Visit 20/21 September

17 mills in the gauge. The weather was cool and showery with occasional sunshine. No golf. The garden continued to be dominated by daffodils, although some were now past their best.

Wattles were in full bloom, particularly a couple of the Ovens Wattle. I noticed a few had self seeded around the dam.

I was very surprised to notice a very early flowering orange peony poppy in flower. Normally they do not flower until late October. I have many around the garden. None of the others is anywhere near flowering.

Plenty of hyacinths are doing well. One which was particularly impressive was magenta coloured.

A friend dropped in a Clematis Ruutel which I planted against the only one of the 4 verandah posts not supporting a clematis. It was a great and timely gift.

Also Sally's 4 rhubarb plants were most welcome. They were planted in the vegetable plot accompanied with a decent serving of horse manure.

I needed to consult with Bill next door after my chainsaw locked. Not only did he fix the problem but serviced it after which it cut through some fallen branches like butter. More of the Laurel tree was lopped, using the rejuvenated chainsaw.

I lifted one of the nicer gazanias, divided it into 5 plants, reinserted 2 and potted up the other for our cottage plant sale. Similarly with the smaller Golden Rods (Solidago) and and large clump of Veronica Oxford Blue.

Several wallflowers I'd grown from seed were planted out around the garden. I have no idea what colour flowers they'll bear as the packet said simply 'Cheiranthus sp.' Similarly with candytuft seedlings.

I finally got round to cutting back several Salvias, (Hot Lips and Bog Sage). They promise to again put on a great show this summer.

The northern (Daylesford) side of the garden is looking good with the red of the Flowering Quinces, and leucadendron contrasting with the yellow of the daffodils.