Garden Early Autumn 2015

Mushroom – Coprinus/Coprinellus disseminatus growing under Jasminum sambac

Summer this year was one of the mildest in a long time around Melbourne area, with only very few days of over 35 deg. C. This first week of autumn was cool with some cloudy and windy days and few rains. We  could not complain at all . Today was generally grey, about 22 deg. C with the sun that was too shy to show up.

It is too early for the leaves to change colour, but some Autumn flowers are blooming.

Choisya ternata – Mexican Orange Blossom:

We grew this plant long time ago, but only now that it is ‘really’ blooming with quite a few flowers. This slow growing plant from Mexico has white flowers, fragrant and very pretty. Usually it blooms during Spring to Summer, so it is a surprise to see ours is flowering now in the Autumn. Once established, it is very hardy and can tolerate high temperature and light frost.

Choisya ternata – Mexican Orange Blossom

Murraya paniculata – Mock Orange:

Earlier towards the end of Summer, our Murraya had abundant flowers and the sweet scent could be enjoyed all around. I missed to take photos while the flowers were at their best, now it is only few flowers remained and most of the white petals have dropped.

Murraya paniculata – Mock Orange,- Kemuning

Duranta repens “Geisha Girl’:

This time I let the Duranta grows out of control, usually it is always neatly clipped into a ball shape. The result is that it blooms much more than usual. I have to put up with the untidy look, once it has finish flowering later I will give it a good cut 🙂

Duranta repens ‘Geisha Girl’

Yellow Kniphofia:

For the last two years this plant did not flower at all, I think it was caused by the scorching heat of the summer. Now it is growing flowers but the stems are much shorter than usual, but they are still very pretty nonetheless. The original photos have ugly old fence background, so I edited the photos and give them white and black background 🙂

Yellow Kniphofia

Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’:

As it is mentioned in the name, Sedum “Autumn Joy’ will flower during Autumn. Like most other succulents, it is very easy to grow and will always flower every year.

Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’

Washington Hawthorn / Washington Thorn – Crataegus phaenopyrum : The Autumn Berries, not fully ripe yet. When they do ripe, birds will eat them. How silly I was to think about making hawthorn berries and loquat jam as they are available in different time. Loquats ripen around Winter and early Spring.

Washington Hawthorn Berries