Allium 'Millenium'

 Allium nutans x senescens 'Millenium'

This onion family member (Alliaceae/Liliaceae) has been in flower for about six weeks with its lavender coloured spheres carried on strong stems emerging from a clump of strap shaped leaves which resemble garlic chives, though they are more glossy green than chives in appearance. I am anticipating it will have some 'down time' during the cooler months ahead with the foliage shriveling or turning yellow and needing a haircut at ground level. As this is a cool temperate climate bulb tolerant of snowy winters ,originating from Allium breeder Mark McDonough in the United States, it remains to be seen how it will perform in the coming year. I am hoping it may find a place as a flamboyant substitute for Tulbaghia, the 'society garlic', which has smaller flowers.
2017 update: I am currently sold out of this.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums in cottage garden planting

Last Friday when I was at the plant market there were thousands of Chrysanthemums for sale, many of which end up being planted in the garden as they are very hardy and undemanding perennials. While most of the ones sold are either yellow or white, I think the pink, maroon or golden brown coloured ones are easier to accommodate in a planting scheme. The pink one pictured above is hiding the bare legs of a rose bush while the maroon is matched with blue Easter daisies and silver foliage plants. All they need for maintenance is for the spent flowers to be cut off and to be dug up every few years and divided when they become too crowded.

First frost

A blue morning for Roxy

The ute, a solid block of ice at dawn

Waking up on a still bright frosty morning in the country is a bit of a novelty for anyone who lives on the coast. It is remarkable to see the landscape so blue and white. Before leaving to head west I did the mad scramble to find warms things to wear. It was needed.

Arctotis daisy

Cold? nah!

Furry dandelion leaves

Goodbye summer pumpkins as the big leaves turn black