare) soil.  But if you look closely, everything is growing, there are some new plants, and the bit of hedge at least shows that some structure is in the mind of the gardener, if hardly visible in the garden so far.

Filling in doesn't happen overnight - or does it?  I am convinced that the Coral Fountain (Russelia equisetiformis) is taller than it was when planted a week ago.  And it is still sending out its spectacularly-coloured mini trumpets.

Also still blooming well is the Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii), which is proving a wonderful magnet for hummingbirds.  The plant has fallen open in the middle a bit.  There is new growth down at the center so I think all is well, but I do wonder whether I might be overwatering.  I have given it one or two light feedings as it's said to need extra nitrogen, Judging by the flowers, it's fairly happy!

And several plants are very quietly putting out new foliage.  The Emu Bush (Eremophila) shown at the top of the page (which I am now about 85% certain is the pink-blooming variety "Valentine") has a lovely dusky shade to the leaves; and yes, there are more of those leaves!  Even more difficult to "watch grow" is the tiny Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), but the branches with their needle-like, resinous foliage have lengthened and sent out new little needly leaves at the tips.  This is a very quiet plant; I don't know how else to describe it.  Perhaps when it finally puts out its little yellow daisies, it will have a different effect.  In the meantime, I am trying mainly to ensure that I don't pamper it.  It is a real desert native so too much coddling might prove fatal.

All the Ornithogalums are accounted for now.  I look forward to the flowers!

As well, there are the newest additions.  Fortnight lily (Dietes vegeta) went in just this morning, and I was happily surprised at the striking effect of its deep blue-green fans of foliage.  I look forward to the white-and-lavender, iris-like flowers, but those will come a little later...

Lastly, finally, a couple of lavenders.  Both are varieties of Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas).  They are "Blueberry Ruffles" and "Madrid", the one shown here; this is the only bloom stalk with any flowers open; "Blueberry Ruffles" is still a very young plant!  I love the deep colour; it will work well against the pale desert colours, I think.

  A big thank you to Helen at The Patient Gardener for encouraging us to take a good, comprehensive look round the garden once a month with this meme.  It all looks very patchy here, but everything is starting small.  I estimate that I have until early or mid-March to install plants, so that is mostly what I am focusing on.  In the meantime, I'm encouraged that the already planted ones are growing well.