Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - October 2013

It's lovely to welcome you back again to my Algarve garden. 

I know it's almost the end of the month but I was too busy and sad to take photos on the 15th. I finally took these shots on the 20th. The nights and mornings are cooler and it has rained quite a lot. You can see the earth is a darker brown where I have been removing grass to make my beds wider. 

In the photo above the iceberg roses are thriving next to the yellow hibiscus. We put Mimosa's grave in front of the hibiscus. That dog loved this garden!

Moving along the same wall, here we have the red oleander (the only one with blooms at the moment) and the red hibiscus.

Here is another shot that shows how much grass is coming out for wider beds, by the front gate. It's still very much a work in progress. I try to work on this project after rainy days because digging dry Algarve soil is a very unsuitable job for a woman. In this area I have been trying the smothering method but it is taking sooo long! I might have to move that lavender...

The rain has done wonders for the roses. This one bloomed again after a few months' pause.

There are some red blooms near the gate.

Here is a bloom from my other white rose and you can see the orange tree in the background, heavy with fruit.

These roses are from cuttings a neighbour gave me a couple of years ago. The wetter weather brought some undesirable pests to the roses, unfortunately. Ecological solutions didn't get rid of them. In the end I had to resort to chemicals.

Finally, this shrub, called "Dama da Noite" in Portuguese, bloomed again, releasing it's sweet scent into the cooler nights. Does anyone know its English or Latin name?

Looking back over my blog I've just realized that I joined Carol's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day in September last year. How time flies!

I'm off now to link to Carol's May Dreams Gardens. Do visit my garden again soon!

Mediterranean Garden Fair, Faro

I stumbled upon the Mediterranean Gardening Society's site while googling something or other a few weeks ago. I didn't even know a Portuguese Branch existed!

As the site mentioned an upcoming garden fair in Estoi, near Faro, I decided to check it out. I'm glad I did!

   MGS nerve centre

Plants for sale

More plants for sale

Masterclass on making more plants, by John Vellam

Masterclass on pests and diseases, by Rosie Peddle

I'm afraid I missed the first masterclass. The two I attended were brilliant! Of course, I came away with more than very useful and practical information - I just couldn't resist buying some of the plants on sale and I wasn't the only one. Business was brisk. The weather was great. I'd say this event was a great success!

I'll be looking forward to future events organised by the Mediterranean Garden Society.

Mimosa (2000 - 2013)

She came to me at the end of September 2000. She had been rescued in Espinho and I was lucky enough to adopt her.

I come to your house and have to wear this ridiculous thing for how long?!

In 2005, already in the Algarve, and sharing my attentions with three more rescue dogs.

Do you like this pose? I'm doing my best to look fierce!

This summer

What am I supposed to do while you cut the grass?

Last photo taken on 15th September

Don't you ever get tired of taking photos of the flowers?

I had to have my best, most loyal and oldest four-legged friend put to sleep on the 14th of October.

She was my shadow for over 13 years - wherever I went, she had to follow. If I left the room for a few minutes, she'd come looking for me, even when we visited the vet for the last time.

I miss my sweet Mimosa so much!

Cee's Fun Foto Challenge: Candid Shots

Updated to fix the link to Cee's new blog url.

Friday was Animal Day so this is going to be all about animals.

I just love walks on the beach!

If we do synchronized lying down for you, will we get the leftovers?

Wait a minute, I'm scratching my itch.

Stopping for some photos on an Algarve country walk.

Visit Cee's for more candid shots!