Clever Clivias

Since we waved goodbye to our cubby house in our little backyard, we now have a view of what has always been an ugly little corner of our yard.
It has been home to the compost bins for years. One year at the local Richmond Primary School fete I picked up a few pots of clivia, lovingly potted up by a mum called Maree.
As with most people with teeny weeny gardens, I long to plant all manner of things but the reality is there isn't room.
But I couldn't resist the clivias.
So, at home I looked for some little shady spot in which to plant them. They ended bang up against the compost bin. This was good and bad. Bad because it wasn't the best spot for them. Good because they flourished thanks to their prosimity to the worm-rich compost bin.
They've been neglected but have made their own way. In the meantime, I moved the compost bins to another spot and transplanted a struggling standard Lily Pily tree.
The Lily Pily, a gift from my sister to my husband when his nephew died 12 years ago in lieu of flowers, has looked liked it was on its last legs. It had dried out in its terracota pot once too often.
But even now it is looking good. It is probably not the best showcase, tucked in the corner against the fence, with the neighbour's peaky ivy trying to strangle it. Luckily, we manage to get the secateurs to it before it takes hold of the tree.
But back to the clivia. Their orange blooms put a smile on my face. I would love to plant them right across the back, in front of the limes and lemons, where the gardenias once ruled. That was before the citrus cut all their shade and one by one by died.
In the meantime, I am enjoying what I have got.

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A blooming Birthday

There's something about this time of year that makes me feel happy. In the Southern Hemisphere the weather is warming up and there are so many beautiful plants coming to life after their lazy winter siesta.
And, today, has been extra special because it is my birthday.
Let's just say that I am getting closer to 50 than I am to 40 but it is all relative.
These children are theoretically keeping me young, and tired and grumpy and sometimes feeling like I am not appreciated. But what of the alternative? I would hate to think.
I woke to my three children clamouring over my bed, brandishing a birthday card. And what a beautiful, well chosen card  Featuring some of the gorgeous things I love about Richmond and Melbourne. The Vinegar Skipping Girl sign, where Richmond becomes Abbotsford and almost Hawthorn.
The colourful Brighton Beach bathing boxes, the gaping Luna Park entrance and Melbourne's iconic W-class tram.
So, as I say, John is always good for a delightfully thoughtful card, but where was the present? None of this "I want your presence not your presents" thanks very much.
I should not complain because after years, they know they can't win. I always say just let me buy something that I want or need.
But, this year, vulnerable and needy after my cornea transplant I haven't felt like getting out and about. The fact that I can't drive and that last week was a killer week for sport, plays and whatever else completely nobbled me.
But I had said more than once I would like an iPad 3 and maybe some runners.
Daughter 1, Hannah, insisted that I would never use an iPad 3 and it would be a waste of money. Anyway, I kind of sucked it up and I do pretty well subscribe to that theory that I am lucky to have them all and material goods aren't important. But a part of me felt a bit disappointed.
So, I suggested to John that we head to the nearby gigantic hardware store and get ourselves some potting mix, fertiliser and potted colour.
We opted for some basil seedlings. Lucy, 7, loves pesto so I am hoping that come summer we might be able to make some. I also chose some lobelia to trail around the standard cumquat and maybe even that potted Yukka that keeps growing like a Triffid near the front door.
I toyed with tomatoes. Too early without a glasshouse so put them back, I concluded.
We got home and John realised he had unloaded all the mix and fertiliser from the trolley but not the seedlings. I rang the store and they told me they would be awaiting our return. Great.
Then, I opened a letter I know from the familiar writing to be from my lovely flower loving friend, Louise.
Another gorgeous card with five packets of seeds inserted in the middle.
So, here I am with Razzamatazz Chilli seeds (ideal for containers); dwarf sunflowers which the kids will adore and three varieties of tomato - Roma, Gourmet Mix and Money Maker.
Loving the look of the Gourmet Mix with promises of yellow, red and blood red tomatoes.
What a treat.
Space is going to be a problem but I may just sow half of each seed packet of tomatoes. Mmmmmm summer salads of tomato, fresh basil and fetta are making me salivate.
But the hard labour must wait for another today. Today is for trivial things. And, I am hopeful that iPad 3 will be arriving any time soon.

Magnificent Magnolia

I am still feeling out of sorts after my recent eye surgery. (that's another story and another blog - Claire Heaney Cornea Transplant Diary) so I am gingerly just making my way outside.
At the moment I have limited vision in my right eye so judging where I am walking and crossing roads is tricky business. I have had to limit my time in front of the computer to an hour or so at a time.
But today I made myself get up, shower and catch up with a colleague for a coffee.
The weather in Melbourne is gorgeous today and I can't begin to tell you how my spirits lifted thanks to the combination of a caffeine hit and the emerging Spring blooms.
On the way back, when time wasn't so much an issue, I strolled down a lovely tree lined street, peering at the new blossoms.
Then, around a little laneway, I came across the tulip-like blooms on a friend's magnolia tree.
The port wine flowers are divine.
These friends have long talked about renovating and I always say "please do something around that magnolia, don't chop it down". To me, it has long since been a sign that Spring is here.
Further down the street, some vivid Camellia japonicas are equally as gorgeous. It is a great time of the year.

Father's Day

I am putting last minute touches to the school Father's Day stall. It is one of my things. I love seeing their excitement as they choose a gift. Unfortunately, it is hard to source goodies for dads and granddads. Undies, socks and the like don't really cut it. For a long time now, choc-filled mugs and stubby holders have been the mainstay. But some of the mums are grumbling they've got too many cups and glasses and so on. I feel like telling them that perhaps if they  contributed to the stalll they might be able to come up with something better. But most times I hold my tongue and take the criticism quite personally.
This year I have been thinking of how I can incorporate gardening into the stall. Kids love to buy plants but I haven't the room outside or time to cultivate plants. I have done it in the past but timing the plants so they are at their best is very hard.
Instead, I am opting to making little gardening packs, Terracotta labels with "parsley" and "basil" on them, little trowels, forks, pots, seeds, gardening gloves, novelties and spray bottles.
I have been collecting old orange net bags and have been putting bits and pieces in them and tying up the ends with a knot. I think they look good. They are a healthy, sustainable option and hopefully the kids will plant their seeds with Dad or Grandpa. Having said that, I have no doubt my two kids will be heading straight for the mug, glass or stubby holder bearing "their" favourite sweet. No worries what Dad might want.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade

AN update on my lemon and lime largesse.
Well, I haven't made any lemonade yet. Lucy, 7, and her mate, Annie, managed to drive the neighbours bonkers one recent Sunday when they set up a stall to sell them.
Given how much they are charging for them in the shops, the 50cents each or three for $1 price went down well.
They sung and danced on the footpath, cajoling poor passing pedestrians into buying lemons and limes. I think most were happy to do so and some even gave them a tip.
Of course, lovely neighbour Margaret came back a few times to purchase. I doubt she needed them. But that is what she does. That's why we love her.
The girls closed the day with a total of something like $17.50.
They were chuffed. We agreed they could get a cheapo icecream from the Golden Arches and do what they wanted to do with the balance. In Lucy's case her share went into her iPod fund. Apparently at the age of 7 she is the only person in the world not to own one! I found it very difficult to give them away to friends and family. I am assuming it has been a bumper citrus crop year.
I squeezed plenty of them into ice cube trays and then decanted inti ziplock bags.
I made a lemon slice. My good mate Nikole turned some into lemon butter for a fundraising afternoon tea we were putting on for the Hands Across the Water charity. It tasted scrumptious on Nikole's scones. There are still a few more left and I really hate the thought of them rotting. I will have to scour my recipe books for more suggestions - lemon meringue pie, lemon delicious ........

Bitters, Lime and Lemon

Ventured out to the backyard the other day (don't get me wrong, my backyard is not very big. It  was just a matter of braving the cold to open the backdoor once we huddled inside to warm up upon our return from Darwin).
With a glimmer of sunshine, I was delighted to see just how wonderful my two Meyer lemons and two lime trees had fared while I wasn't looking.
There were lemons and limes everywhere.
It's amazing what your garden gets up to in the chilly months when you take your eyes off it.
What a delight. I had planted the trees about eight years.
Heavily pregnant, with the birth of my third child, Lucy, imminent I was madly nesting.
"Come on," I cajoled my husband. "Let's get this backyard sorted."
There was the small matter of a great block of concrete buried underneath the garden bed. It was so big we feared there must be a body buried underneath it. We think it may have been a clothesline foundation or some such thing. But it took many hours of jackhammering for it to be removed.
We got some nice herringbone brick paving and left a garden bed about a metre wide along the back fence.
We nourished that old soil like we were feeding a sickly child. Mushroom compost, cow manure and pea straw.The plan had been to espalier the trees.
I planted them carefully, tying branches against the lines of wire we had attached to the fence. It felt mean to chop off perfectly healthy branches and force the remaining branches against the wall. But it was inspired by the likes of garden designer Paul Bangay. In front of the citrus trees I planted a row of sweetly scented gardenias. In front of them a low hedge of hidcote lavender bushes. The garden flourished. But all this time later some things have fallen by the wayside. For instance, I couldn't bear to chop my verdant lemons and limes and they started to grow a little bit crazy. The gardenias flourished for a long time but then they lost their light source when the lemons and limes went a bit wild. They started looking spindly. Some died. I re-potted a few into big tubs. Then the lavender looked leggy with big woody bits. That had to go, replaced by a hedge of rosemary. That, too, looked lovely for a while. These days. The lemons and limes rule. And I'm OK with that. I have planted a few hellebores underneath them. They are still finding their feet. But what to do with all that citrus?

Fragrant Frangipani

What better way to escape Melbourne's chilly winter mornings than a trip to the top end? Yes, lovely Darwin where the weather is a beautiful high 20 degrees every day. (But they do tell me the wet season is horrendous).
So, we made our way north and lapped up the lovely weather. I also loved the tropical plants. Think frangipani, marvellous lilies and the like. Okay. I don't know all the names but it is a tropical wonderland.
At Wangi Falls, in the Litchfield National Park, the monsoonal forest is a treat. The shrill sound of bats overhead are disconcerting. I felt like I was an extra in a some thriller and something evil was about to swoop and harm me. The kids were scared stiff. It's one way to keep them quiet.
A great way to cool off is to jump into the falls.

Winter pruning

OK, I know I was muttering about taking the clippers to the hydrangeas months ago. Well holidays and other things got in the way. I have to confess that I have just completed the task in the past few days. My procrastination was not without its upsides. The mother of one of my neighbors bailed me up in the street and begged me if she could cut a bunch of the dying flower heads.
She planned to dry them. I handed her the secateurs and she was thrilled. Perhaps, I could have urged her to keep on trimming back to the new growth! Anyway, I finally set about doing the task over the weekend. Pat, my neighbour, has a pair of long handled Fiskars clippers and happily presented me with them when she saw me struggling to reach some of the higher branches. I trimmed the blooms back to the new bulging buds. Then, I cut into the standard ficus that is growing like topsy. (it was one of a pair but they grew so much they busted out of their terracota pots) I have been warned that it could get out of control and the roots will spread. I am keeping a watchful eye on it. But the thing I love about it so much is that it has flourished in a spot in front of my verandah, along the front fence where nothing else has grown. I planted a row of sasanqua camellias and the one in that very spot died. Then I planted another and it died. Now, that the ficus has grown it provides a lovely bit of privacy in front of the door. You see our house is very close to the street and privacy is sometimes lacking. I then set about chopping up the cuttings so they would be able to break down in the compost bin. Now, the next big task is to cut back the ornamental grape vine. It provides such magnificent colour in autumn. Just gorgeous.

Too busy gardening to be writing

Last year, I started this blog - A Sprig of Parsley - as the days were getting warmer and Spring was approaching. I thought it would marry my love of writing with my love of gardening. I had planned to post regular updates and all things botanical. Not just in my little patch, but in other places I saw or visited. Well, what happened? The weather go too nice to sit at a desk, got a bit busy with the demands of little people, getting a big girl ready for high school and who knew graduating from primary school would be such a big deal? Then there was Christmas and holidays and a wonderful trip to New Zealand's beautiful South Island. Is that enough excuses? So here I am, back at my paid job and back ferrying kids from tennis to netball to swimming and cricket and so on. But I doubt I would change too many things. I am also back surveying my garden and looking at all the little jobs I need to do. First cab of the rank, before an Easter trip to Coffs Harbour, is to prune the hydrangeas. I have mentioned these before. I lovely mass of pink at the front, near the verandah. They are tough as old boots. The house was built around 1910 and I am guessing that they were planted not too long after. I am not in any great rush to chop them. There are still some bright pink blooms mixed among the reddish-green autum coloring of the faded blooms. I will, as my taught me so many years ago in our garden in Ballarat, prune just above a sprouting shoot. I also will only prune the branches that have borne a bloom this year. I am not a great garden waterer but so far, after 12 years owning this house, this bush has survived through drought and excess rain. May it outlive me.