"Footprints of spring"

Perhaps August should be redefined as the first month of spring in Sydney?
Sunday, 06 August 2023     

Chorizema cordatum

Although it is still officially winter, the footprints of spring are already in the garden. In recent years, it has been suggested that the conventional four seasons don't adequately reflect the pattern of our year in Sydney. To me, and many other gardeners, early spring begins in August and continues through September, with all the time-honoured flowers of the season. The weather in October and November is quite different and equates more to an English summer, with plants in bloom to match.

I do love this time of year! Suddenly, a passing breeze is reminiscent of Vanuatu rather than the Antarctic. Early mornings are lighter, the days seem perceptibly longer and slightly warmer even though the nights are still cold. The sun feels noticeable stronger and the first time we feel its gentle warmth on bare arms again is blissful after months of layered clothing.

The early spring light is clear, and the air is fresh and crisp yet soft and sweet, and begins to smells almost 'green', like at no other time of year. The pristine cool early mornings in August and September are one of the most magical times of the year to wander barefoot in the garden, discovering new plant growth and self-sown seedlings.

The first warm and sunny days at this time, with soft blue skies, puffy little white clouds and a soft zephyr filled with floral fragrance of Freesia, various early-blooming wattles and jasmine, are euphoria-inducing to gardeners and non-gardeners alike, drawing us outside into our own or other people's gardens. The psychological effect of the renewal of energy and the excitement of early spring in revitalising our spirits seems linked inextricably to powerful rhythms of the natural world as the grip of winter is broken.

Though I don't have many of them growing in my own garden (which is focused on summer and autumn), I enjoy seeing all the traditional early spring icons as I walk around our neighbourhood: the chalice cups of magnolias; classic bulbs such as bluebells and daffodils; annuals such poppies, wallflowers and stock; the fairy-floss sugary blossoms of ornamental peach and plum trees; the massed colours of azaleas and other classic spring-flowers such as may bush (Spirea cantoniensis) and Wisteria; and the myriad dainty blooms of many native plants, such as Chorizema cordatum pictured at the start of the blog: they all burst into flower to tell us that early spring is here.

Even looking at flower buds is thrilling! I love prowling around the garden looking at the swelling buds on various plants: the tight buttons of Eupatorium megalophyllum, which will burst into fluffy puffs of mauve flowers later this month; the flat, white fingers of Clivia buds nestled right at the base of the clumps, like a bookmark in a leafy book, soon to plump out and emerge with gorgeous orange or creamy-yellow trumpets blooms; and the strange claw-like buds of Cymbidium orchids that will shortly open their waxy, long-lived inflorescences.

Leaf buds will soon burst open on deciduous trees and shrubs to reveal a baby-hair fuzz of brand spanking new foliage totally unmarked by pestilence, disease or the weather; and through the earth will appear the snouts and fronds of herbaceous perennials emerging after their winter rest. Everything will soon begin to grow again, gradually at first and then furiously as spring gathers momentum in September, when it seems almost possible to see plants growing before our eyes.

Alas, these days in Sydney are not always filled with the idyllic weather we would like to imagine for early spring. August often brings high winds and cold snaps, and heavy rainfall can sometimes occur in this month, though so far this August hasn't produced much rain at all. The essence of early spring is unpredictability, and balmy spells must simply be enjoyed while they last. Cool weather often returns in September, causing us to reach again for the electric blanket and heater which we might have thought were by then redundant!

Blog first posted 16 August 2009; updated 6 August 2023.


 Reader Comments

1/9  Ian - 2119 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 17 August 2009

Hi! Deidre. We walked yesterday with some friends from Killara to Roseville Bridge and back. The wildflowers in the bush were bursting with colour. Coming back through the suburban streets was a treat. So much blossom. Magnolias, azaleas and all the early bulbs. A great day. Ian

Thanks, Ian. It is a great time of year for such a walk! Hope you took lots of pics! Deirdre


2/9  Alida - 4566 (Zone:11A - Sub-tropical) Monday, 17 August 2009

Thanks Deirdre. Great article. Pottering in the garden yesterday was a sheer delight!

Thanks, Alida. It certainly was a perfect day for gardening, as was today. Deirdre


3/9  Margaret - 2122 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Thursday, 20 August 2009

Love your eloquence and prose, as well as the information. The past few days have been heaven in the garden!

Thanks, Margaret - yes, this week has been superb gardening weather! Deirdre


4/9  Shaun - 2075 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 07 August 2023

Oh yes the 'eloquence of words' I agree ,as well as current Spring update, Thanks Deirdre, Shaun Thanks, Shaun! Deirdre


5/9  Kerrie - 2104 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 07 August 2023

What a beautifully written piece Diedre! It really is a gardener's love story! I just wanted to let you & the readers know, the delightful Ivy Alley at Hunter's Hill is open this weekend too. I'm going over for a visit, some lunch & a stroll around beautiful Hunter's Hill. Thanks, Kerrie. Hope you enjoyed your visit to Ivy Alley. I agree it is a delight! Deirdre


6/9  Greg - 2299 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 07 August 2023

That was such a pleasure to read. Every time i read your blog it reminds me of Mirabel Osler's writing: sentimental, evocative and warm. Thank you! That is so kind, Greg! Thank you. Deirdre


7/9  Margaret - 2122 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 07 August 2023

There are glimpses of spring plants appearing, such as freesias, daffodils, pansies, etc. which brings much joy to gardeners. I have had three flowers on one of my hydrangeas for the whole of winter, also some cane begonias always have flowers for the whole year. Lovely to see the glimpses of spring in your garden, Margaret. Deirdre


8/9  Sue - 2074 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 07 August 2023

Thanks Deirdre for a very lovely read. It certainly feels like spring is on its way. Fat promising buds on my Magnolia Inspiration, Cliveas and Eupatorium and the Fringe Tree is spotted with pink. It's such a joyful time of the year to see the garden come to life. Thanks so much, Sue. The weather is up and down at the moment, but that seems to be the nature of early spring. Deirdre


9/9  Maureen - 2118 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Tuesday, 08 August 2023

As always Deidre an inspiring blog and hopefully we will have some regular showers over next few weeks. My Chorizemas are flowering well - the blooms last so long!! Maureen Yes we desperately need rain; hoping for some this coming week. The chorizema has such a lovely flower! Deirdre


Make a comment

* You can only post comments on Blogs if you are signed in. If you are already registered please go to the Home page and Sign-In first. If you are not an iGarden member please click here to register now.

My eBooks (PDF)

Plant of the week

Most-recent blogs

Early-autumn daisies
24 Mar 24
Daisies contribute to the beauty of early autumn in Sydney gardens.

Paradise revisited
17 Mar 24
I revisit a stunning Sydney acreage garden.

A bromeliad solution
10 Mar 24
Bromeliads provide a solution to difficult, dry, shady spots in Sydney gardens.

Refreshing whites for hot days
03 Mar 24
These white flowers add a touch of coolth,

Grooming the garden
25 Feb 24
Prepare your garden for a renewed lease of life in early autumn.

Previously at this time

2009 - 09 Aug
2010 - 01 Aug
2011 - 07 Aug
2012 - 05 Aug
2013 - 04 Aug
2015 - 02 Aug
2017 - 12 Aug
2018 - 12 Aug
2019 - 04 Aug
2020 - 09 Aug
2022 - 07 Aug

Promotions