Well what a fizzler December turned into.
It started with anticipation of a flight to Sydney to spend Christmas with our son. Busily downsizing pots and preparing the garden to look after itself for a week. Booking our flights and letting the family know our plans.
THEN….
A week before we were due to leave, Sydney had an outbreak of covid. 2 people quickly escalated to 38. Sydney was declared a “hot spot” and the borders were once more closed. On a global scale those figures are minuscule. But seeing how it can so quickly spread I am proud of how our leaders take the initiative to act hard and strong.
So, 3 days before leaving, we cancelled our flights and now have credit vouchers to use some time in the future. What uncertain times we live in. Many people were affected and many plans for family get togethers had to be put on hold, as has been the case all around the world.
But Christmas day dawned with perfect weather and we spent a quiet day together, skyping my family in New Zealand, friends in UK and phoning family and friends in Australia. I actually really enjoyed the day.
We also started a new garden project during Christmas week. Having planned to be away we now had spare time on our hands. We have turned our attention to the long neglected front border. An area that has been allowed to go feral. originally planted with native Grevillea, banksia, bottle-brush and a variegated fig pushing its way through any gaps the undergrowth area has become colonized with spiky broms, strappy dietes leaves and many other unknown species of plants battling for survival.
A bird of paradise plant has spread to dominate part of the area and agaves make a structural statement along the road frontage. The stately Poinciana tree spreads its ferny branches over the top of all this area and glows with the fiery red of its flowers through the summer months.
So with glove protected hands and armed with secateurs and clippers we battle it for control. The pruned branches go through the mulcher machine and the rest is chopped up to make a thick layer of clippings. As you can see in the photo below, there is still more clearing out to be done. Then I will cover it with compost and a thick layer of sugar cane mulch. Then wait for it all to settle and break down before deciding what plants to put in there. Maybe more native ground covers that can survive in the shady dry area under the trees. Any suggestions? Jack also wants to put another seat in there, so, over the next few months, we will have the enjoyment of visiting op shops and garage sales to search for something appropriate.
After a very dry November, actually no rain. December was a joy for this area. 571mm spread out over the month I was ecstatic when I thought we were going to be away for a week as the garden was beautifully wet and has needed no extra watering. But some areas further north and west had too much rain with floods, strong winds and hail.
I have long wanted and searched for a dwarf gum tree and this month Bunnings had some in. They were $58 and I had a struggle with my conscience paying so much for one tree. But I know I will treasure it.
Our mango tree has FINALLY produced a crop of fruit. We have been here 22 years now and this will be the first time we have harvested any fruit from it. But most of the mangos were on the other side of the tree and hanging over the fence into next doors garden.
Last night I heard the ominous sound of bats squeaking and scrabbling around in the tree. So I went round this morning and sure enough, can you see the half eaten one? And others were on the ground. So the neighbor and I picked and shared them between us.
They love gardening too and have a mango tree round the other side. I few days ago I saw our resident king parrots having a feed too. So we have left the higher ones for the wild life to feed on.
That’s not all that has been eaten this month. The caterpillars are back stripping the Pentas plants. This is the before and then after the invasion…
But I don’t mind as when they have all changed to butterflies I love to see them flying around the garden and with a good prune the pentas quickly regrow and flower again.
Finally here is a look at what is flowering this month.
**********************************************************************************************
It has been a difficult year for so many and we are now all pinning our hopes on the vaccine and hoping that next year it will bring back some normality.
https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2020/12/31/the-changing-seasons-december-2020/
I only contribute one post a month and I would like to thank the lovely and talented Su (zimmerbitch) for hosting this monthly challenge. Her post for December is beautiful, filled with gorgeous photos and thoughts of the year that was so difficult, but Su has certainly been able to find good and beauty in every month. It encourages me to gather my thoughts every month and be able to look back over the 3 years I have been keeping this virtual, monthly diary.
Thank you to all the blogging buddies from around the world that pop by to wander around the garden every month and I do appreciate the comments that you leave. I wish you all health and happiness for 2021.
So lovely, the garden you share with us, Pauline. And always kind and positive thoughts for your visitors. Especially the birds and caterpillars that steal your flowers and fruit. 🙂 🙂 This world is meant for sharing, isn’t it? Thank you for being a lovely presence in my blogging world, and wishing you and Jack and healthy and happy 2021!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you dear Jo. Blogging has certainly been a positive presence during 2020 and I think it has helped many of us stay motivated. I love the connection all around the world. Yes it is about sharing and I do enjoy strolling with you, virtually around your beautiful part of the world you now call home. 🥂👍here’s best wishes for 2021
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pauline I enjoy your blog and the comments so much that I wast to take this opportunity to wish you and all your blogger friends all the very best in the coming year. 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks jack. I love your participation
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about the cancellation of your Sydney trip but sounds like you have made the best out of the situation. Your garden continues to provide pleasure – especially those mangoes! Cheers to both of you for a brighter and kinder New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully the Sydney trip will be back on again “sometime” …We have also, optimistically booked an art retreat to Tasmania for November and another art retreat to Tyalgum in July. Oh well one lives in hope. HNY May
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear Pauline and Jack, for a year’s worth of lovely photos and cheerful jottings. It’s not been the happiest year, but your optimism and the beauty you’ve shared have been wonderful bright spots. Wishing you both all the best in 2021! xx 🍾 🥂 🎉
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is such a lovely comment Del. This past year it has been our crafts, creativity and gardens that have kept us motivated and here’s hoping the vaccine can work it’s magic and give us back more normality
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pauline! 😘
Yes, we need to get out of this testing time and put resolve for better and fairer living into reality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll second that 👍💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love visiting your beautiful garden, you and Jack never stop making plans! It is wonderful that you are such a generous gardener and happy to share your bounties with the visiting wildlife. I am sure they appreciate your selflessness. Wishing you and Jack all the best for the future.
Jude xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have hopes that you may one day actually visit over here jude. But in the meantime I appreciate you coming for a virtual stroll. Yes we are always changing things around, it never gets boring
LikeLike
I love to see your garden, Pauline! And the wildlife around you certainly enjoy it! Sending you and Jack best wishes for 2021
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best wishes to you too sue. The wildlife is certainly a joy to watch in the garden. Hoping the vaccine helps you all in the UK to get the virus under control
LikeLike
Thank you, Pauline
LikeLiked by 1 person
The garden is always beautiful! You and Jack tend to it so well. The bird visitors and caterpillars are neat too, and I’m glad the Pentas plant will bloom again.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Deborah hope you are having a good festive season. Those Pentax are real survivors, in fact they come back even better after a good prune
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Bats?! Well, at least they were not wallabies!
Is that new eucalyptus a Eucalyptus ficifolia? I will be planting a small Eucalyptus sideroxylon tomorrow.
LikeLike
G’day Tony i would be happy to share with wallabies, even the birds are welcome, but not bats. Yes it is a eucalyptus ficifolia, I have seen them in flower and they are stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of the neighbors here put out bat houses to attract bats. They do not eat fruit, but are appreciated for eating mosquitos. I do not mind them because I do not see them. They start flying around late in the evening, when it is too dark to see them.
Eucalyptus ficifolia is one uncommon, but still one of the more practical eucalypti here. The bloom color of old trees is quite variable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is the big fruit bats around here. They are a protected species but are real disease carrying pests and gather in large smelly colonies. Definitely not encouraged. I have the red flowered dwarf species. I’ve seen them in full flower and they are quite spectacular. Hope you have a safe and happy 2021
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year!
It is just past midnight and fireworks are keeping me and Rhody up. Rhody is terrified of the noise.
I am not aware of a dwarf Eucalyptus ficifolia, but the only species here is quite compact, so may be the same thing. Perhaps the non-dwarf species was never imported.
LikeLike
Poor Rhody, I always feel sorry for the animals during fireworks. 🥂happy new year to you Tony
LikeLiked by 1 person
He forgot all about it by morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I see on a quick ‘Google’ search that there are dwarf cultivars. That is different from what I am familiar with, but may be available now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the dwarf varieties are fairly new to the market and that’s why they are so expensive
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes; and some of them must be grown from cutting or grafted, which is a bit of extra work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes they are grafted
LikeLiked by 1 person
Impressive! I know that has been done for a while, but it amazes me that eucalypti are conducive to grafting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it looks so healthy and sturdy too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eucalyptus ficifolia is such a nicely stout tree as it matures too. I probably already mentioned that the few that live here are not cultivars, so are somewhat variable with their floral color. Nonetheless, they are well structured trees, and contrary to the generalization that eucalypti are structurally deficient. Their bloom is remarkable.
Two eucalypti that I would like for my own garden (besides the four that are in the landscapes at work, and the two blue gums here) are Eucalyptus torquata and Eucalyptus caesia. I like Eucalyptus torquata because it is a small tree with the personality of a ‘normal’ eucalyptus. I mean, the leaves look like smaller versions of blue gum leaves, and the bloom looks so typical of eucalyptus, but more colorful. I can not explain why I like the Eucalyptus caesia. It just looks . . . distinctive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to watching mine grow and flower, it is a red one. I don’t know those 2 you mention, I will look them up. There are so many and varied varieties
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, they are not all that important. I just happen to like them. There are prettier sorts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a treat visiting your tropical garden, Pauline, and seeing such colourful flowers. I’m sure your new eucalyptus will give you so much pleasure that you’ll soon forget about the outlay!
I wonder what kind of butterfly those rather large caterpillars turn into?
I wish you and Jack a happy new year and hope that you are able to make that planned trip to Sydney before too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they are the large and beautiful black ones. I’m looking forward to visiting Sydney, but also would love to visit the family in NZ
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Pauline at Living in Paradise […]
LikeLike
It was the same with us, only our Sydney daughter was to fly up to Brisbane on Christmas Eve. Of course that didn’t happen. Hasn’t the rain been wonderful – everything is fresh and green and going gangbusters in our garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many plans had to change and in comparison with the rest of the world we are so lucky. Yes that rain is marvellous, another 9mm last night so just taking it easy today. Watched the fireworks on tv last night, so a bit later than usual to bed…😴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, every day when I see the news on TV I am so thankful to live where I do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That rain has done wonders for your garden, Pauline. It looks so delightfully fresh and bright, if somewhat chewed. The nectar and fruit feeders must think it is Christmas. I really enjoy your monthly post and always look forward to it. All the best to you and Jack. I hope next year brings you more pleasant surprises.
PS. Have you thought of underplanting with native grasses? I’m not sure what is local to your area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The rain has been marvellous for the garden and me too, no regular watering. 🤗Its Christmas all year round for the birds here Tracy, always something flowering…That is a very good idea about native grasses I must check them out. Kangaroo grass would be a good filler. Thanks for the suggestion. Best wishes to you and your TL, lets hope 2021 is a good one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If it grows in your area, Pauline, I think it would make a fine choice.
Take care, and see you next month!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy gardening in 2021!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and here’s hoping we can travel freely and with out worry during the coming year
LikeLiked by 1 person
My monthly walk around your beautiful garden is a source of much joy Pauline. Thank you for sharing it. Wishing you and Jack a happy, healthy, creative 2021 — with that longed-for travel thrown in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Su, a garden is better when shared. Hope the year has started well for you. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pauline. We’ve had rain; so definitely a good start.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always so nice to see photos of your garden! There are so many lovely colors, and mangoes! I see the bats and parrots love them as much as I do. I hope they leave a few for you! 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fortunately it was a good harvest this year so enough for all of us
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always, I love visiting the bounty and beauty of your world, Pauline. Those mangoes which lead into your post are so pretty!
So very sorry to hear you had to put off your family visit – I know you & Jack were so very much looking forward to it. It must have been heart-wrenching, even though the reason for it is most logical, and you were able to get vouchers for a deferred trip.
Hope you are both doing well: enjoying your art, gardening and other creative endeavours. Be well and safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankfully the population is following advice and the virus seems to be coming under control. At least not getting any worse. Pleased you enjoyed joining me in my monthly wander around the garden
LikeLike
[…] garden is very lush and abundant, but when I looked back at last December it is not flowering as much. The Poinciana flowers are only just starting but last year they […]
LikeLike