It was an intense weekend. There's no other way to describe it but as such as we got fully stuck in with gardening jobs especially as the weather was very favourable.
We managed to tick off several things from our spring gardening chores list. It helped that we were both in the mood to get the garden in shape for the coming warmer months ahead. But as it was intense, neither of us had the chance to chronicle what we've done with a series of photos.
Speaking of photos, during our lull from blogging I have already identified that the way forward would be to use our camera phones more than ever before. Doing so would make it much easier to juggle blogging with our increasingly busy life outside of blogosphere.
Come to think of it, it's quite astonishing how it's come a long way with regards to the quality of photos taken using a phone. Gone are the days wherein the norm were hazy looking photos, nowadays it can be even better than ones taken with a compact digital camera. This is the very basis of Instagram I suppose, which has phenomenally risen in clout as the quality of cameras on phones has also increased.
Anyway, I wasn't completely hopeless as I still managed to get a few random shots over the past two days...
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| Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy' |
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| Ginkgo biloba 'Beijing Gold' |
Have prepared several mixed succulent plantings this year, and with this one it's just a matter of waiting for it to bulk up now.
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| Schefflera taiwaniana |
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| Dicksonia antarctica |
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Intense gardening weekends are the best sometimes! I love using my phone camera in the garden, although you do have to watch that you don't accidentally bury it or something (not that I've ever done that...) Your garden looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee! Love the convenience of camera phones, especially as I do carry it with me nearly all the time.
DeleteYour efforts in the garden are reflected in your photos! I was still oohing and awing over the Ginkgo when I saw that Schefflera - wow! It's odd but you seldom see Schefflera planted outdoors here (even pre-drought). My western garden guide claims the plant will manage here if given a bit of shade so maybe I'll have to try planting one.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if some of the more tender ones can do well for you. Worth a try!
DeleteAs you've probably noticed I do love my phone camera and Instagram. I still find for blogging though I do better with my point and shoot digital. The best thing I've done recently is install iCloud for Windows on my laptop, so my phone and camera can easily work with each other. Such a difference!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good gardening weekend, and I look forward to more from you guys and your garden adventures this summer.
Thanks for the really handy tip, I'll do that as well! Stand alone cameras are still the best though :)
DeleteThanks for the heads-up about Purple Fantasy - a friend gave me this plant last week, so I will place it where it is free to rampage as it pleases. I am a fan of the camera phone for plants, but I struggle to get decent photos of wildlife on it. Of course, this might have more to do with the operator than the phone! I'm pleased that you enjoyed a great gardening weekend.
ReplyDeleteAhh but it's still difficult to capture wildlife pics using a phone indeed, especially as they are rarely still. Hopefully Purple Fantasy will do well for you!
DeleteI just love your variegated Ginkgo bliloba !
ReplyDeleteThanks Debs!
DeleteSo glad you found the way forward (coming from someone who stalls out on blogging occasionally too). It's so true that the camera phones do a great job. A lot of the incredible photography we're seeing on IG is coming from professional cameras, but for ease of use you can't beat whipping out the phone, as that amazing scheffie photo proves.
ReplyDeleteCamera phones wins top marks for ease of use, so glad that quality has improved now and it's bound to get even better :)
DeleteThank you for showing your beautiful plants and Ginkgo is so special!
ReplyDeletePleasure!
DeleteI have gotten quite hooked on IG lately, and can probably thank the phone on my camera for that. It's so easy, and like you said - it's almost always right there when you need it. That Persicaria goes on my wish list, as does having enough space for one of those Sheffleras. I like the one I have, too, but S. taiwaniana is stunning! I also admit being envious that you can keep tree ferns alive. I'm on my third now...
ReplyDeleteHopefully it'll be third time lucky with the tree fern, fingers crossed!! :)
DeleteOh my, the new growth on Dicksonia antarctica takes my breath away. I'm glad that you were able to get some work done in the garden as it always feels good to be outside working with green things. (You mean there is a life outside of the blogosphere?) We're back to cold and soggy weather.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your cold and soggy weather will be gone soon. Mind you that seems to be the weather here all the time!! :))
DeleteI use my cell phone camera for about half my blog posts these days. It does make it much easier, and iPhone photos are high quality. The only time my phone camera fails me is at dusk.
ReplyDeleteSentiments the same, and iPhone photos are really at their element when it's bright and sunny, photos looks so vivid and colours crisp.
DeleteWow, the Ginko is very cool. Ditto the Schefflera. I remember your blog post about getting the Dickinsonia as a trunk (I think). Amazing how it has grown! It looks great.
ReplyDeleteReally pleased how well it is responding now, fully rooted in the ground too :)
DeleteAh! The shot of the Shefflera is splendid. You seem to have a knack for mixed plantings. I'm still stuck in one plant per pot mode.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki! One plant per pot is still our thing as well :)
DeleteThe few sprigs of "Purple fantasy" you gave me about 3 years ago have become an area of about one sq. metre. Many clumps have been given away to very happy folk. It's one of those plants that responds well to the "Chelsea chop"
ReplyDeleteMight do that on our other persicarias as they have a tendency to swamp other plants by mid May...
Deletethat Gingko is stunning, and the fern is looking very happy and not a bit homesick for its home way down south.
ReplyDeleteReally glad it's doing well :)
DeleteOh I looked at 'Purple Fantasy' and a plant sale recently, was nearly tempted but resisted. Useful to read more about it here. Your photos are just fine. I struggle with taking photos with my phone or iPad but think that may be down to my eyesight rather than the equipment.
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