Tomato Envy

This past weekend there were a lot of Open Gardens near where I live, in aid of the local Anglican churches.  Even though most of the gardens were open both Saturday and Sunday, P and I only managed to get out and about on Sunday afternoon.  We saw some fabulously gorgeous gardens - large, small and medium sized.  Some of the larger gardens were just amazing - windy paths that seemed to lead on for miles with open countryside on several sides.  One of the larger gardens was beautifully manicured, the other much wilder - although the wild one had the biggest pond I have ever seen outside of a park.

It had some beautiful wildlife around the pond, including this dragonfly.

And had proper waterlilies which were in flower.  I don't think I've ever actually seen a flowering waterlily in 'the flesh.'

At least with the larger gardens I could console myself with the fact that our garden is so much smaller in comparison that I could never emulate the loveliness of those.  Sadly, for me, a lot of the gardens were much more modest in size but still put mine to shame.  People were growing blueberries in pots on their patios, or had milk-chocolate-scented Chocolate plants in their borders. 

Or had really exotic blooms like this one - which I don't even know what it is.

And everyone seemed to have a lovely water feature somewhere in their garden.  The nicest one had been built using old railway sleepers and was like a little waterfall - very inspirational and extremely soothing to look at.

But what really made me incredibly envious was this whole garage wall of tomato plants with little green fruits hanging all over them - how do people manage to get their tomato plants so big??  Seriously, these plants were about 8 feet tall!!  I came home and gave my miniature-by-comparison tomato plants a good feed - and I had been feeling smugly pleased with their progress before I saw this mighty lot.  I've obviously a lot more to learn about tomato growing.

Also, just to say that this morning at the 'Coffee and Jumble' I came across what might well be the motherload of vintage Christmas decorations - photos to follow tomorrow when I've got a bit more time - there are some real gems in there I can tell you.

Comments

[Pebbledash]

The exotic-looking plant you have photographed is a bottle brush, native to Australia. If it's any consolation, my tomatoes don't look as impressive as that lot, either!

[sharie]

I keep missing garden open days. Mind you its probably a good job as mine looks like a derelict plot of land!

Can't wait to see what you picked up this morning. I don't see any vintage christmas decorations - just horrible cheap plastic nasty things no one wants.

[taphophile]

Yep, your exotic bloom is a Callistemon - common name Bottle Brush. Looks like one of the more recent ones http://www.anbg.gov.au/callistemon/index.html