Mint + Heater =

Remember the berries and cream mint I wrote about a while ago? Ok well it really was a bit of a blink and you miss it reference in a post about new plants but it was there. I enjoyed this mint, particularly in salads and as a spring roll wrapping. Delicious!

Mint goes in phases, some days it is vigourous, then days later the snails have chewed it to the ground or an errant gardner has left it out in 40 degree heat in direct sun. But it fights back, mint is strong, it is a trooper, it is a virtually idiot proof herb.

But is it strong enough to withstand the backdraft from the heater?

From this pic the berries and cream mint looks pretty messed up. But if you peer closer you will see new growth, new runners, which will help the plant continue long after the dangers of the heater have passed. Yay mint, you're a real trooper! But will you outlast my urge to replace you in that pot with a tumbler tomato?

What's me Flower?

A change took place slowly in the balcony garden, I embraced flowers. Sure there was always the hibiscus and the two abutilons, and all the veggie flowers, but they have never featured very heavily on my planting agenda. Then slowly but surely more little floral numbers began to populate the garden. There were the two new fuschias (though the white and purple one I've blogged about before). The frilly pink and purple one is delightful, while the purple and white one seems pinker in some lights.

The random rockery mix which produced these flowers (I can name all of them except the pink one, any help?)

The portulaca kept its centre position on the table. But it was joined for a while by a gazania.

This plant which the lovely fellow gardener L gave me finally decided to flower (it's been a while coming, but what the heck is it?)

Even two of the mints joined in! The bees love the berry and cream mint in particular.

I've always had a few floral additions to the garden before but it has never been this crowded or free-ranging. Any ideas on what my mystery plants are?

Oh and if you want to see some other florals - check out my poor sewing attempts on my other blog, A Teetoal 2012 (it's what I do when I'm not drinkin')

Some new additions at the end of 2011

Mum and I enjoyed that nectarine yesterday. We halved it and ate it while watching the cricket on my couch. The sweet fruit contrasted with the bitterness of Australia's batting collapse!

We also bought some new lovelies for the balcony garden. First was a fuschia to replace the one I had for three years that never flowered. I wanted a Winston Churchill fuschia (which is dark pink and dark purple) but then decided this one was more striking.

I also got some berries and cream mint. I covetted Lisa's mint collection, so I am starting my own.

I also have normal mint, which is doing better after a bug attack (the pic is from when it was sicker.)

And ditto on the chocolate mint. For some reason I thought hanging baskets would help keep them safe.

Any end of year new purchases in your garden?