We had 15 mm of rain – 0.6 of an inch – yesterday, and so far today we have had double that. The temperature has dropped substantially as well, today reaching only 23 degrees Celsius – or 73 Fahrenheit.
Finally, it feels like autumn is in the air!
The wet garden looked so pretty, so I took my camera out to the front veranda and took a couple of photos, nothing spectacular, just “feel good” photos of my garden soaking up the refreshing rain and cooler weather.
Just the other day, I dead-headed the summer-tired flowers on the Magnolia ‘Little Gem’, leaving just new buds on the shrub. Today, the pure white flowers have opened – shown in the first photo. I was sorry I couldn’t take my camera out into the rain for a closer look! So zooming in on the flowers from the protected veranda gave me a clearer view.
The second photo is of a plant my mother always called a Jade. I’m not convinced that’s it’s actual name, as I have seen Jade plants that look different to mine, but to me, it will always be Jade.
This Salvia is looking lovely right now, although it has been, at times, a tad frazzled over summer. The Hydrangea next to it provides some protection from the hot afternoon sun. As for the Hydrangea, I am amazed that it is still covered in so many lush green leaves at this time of year! It is really enjoying the rainy weather.
The Gardenia is beginning to flower again now, after a quiet summer of dormancy. It’s a shame these flowers do not last for long looking this soft and velvety or I would bring them indoors for a vase.
Yesterday morning, when choosing flowers for my vase, I didn’t pick any Chameleon Roses as I can see they will drop their petal soon. Today, however, they are still hanging on, possibly due to a new lease on life with the rain. The lilac bud in the top-left of the photo is a new Society Garlic flower.
And finally, I promised I would share a photo of a Finger Lime fruit – and here it is. Those tiny caviar-like balls are so full of limey taste; I am surprised there isn’t a Finger Lime tree growing in every garden in Australia!
Who knows if this lovely autumn weather will continue, but for today, I am enjoying every cool minute of it. ❤
In My World 
What a beautiful Gardenia flower and the Magnolia too! The Finger Lime Tree sounds intriguing, I’ve never heard of it.
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Thank you, Cathy. 🙂
The finger lime is native to Australia and I haven’t heard of it growing in any other countries.
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We’re supposed to reach 73°F today, too, but for us it’s a warm up for spring rather than a cool down. 😉 It’s been years since I smelled a gardenia — I love the scents they give off. Yours is so pretty. The finger line fruit does look like it would be tasty. Enjoy your autumn days!
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I adore the scent of Gardenia too, Barbara. It’s really unmistakable! 🙂
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Magnolias and gardenias are two of my very favorite flowers, and I looove the scent of the gardenia. I’ve mever heard of finger lime fruit. They’re very interesting looking.
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The finger limes are very different too, Michaela. When cut in half, those tiny baubles squeeze out of the fruit!
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Your title woke me up again to our polar differences… I love the balance it provides in our seasons, the best of both worlds. 🙂 Finger lime sounds intriguing… how do you use it?
Your ‘jade’ is of the same genus: Crassula, so your mother was right. 🙂
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The finger limes are mostly used in salads and have a beautiful zingy flavour. I’ve heard they can be used to decorate cheesecake too, so I will try that out.
Mum would be pleased to know it is definitely a jade – aren’t mothers always right? 😉
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I’m glad you had a nice cleansing shower for your garden! The magnolia is beautiful. The gardenia must smell lovely, I know they deteriorate quickly. Do you ever bring one in just for the scent? I’ve killed a finger lime, I should try again. tzgarden.blogspot.com
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Ahh, so you have them in the USA? That’s interesting! Do try growing one again; I’d love to hear how it goes. 🙂
As much as I love the scent of Gardenias, they make my husband sneeze! So I am limited to admiring the flowers outdoors.
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Wow! Beautiful! We have gardenia down in Alabama here in the States, but I’ve NEVER seen a finger lime! How facinating!
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Thank you, Dawn. 🙂
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I always appreciate the onset of fall, although unlike spring which always comes early fall tends to battle with summer for an extended period before it can be declared to have arrived. I’ve wondered what a finger lime looked like – thanks for sharing your photo!
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We usually have the same summer-autumn battle here, Kris, but this year autumn has definitely arrived in March. I have even been gardening more now the weather has changed, so I’m very happy. 🙂
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I am intrigued by that lime fruit Joanne! I suspect they don’t travel well which is why I have never seen one here. Can you make jam with them? Your cooler days must be very welcome after all the heat and humidity of summer. Will it be drier in autumn and winter?
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Yes, you can make jam with them, Cathy! I will need my tree to be more mature so I have more of the fruit, but it’s definitely something I will make in the future.
Autumn and winter are always drier seasons, although this year the rain is continuing a bit. It’s raining now – as I write!
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