It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, not anymore. But last week it really looked like Christmas, as evidenced by the photos.

Berries from Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'

Leaning Myrica californica (Pacific Wax Myrtle) branches

Euphorbia stygiana

Melianthus major

Allium schubertii already up!

Carrots wintering in the trough

The snow is gone now. Time for spring.

I wish.

Love to you all.

What a Soggy Mess!

In the past week, we've had a lot of rain. And a pretty strong wind storm too. Despite the weather drama, I have been able to sneak in time to get things planted. I still have more to do, of course. Don't we all? 

On Thursday, garden buddy Carol and I went to our local nursery's fall sale. Wow, talk about good stuff. 

Among other things, I bought this huge 'Peppermint Swirl' Hydrangea. 

Look at the flecks of darker pink and white. I love it. 

After losing one of my Daphne odora to last winter's nonsense, I was happy to find this $5.00 replacement!
Yes five bucks for this beauty. Daphne odora 'Mae-jima'. 

I just love the fuzzy-wuzzy look of my Chenille Plant. (Acalypha pendula 'Firetail')

I know I keep showing photos of my Fuchsias but I LOVE them. 

This NOID Fuchsia has never looked better. 

Geranium 'Elke' decided to put out one last blossom. 

Mimulus x aurantiacus 'Cherry' 

A water-soaked Honeysuckle blossom

STILL blooming, Coreopsis 'Mercury Rising' 

My Cup and Saucer vine is also still blooming. 

As are my Alstromeria. Can you believe that?

Rain-soaked and leaning, Salvia 'LaTrinidad Pink' is a trooper.

Arbutus unedo usually starts blooming in December but this year it started in September and is still going strong.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' is happy. 

My Tetrapanax didn't get quite as tall as I wanted but that's okay. 

There are lots of new leaves on my Acanthus mollis. 

Red berries on my Skimmia japonica. 

Cotoneaster microphylla has berries too. 

"Welcome" is such a cliche but when I saw this sign for two bucks I bought it. 

Reality check

Finally, a very blurry photo of a Canadian geese fly-over. 

Snow!

Winter is not messing around this year. The National Weather Service website predicts a low temperature of -3 tonight. For those of you living in Alaska, (Christine) or The Great White North, (Barry, Joy, Barbara) or Nadezda in Russia, this is just everyday stuff. Or even my sister in Baker City on the eastern side of Oregon who endures horrific winters with style and grace. But not western Oregon. Our average low temperature is 35 degrees F. Although we're classified as USDA Zone 8, most winters never go lower than Zone 9--below 20. So this is highly unusual weather. 

I heard on the news tonight that today the average high temperature for the continental United States was 14. That's pretty freaking cold for all most of us so I'd better quit my whining.  

At 2:00 PM my lovely, rusty thermometer on my covered patio read 38 degrees.

At the same time, the thermometer on the outskirts of my garden read 39. 

This is what our street looks like. Packed snow. 

And now, on to the backyard where all the fun is. I have a ton of photos so I'll keep my comments brief.

May I present the Ghost of Banana's Past

Not much prettier close up. 

Beyond the fence you can see down into the Willamette Valley.
Before my neighbors planted these trees we had a gorgeous year-round view.
Now it's visible only during the leaf-less winter months. 

An attempted snowman. 

The birds have been enjoying the Cotoneaster lacteus berries. 

I am not a good bird photographer but I lucked out today. 

They were waiting for me to get lost so they could resume their feast. 

Here you can see two robins drinking the melted snow run-off from the gutters. Adorable. 

Fortunately, so far the hummingbirds are doing okay. If you look closely
you can see one sucking on a Arbutus flower. 

My Kale 'Lacinata' is looking very sad. 

Notice the icicle on the right? There are lots of those. 

There's a solar light under there. 

The sign reads: "There's always thyme for flowers." 

The aesthetic state of my Tetrapanax is not good. 

Viburnum bodnantense 'Pink Dawn' trying to bloom. 

Behind the low hedge is Feijoa sellowana “Pineapple Guava."
So far it looks to be doing okay. 

A close up of the Felojia. It looks perky.  

Below that dollop of snow is a cluster of red-hued Hens & Chicks.

Another icicle. 

My Carpenteria californica looks no worse for wear. 

A Rosemary and Phygelius are also no worse for the wear. 

Scott, this grass makes me think of you.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Sarabande’ 

Check out all the plump buds on my
Chimonanthus praecox “Winter Sweet” 

Here is a close up. Aren't they cute? 

Under this pointy tent is my Melianthus major.
I have no idea whether it's dead or alive. 

Eucalyptus nicholii or Willowleaf Gum is also looking good,
despite of the cold. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

Fatsia japonica is looking sad but alive. 

Throw me a blanket, it seems to be saying. 

Keep warm everyone!