Hi All,

Spring has been slow arriving here in the North Island near Auckland.
It seldom gets below freezing, sometimes the occasional frost (only a couple this year), but we have had lots of cold rain, cold wind, and cloudy days.

Finally the sun has arrived and I decided to wear my shorts today....

This is a Magnolia Stellata. Pink/maroon flowers which fade to white, and leaves just starting to break through.




I have a dozen or so Camellias but the only one whose name I know is this one "Bob Hope".



This is an Australian Frangipani.
The first flowers on it for the season.
Another few weeks it will be bright yellow all over, and a lovely fragrance in the air.



This is an early season Rhododendron. No idea what it's called.





This yellow tree is a Kowhai (Ko-Fai), a NZ native.
Amazing display of buttery yellow flowers which some birds love especially Kereru (Giant Native Wood Pidgeon).
Behind this is a flowering plum tree which are normally ready to pick just before christmas. The two larger trees in the background are Totara, another NZ native, these are evergreen Podocarps.

A couple more pics, this is a peach, I think it's called Golden Queen.
Beautiful fruit in late January.

Took these pics just before the sun set.

A few more pics, spring has ramped up and in full swing. We need some rain, been dry for a few weeks now, so worried we might be in for an early dry summer....
Callistemon (Australian Bottlebrush), a favourite for bees and nectar seeking birds.


Borage and an annual bulb for which the name escapes me.


This flower has a special place.
The story from my late mother was that this plant was one of a few plants she took from her mothers garden after
her death (my grandmothers, not my mothers...) that was in 1962. So this plant is at least that old, or it's forebears.


Why mow the lawn when you get a free flower show?



Bee and bumble bee

Meyer Lemon

Camellias, but can't remember the names.