common myrtle // true myrtle

order: myrtales
family: myrtaceae
genus: myrtus
species: communis

As the year began, i bought this small myrtle bush slightly off its rounded silhouette as a discounted item from a garden centre that I frequented. They'd already put it up on sale in late fall but couldn't sell them off. So they were trying to rid them at the time in order to make room for spring flowers and herbs. This plant had long been in my wish list. So I was very happy that I finally brought it home with me.

I nearly lost the plant along with some other plants after the trip to Italy in May this year. The friend I engaged for taking care of the garden somehow didn't give it enough water, so all the limbs were dried up and pointing downwards. I immediately gave all the wilted plants a good soak and continued to care for them intensively for the next week(s). This myrtle was one that recovered very well. Other plants weren't that lucky. You see that's the price you have to pay if you want to leave home for some days. Or you can also see it the other way round. The price you have to pay for doing gardening is to be chained to the plants. You can't move around much.

Currently the plant has put on plenty of flower buds which it has been having for more than a month now. The flower buds don't seem to open soon despite the hot days we had this week. Repotting will also have to be carried out. But that will be after the flower.

gold-leafed tree heath

order: ericales
family: ericaceae
genus: erica
species: arborea
cultivar: 'Albert's Gold'

late autumn 2012. leaves turned dark green.

As the name implies, this tree heath's leaves are usually more yellowish than green. But that's only if new growth is exposed to sufficiently bright light. Otherwise they turn mid to dark green just as they do when it gets darker into fall and winter. My plant is currently about knee height. It has lots of stems coming from the base, which makes it look like a group of cypress trees crowding together. Although I must say, the sight of its foliage at a distance reminds me of casuarinas on hot sunny beaches.

flowering in may 2013. close-up.

As the spring was breaking, I could see small tiny white tips emerging mainly on the branches of the upper section, which soon turned into foliage and terminal flower buds. Flowers become fully open in May. They are tiny, white, drooping and have a red dot in the middle. With the help of an enlarged macro photo, I counted four petals on each flower.

I repotted the plant earlier in April in a nice dark grey plastic pot. But I realised, the plant needs a new heavier pot so it doesn't get blown over easily by wind.