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!                                                              

Lawn daisies...lotsa!

A mystery! As it's a seed pod and the only one I found, I'm not going to try naming it! Too many look-alikes so I'll keep my eyes open for flowers. It could have been blown in on a stiff breeze...

Agapanthus, I do know! There quite a few planted along the fence which borders a laneway. I've started weeding grasses from them.

Clivia. Again, lots of them (or a similar strappy plant; flowers will tell!) This is behind the gincuzzi.

Podocarpus Henkellii. Or Henkell's Yellow wood. It's actually on a neighbour's side of the fence, but hey! I'm happy to share!

The GIANT Magnolia, still with a few blooms, but rapidly leafing-up.

Old-fashioned lavender, usually called English Lavender, and yesterday I bought a pot of its French cousin.

.

The French cousin

I've been calling this tree fern a Dicksonia...

...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:

New Zealand's tree ferns, or ponga, primarily belong to the Cyathea and Dicksonia genera, distinguished by scales (Cyathea) or hairs (Dicksonia) on their trunks. Notable Cyathea species include the towering mamaku (C. medullaris) and the distinctive ponga or silver fern (C. dealbata), while prominent Dicksonia species are whekī (D. squarrosa) and whekī-ponga (D. fibrosa). These ferns prefer sheltered, moist environments and are iconic symbols of New Zealand's native flora, with their fronds symbolizing new life. 

Key Characteristics & Identification

• 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. 

Common New Zealand Tree Ferns

• 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. 

I think this is more than enough for you to chew on.

While I was dodging showers and looking at tree ferns, I

found this pretty little pink violet.

And some more Arum lilies

I'm not sure if these little guys have names, but I think of them as Bill and Ben...

I just love the gumboots!

And to close...