Thursday, December 13, 2018

It's Almost Over

Can you believe 2018 is almost over? The years just seem to fly by, don't they? We had some 28-30ish degree nights a week or so ago but now we're back to normal. In fact, just now, as I write this, I saw a honeybee outside. Nature is so resilient. 

So here's what's blooming:

The first blossom on this Camellia. Isn't is gorgeous?
Camellia sasanqua 'Shishi-Gashira'

I have this Rhodochiton under cover and it's still got a few blooms. I hope to overwinter it.
Rhodochiton astrosa 'Purple Bells'

There are still a few flowers on this Mimulus. It looks cute with the variegated Ficus, doesn't it? Both are in pots.
Mimulus x aurantiacus 'Cherry' and Ficus pumila 'Variegata'

This fragrant pelargonium is still blooming too. 
Pelargonium 'Filbert'
 More blossoms and buds on the Correa!
Correa 'Dusky Bells'

And this one too:
Correa 'Ivory Bells'

A few, rather tattered flowers on my Abutilon:
Abutilon cv.

In the front of the house by my main door, I have a large container with year round interest. The Viburnum tinus is so happy.
Viburnum tinus pink buds!

Viburnum tinus pink buds turning white before they open to white flowers.

Viburnum tinus

Speaking of Viburnum, 'Pink Dawn' is also happily doing its winter thing:
Viburnum bodnantense 'Pink Dawn'

The few common Primula that I have are all starting to bloom. This one has been in the ground for several years. Not my favorite color but hey, this time of year, all flowers are welcome.
Primula japonica

I was pleased as punch to see the first blossoms on my Chimonanthus. Check out all those buds! The fragrance is UH MAZE ING!
Chimonanthus praecox

Still more blooms on this Clematis:
Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles'

 And this Clematis is just finishing with a few more blossoms opening:
Clematis florida 'Sieboldi'

Still blooming is this Lewisia with more buds popping up:
Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise'

Nandina--such a common plant during the summer but look how it shines in the winter!
Nandina domestica 'Moyer's Red'

The dwarf Nandina planted by my patio pond, even without the berries is equally vibrant this time of year.
Nandina domestica 'Wood's Dwarf'

The Sarcococca isn't quite there yet but it's still early. Come January it will be alive with blossoms.
Sarcococca ruscifolia

And also full of promise are the Daphne: 
Daphne odora 'Marianni'

And the green-leaf Daphne is even closer to blooming:
Daphne odora
 She's going to be beautiful!
Daphne odora



Here are some wide shots of my garden. Be warned, it looks pretty sad these days. I'm behind on mulching and I don't cut back most of my perennials until spring.
The patio pond










Don't you love the "winter interest" here? Not so much. The banana-leaf monster is here again!



But I will focus on the green. Here are a few leafy lovelies:

Windmill Palm grows much slower in a pot. This ones been here for ten years.
Windmill Palm -- Trachycarpus fortunei

Umbrella Pine -- Sciadopitys verticillata with a variegated Boxwood

And finally, here is a little hardy cactus I bought a few years ago from plant lady Trina Studebaker.
It's getting bigger. I am hoping it will flower someday. But for now I'm just glad I've been able to keep it alive.  
Opuntia

I hope there are bits of joy in your garden too!

4 comments:

  1. I hope the Rhodochiton overwinters for you. I tried it once and it didn't survive, but that was before I had the greenhouse. It didn't do so well inside the house. My neighbor has an enormous banana that looks a lot like your monster. I tried growing one but didn't pick the right spot, apparently, because it died and never came back.

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  2. My Correas are blooming too! There's less color here at this time of year but our temperatures are much higher than yours and so there are still plenty of blooms if you look hard enough. I remain envious of your Clematis.

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  3. So many pretty flowers in your garden at this darkest time of year. Aren't we lucky to live in such a mild winter climate where we can enjoy blooms every day of the year? The wide shots are swell too. Gardens in winter have their own charm and beauty (banana monster and all.)

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  4. No, I can't believe 2018 is almost done. Your blooms are so cheery, especially the pink Viburnum buds and flowers. I actually find the banana leaf "monster" fascinating. Are you able to compost the dried leaves or use them as wraps for any purpose? Just curious--I've never had the luxury of having large tropical plants like that survive outdoors.

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