Pucker up baby for a Million Kisses

There are days when everything just falls into place. My hunt for Million Kisses Begonia's was one of them.

For years I had great fun seeking out fushia's to hang under the pergola. I would drive for miles trying to find unique ones not the bloody Swingtime that everyone seemed to grow. One year I had 13 different types in hanging pots and it was quite the colourful jungle.

Two years ago it was so hot and dry I would spend two hours every night watering my babies. Even though they were in full shade the heat and winds dried them completely. Then last year with perfect growing conditions for fushia's, wet and cool, they were hard to find.

I bought Amore from a local nursery to give it a try and was gifted with a stunning cascade of blood red blooms all summer long trailing 4' down. And so returned to the same nursery this year with fingers and toes crossed. I was on a mission when I entered the nursery and my plant radar spied the vibrant reds of Amore one aisle over. I beamed and put two baskets in the cart leaving one for another lucky soul.  

Moving along to the next aisle I kept my gaze on high scanning the hanging pots. I stopped and just stood there staring at the yellow beauties swaying from the fans breeze. This was destiny I thought and immediately ran for another cart. Three Honeymoons were placed on that one. Mine Mine Mine I said to an employee. 

One more aisle and what to my wandering eyes did appear but the Holy Grail of MK's, Elegance. I swear I experienced a hortgasm right there in the middle of the nursery. There wasn't one but two pots! Taking a closer look I thought really! Who does this. One pot had three pinks and one red, while the other had three reds and one pink. I couldn't just walk away now could I so both went in the cart.

  

The first thing I did after arriving home was switch the two odds creating one perfect pot of Elegance. There's me beauty and she was worth it.

This year I decided to forgo pots and planters of fussiness. Hanging pots of only Million Kisses Begonia's and planters with Dragon Wings Begonia's. OK there are a couple of Gartenmeister Fushia's in the planters. They've never failed and I'll grow them in memoriam of the past Fushia Forays.  Besides all of these will over winter nicely and next spring I will be able to rejuvenate them. 

Gardening is all about creating an Eden for oneself, family and friends. It's the joy of nurturing life. Taking note of what works or not, to remember next year. But most of all for me, it needs to be a place of rest and peacefulness. This is my pondering place, my Eden.

  

Violets oh sweet Violets

One of the harbingers of spring is the violet.   Found in shades of purple and yellow they enliven the garden.  They make me stop and sigh at their delicate blossoms.

The purple one has found it's way from a heritage property in town where I was the gardener for a few years.  Imagine that!   It made its way here all by its self.  

The yellow violet surprised me last year for it found itself here without ahem encouragement or a basket of seedlings. I swear!

This year the wonderful yellow has spread its sunshine all through out the front lawn. That's another reason for not mowing and one I shall use on the neighbours when they complain about the meadow ;)

Meet Potter

I was correct. Pooka and Petunia danced in the garden and Potter is the result.

I spotted mum and baby two weeks ago and delighted in the mother/child relationship during the evenings.

Saturday past I had the ultimate Disney moment. It was dusk and I was sitting out relaxing, inhaling spring when a movement caught me eye. There was Petunia hopping to a spot just across The Pond in full view of me. Right behind her was this wee furball. It nuzzled under her and began to nurse.

All of a sudden I could only see four tiny paws reaching for the sky. She took her right front paw, scooped it rightside and the widdle baby continued feeding. I tell ya, these eyes watered at this act of love. Petunia looked over at me and I whispered, “that's ok mum, I'll take my leave”. Rising slowly I went into the house and quietly closed the patio door leaving them in peace.

Yesterday I was about to step into one bed and saw a hollow in the groundcover. What to my wondering eyes did I see but Potter huddled safe and sound.

People have said ummm Cheryl you won't think it's so cute and cuddley when it eats all your plants. To them I say, having a baby bunnie around doesn't bother me at all. I can replace plants but could you deny these big bunnie eyes a safe home and free meal? I thought not ;)