Our manuka (tea tree) is currently in full bloom, its snowy white flowers are adding colour to the forest.
I can guiltily remember, when I first arrived in New Zealand, decimating a couple of trees to use the branches as kindling to light the fire. Blame my Kiwi relatives-in-law who told me tea tree was a bit of a pest. As I'd never lit a fire in an open fireplace in my life until then, I really appreciated how reliable it was as a fire starter. Thankfully, these days I am a little more enlightened and appreciate the tree as the source of manuka honey with its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
I don't know how I've never noticed the pretty little flowers on swan plants. I picked up a twig that had been knocked off by a passing car. There are a dozen or so plants lining the drive to my house, self sewn according to my neighbour.
It won't be long and the caterpillars will come along.
