THE SHOWERS OF SPRIN -TER.
That's my newly-coined word for the in-between season, when some days are sunny and warm enough to cast aside sweaters, only to have to dash indoors when a squall of icy rain sweeps in.
But daylight is lengthening and most days, the Hg creeps slowly upwards.
OK, not much to write about, but I do have some photos. Someone asked for photos, didn't he, Jon?
A "Coalbrookdale" setting. In need of some new paint, but that's an easy fix. And, in the background, the future gincuzzi. Our niece wants to get it workable again. Not sure when...
A beautiful soft pink Camellia. There is also a white one, but no flowers to show yet. *keep scrolling...I just spotted one!
...but which one I am not sure. And to add to my confusion, I now think it's more likely a Cyathea smithii! Here's a helpful link:
- Scaly (Cyathea): These tree ferns have a trunk covered in scales, and their trunks are marked by hexagonal scars from fallen fronds.
- Hairy (Dicksonia): In contrast, Dicksonia species have a trunk covered in bristly hairs.
- Frond Scars: Cyathea species leave hexagon-shaped scars when fronds fall, whereas Dicksonia trunks are covered in the remnants of the broken stipes, often with a "skirt" of old fronds.
- Cyathea medullaris (Mamaku): Our tallest and fastest-growing tree fern, recognizable by its thick black stems and often colonizing slips.
- Cyathea dealbata (Ponga/Silver Fern): Famous for the white underside of its fronds and a source of the country's national symbol.
- Cyathea smithii (Kātote): Found in colder habitats, distinguished by a persistent "skirt" of old frond stalks around its trunk.
- Dicksonia fibrosa (Whekī-ponga): A hairy-trunked tree fern, often found in sheltered, shady areas.
- Dicksonia squarrosa (Whekī): Another hair-covered tree fern, commonly found near streams and wet areas.
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