I’m finally feeling like myself again after a week and a half of vertigo. It was nice to walk through the garden on this unseasonably warm day.
I met a brave squirrel while crouched taking photos.
Nonchalant squirrel
He spotted Mouse-the-cat and wandered off, but he really wasn’t in any hurry.
It’s all about me, right?
After refilling the hummingbird feeder, I enjoyed this little darling in flight.
Ana’s Hummingbird lands on the feeder
Hummingbirds need to eat every thirty minutes
The garden show stopper this time of year is the Hardenbergia Violaceae. Who doesn’t like a gorgeous vine that flowers in winter?
Hardenbergia growing along the fence
Flower closeup
No need to raise your hand.
I found this lovely description along with a bit of history from San Marcos Growers in Santa Barbara, California:
Hardenbergia Violaceae ‘Happy Wanderer’ (Purple Vine Lilac) requires little water once established. The species is widespread through much of Australia and can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania where it grows from along the coast to up in the mountains. It was first described (as Glycine Violaceae) by the Dutch botanist George Voorhelm Schneevoogt in Icones Plantarum Rariorum in 1793 from cultivated plants that were thought to be from seeds collected in the Sydney area in the first few years of that settlement. Glycine is the genus of the related soy bean (Glycine max) and this plant was later combined with Hardenbergia, a name Bentham used in 1837 when describing Hardenbergia ovata. The name for the genus honors Franziska Countess von Hardenberg, sister of the Baron Karl von Hugel, a 19th century Austrian patron of botany who collected plants while on an expedition to Australia in 1833. The specific epithet is in reference to the typical color of the flower. Other common names include Purple Coral Pea, Happy Wanderer, Native Lilac. Because the long, carrot-like root was reportedly used as a substitute for sarsaparilla by Australian aboriginal bushmen, it also has the common names Australian Sarsaparilla and False Sarsaparilla. The Australian aboriginal name for it is Waraburra.
Don’t you love learning new things?
I hope you enjoy your weekend, rain or shine, snow or thaw. I’ll see you next week.
Hardenbergia leaf and bud
Gardening Nirvana 
So glad you are feeling more like yourself. The purple vine is lovely. And I think I must be a hummingbird. 😉 We have similar eating patterns, but, sadly, not the same svelte shape.
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Guess what? I grew a Hardenbergia ‘Happy Wanderer’ over my car port in the last house I owned In Wellington. It was prolific and flowered for months making every departure and home coming a joy! It makes me smile that you have one too, Glad to hear you are feeling better! xoxo
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Gasp, all the loveliness just a step out your door. Beautiful moments one and all. I can just about imagine your walk thru the yard. First, “oh hello little squirrel, how are you?” Then, “good-good morning birdies, I just left you a yummy breakfast.” Finally, “there you are, hello Sweetie Pie (Mouse). What’s that baby? Yes, I love you too.” After sprinkling everything with love, you wander by the Hardenbergia and all is golden in your world. The best ending would be we sit together on the garden swing, drinking our morning tea’s and coffee and plan what we’ll get up to together. Someday ❤ xoxox Love you! K
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Your vine is lovely Alys – must be a joy in winter! I also love finding out about the names and origins of plants, and the details you found are really interesting. The plantfinders must have been so excited when they discovered such new flowers. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a plant named after you? Glad you are feeling better now. Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
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Oh! That photo of Mighty Mouse is gorgeous, Alys. I just want to squeeze his handsome features! Does he spend more time at your place than his real home? Your neighbours are so lucky to have such a kind heart living next door. Our neighbours aren’t too fond of cats (such a foreign concept to me!) so I am conscious all the time of making sure ours stay close to home. Your Hardenbergia is so lovely – a real pick me up! So glad you are feeling better – and you’ve got your amazing trip to Washington to look forward to. How wonderful that will be? If only I could click my fingers and be there for a day with you all – aahhh! one day! Have a great weekend, dear Alys! xoxoxoxoxox
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So happy to hear you feel good again, Alys! Rat gone too and such beauty in the garden too, enjoy my dear, well deserved!!
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I am thrilled to hear the dizziness is finally gone. I’m glad the house has been put in order again and you can breathe a sigh of relief. I love the vine. I don’t know that they would survive our freezing temps here. We have sunshine but the furnace is running full time to pay for it. When the gray gloom goes away, we get icy cold. No humming birds here yet that I have seen but then I haven’t looked up in a week.
You do get some remarkable photos. Mouse is adorable. He knows where he is loved. Thanks for the tour of the garden. I must go and refresh my coffee now. We will be off to Bob’s Red Mill for breakfast as soon as the children wake and do some shopping for good healthy flour and grains. 🙂 Then more unpacking and arranging. It’s never ending.At least we will be fortified. 🙂
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What a beautiful feast for the eyes (and soul!) in your garden!!!
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Thank you so much. I love every moment I can spend there.
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Thank you. Well said, too. A feast for the eyes and soul.
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That photo of the hummingbird in flight is amazing! I can only image how special it is to have little jewels flitting through the air. Your Hardenbergia is wonderful — great to have something flowering through winter. I am sorry to hear that you haven’t been well. Vertigo is such a rotten thing. Stay well now. X x x
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Thank you, Anne. The hummingbirds are a treat. You would enjoy painting them I’m sure. I took a class with my husband at a local wild bird store and learned so much about them. They’re remarkable birds.
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It’s great to hear you’re feeling much better! Enjoy your garden saunters 🙂
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Thank you, Aileen.
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I’m so glad you are feeling better, Alys. My thoughts have turned to you often these past couple weeks. Vertigo is an awful thing.
I’m also glad you were able to get outside and enjoy the garden.
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Thank you so much, Laurie. Thank you, too for taking the time to read and comment. Between your day job, the campaign, the conference and your blog, I’m sure you barely have two moments to rub together. I hope it is all going well.
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