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Category: My Dry Tropics Garden | Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:25 am

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Schlumbergera or Zygocactus ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

It's our Winter solstice today, and up here in the north, it's time for the beautiful Schlumbergeras or Zygocactus to show off their unusual blooms. Happy Winter Solstice to all my fellow Aussies.

Now while in other parts of the world the solstice indicates the beginning of a new season, here in Oz our seasons officially start on the first day of the appropriate month. So our Winter began about 3 weeks ago.

The temps. have become decidedly cooler here though, as our first Winter month gallops towards a close. I don't want you all to worry too much however, as our Winter temps here in the tropical north are rather mild compared to so many other corners of Australia, and indeed the world.

The mercury has been dropping down to between 10-14 deg C (50-57 f) overnight, so we've actually had to turn on the electric blanket for a couple of evenings this week.


Early Winter's morning sunrise ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

It's been difficult getting up early in the mornings, but I try most days just so I can take in the stunning sunrises we get at this time of year. It always seems to me that the sunrises and sunsets during our wintertime are just far more fabulous than at any other time of the year.

The daytime temps have been a lot warmer, between 23-27 deg C (73-80 F), which means I haven't as yet had to throw on a jumper or cardigan during the day.


Courtyard garden - Winter - end of June 2013 ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

Out in the courtyard garden, the native Sterculia quadrifida or Peanut Tree has been busy dropping most of its leaves, being a winter deciduous tree. The leaves have been carpeting the courtyard pavers and creating a bit of a mess out there lately. No sooner do I finish sweeping up piles of them, then I turn around to see more of the blessed things.


Courtyard Garden - Winter - end of June 2013 ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

Never mind, it means I'm forced to spend more time out in the courtyard where I can enjoy the lovely potted flowers and foliage.


Courtyard Garden - Winter - end of June 2013 ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

There are a few things blooming out there right now, like the Salvias, the Cleome, the Marigolds, the Impatiens, the Angelonias, the Celosias, the Violas, as well as the Ixora.


Petunia 'Bumbebee' ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

The first flowers have appeared on my Petunia 'Bumblebee'. It's one of my all-time favourite Petunias. I'm afraid the poor light out in the courtyard today means this bloom looks rather purple and green, when in fact it's black and yellow. Never mind, I'll take a better shot for next week's flaunt when hopefully it will be a brighter, sunnier day.


Justicia carnea or Brazilian Plume Flower ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

My particular favourite at the moment if the brilliant Justicia carnea. I adore the white plumes of this plant.


Salvia glechomifolia ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

Another favourite is the Salvia glechomifolia, but you need to get up close and personal to see its beauty. It does get a little lost in amongst all the other plants.


Cleome spinosa 'Senorita Rosalita' ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

The Cleome spinosa 'Senorita Rosalita', on the other hand, demands attention from appreciative eyes.


Yellow-bellied Sunbird ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

The Salvia splendens have been attracting quite a few visitors lately, like the Yellow-bellied Sunbirds ....


Australian native Blue-banded Bee ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

.... and our native bee, the Blue-banded Bee. These bees are loners, and this morning this little chap was busy feasting on the nectar ...


native Australian Blue-banded Bee ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

... as well as drinking the waterdrops that remained on the plant after I had watered.


native Australian Blue-banded Bee ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

Well at least, that's what it seemed to be doing to me.


Courtyard Garden plants ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

Elsewhere in the courtyard, the winter-blooming Euphorbia leucocephala or Snowflake Bush, is still putting out bracts and blooms behind the Cycas revoluta and Cordyline 'Morning Sunshine'.


Euphorbia leucocephala or Snowflake Bush ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

This particular Euphorbia is a common sight around here, and it looks fantastic when covered in its stark white bracts and tiny flowers.


Dracaena fragrans ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

There are also a couple of flower spikes on the Dracaenas that grow under the pergola.






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Mrs. Galeassi wrote on Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:20 pm:

Those are some great pictures! Everything looks perfect! :) Our winters are pretty much like yours here in florida, US. :) Have a good day/night.

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Bernieh wrote on Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:38 pm:

Thanks Mrs. Galeassi. I do so love our winters here. I can't complain about them. I have actually popped on a cardigan today though ... finally!

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Frank wrote on Sat Jun 22, 2013 12:23 am:

Happy Winter Solstice Bernie!

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Bernieh wrote on Sat Jun 22, 2013 1:00 am:

Thank you Frank. It was our first really cool day. Real winter weather for us!

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eileen wrote on Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:24 am:

Sorry I'm so late in saying Happy Winter Solstice Bernie - hope you had a good one anyway.
You posted some marvellous photographs in your blog and to say I'm impressed is an understatement. How I wish our winters could produce so many lovely blooms and be so warm. Great shots of the Blue Banded Bee. Must be slower than ours as I can never get one to sit still for too long. LOL

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Bernieh wrote on Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:33 am:

Thanks for the solstice wishes, Eileen. It's turned a little cooler this week, well cooler by our standards anyway. Our night-time temps have been getting down to around 11deg C!!

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