With Clouds Decorating...

With clouds decorating the sky yesterday I hoped that they would bring a much needed downpour. It did spatter with large drops for all of five minutes and after that the humidity rose making the day rather uncomfortable to be outside. 

Checking on the garden, especially the more delicate plants midday I was surprised to see the strawberry plants thriving. Many of the lettuces are struggling in the heat, the celery has died, the cucumbers hanging on, barely. 

The first yellow flowers have appeared on one of the watermelon plants, these seemed to have taken their time to find their roots, but as the mercury rises they seem to be thriving.

The fig tree is still ladened with fruit that just doesn't seem to ripen. Only a couple have been nibbled by the parrots, perhaps like me they are waiting for the fruit to become more delectable before indulging? 

There are very few plants in flower throughout the garden. And I do miss the colour that normally brightens the garden.

The paper daisies are hanging in there, some days though they do struggle. One californian poppy plant is still offering blooms as well in the food and flower meadow, although is hardly resembles a meadow now as most plants have not survived the heat. 

The flowers on the italian parsley attracted a wasp and a bee who were busy harvesting for their hives. It is interesting watching these delicate beings going from flower to flower collecting the nectar. 

Elsewhere in the garden there is still a bit happening. The native hibiscus has a few flowers, their soft yellow hue looked very pretty against the cloudy grey sky.

Two of the gardens gum trees have flowers budding. 

The motherwort plant which was only planted a few weeks ago is also beginning to flower as are all the catnip plants throughout the garden.

Blueberries are still ripening and I am lucky enough to get a handful every other day. These are the tastiest blueberries ever, no chemicals obviously make a difference to the flavour.

Under the patio colour is also found, although the plants kept in the shade are also struggling with the summer heat and often look lifeless at the end of the day. Thankfully a good watering revives them in next to no time...