The first blossom on our plum tree. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Wordless Wednesday
spring
Probably the cutest sign of Spring
The season of the kowhai
Spring. Tui feasting on kowhai flower nectar. Image; Su Leslie 2019
Amongst all the flowers that burst forth in Spring, the one that speaks most clearly of the season in Aotearoa New Zealand is the kowhai.
Image: Su Leslie
Kowhai (eight species of tree within the genus Sophora) are native to this country. Unlike many NZ natives, kowhai are semi-deciduous, making their spring-time transformation even more spectacular. Unusually too, kowhai flowers appear before the new leaves.
Kowhai flowers. Image: Su Leslie
Kowhai is the Maori word for yellow, and the plant has great significance; practically and culturally. Infusions of kowhai bark were used in traditional Maori medicine to treat a huge range of ailments from dandruff to knitting together broken bones. It was even given as a (fairly dramatic) cure for constipation.
Kowhai flowers. Image: Su Leslie
These days, the medicinal use of Kowhai is not recommended, as it’s known that the plant contains cytsine, an alkeloid common in several species within the legume family. It is similar to nicotine and, in humans, can cause headaches, breathing difficulties and in large doses — death.
Other animals are clearly not affected; kowhai flower nectar is a favourite food of the native Korimako, Kaka and Tui. One of the great springtime pleasures is watching and listening to Tui in a kowhai tree.
Tui in a kowhai tree. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Tui in a kowhai tree. Image: Su Leslie 2019
If you’d like to know what Tui’s sound like, this video‘s good and has footage of Kereru (wood pigeon) and Tauhou (wax-eye)
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge | Spring
Friday Flowers
The Changing Seasons, October 2019
Kakabeak seedling No. 1. Image: Su Leslie 2019
I just looked back over my past few Changing Seasons posts, and this will be the third consecutive month I’ve talked about how cold and rainy and windy it’s been.
Consequently, once again I haven’t strayed far from home, and have taken very few photos. The silver lining though is that I’ve spent time extra working on the horticulture course I’m taking and have passed the first paper.
If I had to sum October up, I’d say it’s been a growing month. Lots of the seeds I’ve planted have germinated — including a second kakabeak. New plants that we’ve been able to shelter are thriving and we should be able to pick the first tomatoes quite soon. My gardening knowledge has grown, and with it my confidence.
I’d still really like some sunshine soon though. Especially as I’m off to New Plymouth tomorrow to explore the Taranaki Garden Festival and Sustainable Backyard Trail.
So apologies in advance if I’m a little slow to update the Changing Seasons blogroll. With luck I’ll be filling my brain with free-range, sustainably grown, nutrient-dense ideas (and my tummy with yummy produce).
Second kakabeak seedling. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Apple blossom — not my garden though. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Cherry blossom. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Cherry blossom. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Hibiscus. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Photo-editing play-time. Image: Su Leslie 2019
New growth on the fig tree. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Plums in time for Christmas? Image: Su Leslie 2019
Plums in time for Christmas? Image: Su Leslie 2019
New fruit on the yuzu tree. Image: Su Leslie
Solitary iris. Image: Su Leslie 2019
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
- Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
- Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
- Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
- Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
- Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
- Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
Update
Pauline at Living in Paradise
Jude at Life at the Edge
Tish at Writer on the Edge
Joanne at My Life Lived Full
Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind
Lani at Life, the Universe and Lani
Sarah at Art Expedition
Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful\
Donna at DJ Ranch
Brian at Bushboys World
And a huge welcome to …
Amy at The world in a Book
Tatiana at Travelways
Margaret at From Pyrenees to Penines
… all of whom are joining us for the first time this month.
Friday flowers
Yuzu blossom and fruit bud. Image: Su Leslie 1019
The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world. — Michael Pollan
Friday flowers
Rain and blossom; spring at my place. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Trying to smell like dirt
Single clematis flower. Su Leslie 2019
In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. — Margaret Atwood
My garden is one of the reasons posting to WP Is a bit random at the moment. The Changing Seasons post IS coming — promise.
Macro Monday
Wordless Wednesday
Hung with gold; Kowhai, Sophora microphylla. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Wordless Wednesday
Last week plum blossom; the week kowhai. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Wordless Wednesday
First blossom: plum tree. Image: Su Leslie 2019
