First Frost

Last night was the official first frost in my 'hood. The thermometer mounted on a post in my covered patio recorded this:

It must have not have lasted very long because most plants are still alive and doing fine. I'll show you what I mean.

Clematis stalwarts: the florida species seem to prefer the cooler weather. This is the second year they've waited until fall to produce their second flush of blooms. The first being in spring.

Clematis florida 'Sieboldiana'

Clematis florida 'Alba Plena'

Diana, the blooming machine.

Clematis texensis 'Princess Diana'

Winter blooming Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles'

 

Cyclamen hederafolium snuggling up to some fun rocks.

This Abutilon loves the cooler weather.

Abutilon

I was pleasantly surprised to see one last blossom on this dwarf dahlia.

 But the overnight low temperature was unkind.

 Something similar happened with my Impatiens tinctoria. I was so happy to finally see its first big fat bud. 

Impatiens tinctoria

 But the frost had other ideas. Poor thing.

I think the plant is toast.

 It looks like the frost may not have hurt the Alstroemerias--another blooming machine.

Alstroemeria 'Tricolor'

Some of my fuchsias are still putting out flowers.

Fuchsia 'Beacon Rose'

 

Fuchsia NOID

Fuchsia 'Steel 'n' Stars'

I am so happy with my two Correa plants. They've been blooming since September and they should go clear through February if ... well, you know the drill. I'll be watching the weather and I have my blankets ready if it gets too cold. I'm hoping the hummingbirds will find the flowers.

Correa 'Dusky Bells' backlit by sunshine

Correa 'Dusky Bells'

 One more photo:

Correa 'Dusky Bells'

Correa alba 'Ivory Bells' is not quite as showy as 'Dusky Bells' but the leaves are nicer so it's all good. Check it out.

Correa alba 'Ivory Bells'

This gorgeous scabiosa is still blooming. I see varying reports of winter hardiness. I hope it survives because I've got an Alstroemeria with similarly colored flowers I want to plant near it after I move the Echinacea that are in that spot now. 

Scabiosa 'Gelato Blueberry'

 This Argyranthemum is still blooming. It took a break during July's heatwave.

Argyranthemum frutescens 'Madeira Crested Merlot'

Chocolate Cosmos, the only chocolate I allow myself anymore.

Cosmos atrosanguineus

I'm happy to see my Schefflera blooming. It's the first time in its three year history in my garden so I'm a bit obsessed.

Schefflera delavayi

Come on bees. Wakey, wakey... there's nectar for you!

There are a few fragrant flowers on this daphne.  

 Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance'

d

And speaking of fragrance. Check out what I think will be the last flower on my gardenia.

Gardenia 'Frostproof'

Salvia 'Hot Lips'

I have been pleasantly surprised with how long my Cirsium has been in bloom. I thought after June it would be done. But here are more flowers trying their darnedest to bloom.

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'

Ditto for the long-blooming Lewisia.

Lewisia 'Elise'

 The last of the raspberries... They were so delicious. What a bumper year for these jewels.

I bought some paperwhites to force. I'm hoping they'll be blooming on Thanskgiving. Do you think they'll be ready in two weeks? 

Finally I wanted to show you my little garden buddy. One of our resident Annas hummingbirds. S/he posed for me today.

I sure hope those fluffly feathers are keeping you warm, little buddy.

Thanks for visiting.

No Frost Yet

It's almost the middle of November and the thermometer has yet to descend to that place where old man winter ruins everything and makes me sad. The hummers are fighting over Fuchsia and Salvia nectar and I'm happy with the few remaining flowers scattered about my borders. No frost, but it's been raining cats and dogs, so working the soil is a muddy mess, evidenced by the yuck clinging to my garden shoes after digging and moving my Indigofera for hopefully the last time. 

My camera has never done a crystal clear job of capturing fuchsias. I should investigate the problem  but until then, my apologies for the the blurry photos   

Fuchsia 'Simon J. Rowell'

Fuchsia 'Debron's Black Cherry'

A potted Fuchsia 'Foolke' (I think.)

Fuchsia 'Mrs. John D. Fredricks' 

Fuchsia 'Golden Herald' not looking so golden these days

Fuchsia megellianica

Fuchsia magellianica 'Hawkshead'

Fuchsia 'Beacon Rose'

Fuchsia 'Rosea'

Rain-soaked blossoms of Fuchsia 'Burgundean'

NOID... This is my oldest hybrid Fuchsia, planted around 2000.
I didn't save the tag.

Fuchsia 'Flash' looking more purple than red here.

Fuchsia 'Tom Woods'

Fuchsia 'Steel & Stars' -- New this year from Dancing Oaks.
I hope it survives the winter.

I have two clematis that are still blooming. 

Clematis florida sieboldii, just opening

Clematis florida 'Alba Plena' just finishing.
Isn't the flower interesting?

And there's more:

Alstroemeria 'TriColor' -- the more creamy yellow plant

Alstroemeria 'TriColor' -- the more white and pink plant

Brachyscome 'Radiant Magenta'
I'm going to try to winter this over, protecting it from the coldest weather.

Salvia involucrata got huge and
took way too long to finally bloom but it's perty.

Salvia 'Amistad'

Salvia glabrescens 'Momobana'
This is a newbie from Dancing Oaks. Like S. involucrata, it's a late bloomer
but it's a compact thing, topping out at 2' x 2'. 

Rosa mutabilis is the working-est rose ever! 

Rosa 'Darlow's Enigma'

NOID ... a little miniature rose who, like me, refuses to give up on summer.

Penstemon 'Enor'

Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'

Little Blue Star Creeper stars (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Coreopsis 'Mercury Rising'

Geranium 'Jolly Bee' rising above Nepeta foliage

Heuchera 'Paris' divisions blooming away

Daphne transylvanica 'Eternal Fragrance'

A close up of D. t. 'Eternal Fragrance'

Daphne transylvanica 'Summer Ice'

Choisya ternata is really looking nice

Another water-soaked goodie, pink flowered California poppy.
(Eschscholzia californica)

Another little cluster on my 'Ayesha' Hydrangea

Hydrangea 'Glowing Embers' living up to their name.

Campanula lactiflora

Sphaeralcea 'Dark Pink' from Xera Nursery is still blooming.

Asarina wislizensis 'Red Dragon'

This is the second blossom on my newbie
Camellia sasanqua 'Narumigata'

Potentilla 'Pink Beauty'

'Hall's Honeysuckle'
Lonicera japonica 'Hallania'

And now for some foliage...

Seedling Japanese Maple

My beautiful banana

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'

Hebe 'Pink Elephant' putting on new growth

And finally, a little gripe, if I might.

I hate moles!

 Thank you for indulging me once again.