rambutan

15 Mar, 2026

Dear Ciara,

The first few weeks in the new house are over. It has been a wet few weeks, and a surprisingly emotional few weeks for me too. This transition into home ownership—and this change in scenery— has been challenging. I admit, I haven’t adjusted to the change as easily as I thought, but each day I find myself settling into my new community and discovering things to be excited about.

I cannot begin to express how much I have appreciated The Organist during this time. Hopefully now that we have settled, the sea of my emotions will begin to calm. I am often treacherous waters; he, thankfully, is a coral reef that settles my waves.

I’ve have begun to get stuck into the garden. In the side garden bed—the one filled with tropical plants—I found room for both my hibiscus plants. The dappled shade will suit them, and I await the little sparks of colour they will provide to a mostly lush green palette. I have also nestled my cat whiskers plant in there too, knowing that it likes shady, wet conditions. I’m hoping they will all flower soon.

Mostly, though, I’ve been working on the front garden. My goal, as I’ve said previously, is to transform the space next to the front stairs into a bird sanctuary. It already has good bones: two mature rambutan trees (that may or may not fruit—we shall see) and a striking cinnamon tree with long spindly limbs. Beneath them are a large alocasia, various philodendron and caladiums, and some other shrubs I cannot name.

I began by pruning one of the large rambutan trees, allowing light to filter down beneath it. Next, I filled the lit space with small pentas seedlings, a couple of red salvias and a pink angelonia. I hope these will fill out and flower profusely. Yesterday, I started early and planted two ixora seedlings, some rain lillies and two native dutchman’s pipes. These I hope will crawl up the rambutan trees and attract Cairns Birdwing butterflies. I’d like to get another flowering plant variety, but for the moment, I’m not sure what that might be. Maybe a hoya of some kind? Or I could fix some orchids to some of the branches?

I have also planted two callistemon varieties: “Candy Pink” and “Little John”. These will crawl across the mulch and create a carpet of flowers for the friarbirds and honeyeaters.

I must be doing something right, because we have already had our first sunbird visit the front garden. Take a look:

The song for today is:

Minecraft — C418

Some relaxing Minecraft music that suits the rainy, monsoonal weather.

Love,

The Gardener

#birds #gardening #redforest #weather