Aubergine

The aubergines have been very successful this year and have produced a number of large glossy purple/black fruits.  I love the idea that they (including tomatoes, potatoes & capsicum) are all from the nightshade or Solanaceae family and potentially so dangerous with their vast and interesting mix of alkaloid properties!  Which reminds me of a wonderful book that I discovered recently by Amy Stewart - Wicked Plants, The weed that killed Lincoln's mother & other botanical atrocities.  This is a book which explores the realm of poisonous and deadly plants and the science, history and folklore surrounding them - it's a fascinating read with lovely ink illustrations reminiscent of old botanical texts but with a modern twist.

There are a number of famous gardens which highlight these types of plants - the most famous being that at Alnwick in England.  I rather like the idea of a garden of plant 'prisoners'.

Garden Bouquet

The one remaining dahlia corm that has survived the wet clay conditions of the garden is in full flower.  Makes a dramatic focal point in a green garden bouquet of herbs (rosemary, lemon verbena, bay, parsley and coriander flowers).  I am very fond of the perfect architectural form of the dahlia flowers so must hunt out a free-draining spot in the garden to have a full on old-fashioned riotously coloured dahlia bed.

Local History

There are some special sculptural elements which have pride of place in parts of the garden.  The one above is a terra-cotta creation by local artist Jill Guilleman.  It is a wonderfully rustic rendition of a local historic landmark - the old butcher's slaughterhouse in Kaukapakapa (see below).  

I have placed the 'birdhouse' on a gnarly old Totara fencepost (still with rusty barbed wire attached) to emphasise its rural character and origins.  

Kaukapakapa is one of the earliest settlements on the Kaipara, and it is really special to remember that history in the garden and create an interesting focal point.