Believe It or Not

Here it is, the middle of December. Despite an ice storm last week, I've still got a few flowers hanging on. Granted the temperatures didn't drop that low, just barely enough to freeze the pouring rain onto bare tree branches. But it was interesting. 

The following day, it melted and my plants are no worse for the wear. However, we have more cold weather coming later this week. Boo!

Here's what's going on. 

The final flower on this Rehmannia (Chinese Foxglove) is looking a bit tattered. Oh I forgot to mention that we had hail yesterday too. 

Rehmannia elata

This Geranium flower is also a bit tattered. I wonder if the bud will bloom before the cold snap.

Geranium 'Jolly Bee'

Despite the weather, I still have two summer-blooming Clematis hanging on. The C. Venosa Violacea typically has much more purple but this one is pretty, I think.

Clematis 'Venosa Violacea'

I bought this C. florida sieboldii in September. It had buds so I let it bloom and it just keeps on. 

Older bloom of Clematis florida sieboldii

Newer blooms of Clematis florida sieboldii

I purchased this dainty small-flowered rose bush last summer. It's been in bloom nonstop since then. The flowers are dime-sized in diameter--tiny and sweet. I've got it under the protection of my patio roof. 

NOID  Rosebush

Fuchsia 'Olympics Sunset'

My Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) shrub is loaded with buds! A few flowers have opened early but oh boy do I have a fragrant fest in my near future. 

Chimonanthus praecox

I was a little lax in getting my slug bait down, as evidenced by this poor Hellebore. But, it has buds!

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ruby Glow'

More buds!

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ruby Glow'

But more importantly, the foliage, look at the foliage!

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ruby Glow' foliage

My green-leaved Daphne odora has buds too!

Daphne odora

And check out the tiny flowers on this Heather.

Erica carnea 'December Red'

 And tons of buds on this Viburnum.

Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'

Check out the reluctant buds on my Tetrapanax. It will be interesting to see how they respond to the cold weather. I hope they'll bloom so the winter bees and hummers can have a treat.

Tetrapanax papyfifera 'Steroidal Giant'

My daylilies are really messed up. Look at the buds! This must be the result of a warm fall.

Hemerocallis 'Coming Up Roses'

Hemerocallis 'Final Touch'

I'm thrilled that last summer I got myself an evergreen Maidenhair fern. I'm going to keep it in its pot under the patio for this year. Then plant it out next spring. 

Adiantum venusum Himalayan Maidenhair Fern

The Beesia is blushing...

Beesia deltophylla

Although surrounded by dying deciduous neighbors, my Schefflera looks happy.

Schefflera delavayi

I'm in love with this Farfugium. Look at those leaves! 

Farfugium japonicum 'Crispatum'

And this Fatsia:

Fatsia japonicum 'Spider's Web'

Here you can see what the 32 °F did to my hardy banana.

Musa basjoo ~~ Before

Musa basjoo ~~ After

Finally, a photo of my patio pond. There is a large Japanese maple that drops a ton of leaves here. I was finally able to get out and gather them. Now I can look outside and not be nagged by that mess.

Patio pond

I hope you're enjoying your garden. 

Don't Blink!

April, already! This is the time of year when you dare not blink or you'll miss something. Plants are waking up, stretching and smelling the coffee in the form of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours. It is my favorite time of the year with everything still fresh and new and alive with promise. Except for my 'Chandler' blueberry plant which looks scary-sad. But we won't discuss that today. Instead we'll, enjoy the positive. 

Taking advantage of the "free shipping" in February, I purchased several plants from Annie's Annuals. Included in the lot was Eccremocarpus scaber 'Pink Lemonade'. Look! It has already started blooming! 

Eccremocarpus scaber 'Pink Lemonade'

It's still in a pot because I was worried about a late frost. With the predicted 85 degrees (F) predicted for Thursday, I'm thinking we might be finished with any cold threats for the season. So, where to plant it...

Boxed tulip bulbs from Winco (grocery store) last fall are vibrant and lovely and fabulous! 

This tulip has been in the garden for several years,
despite my consistently errant trowel.

One of my favorite shrubs, Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red' has been in my garden since 2001. It never fails to wow me with its fragrant, spring flowers. 

Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red'

Every year I have a little contest to see which of my rose bushes will bloom first. This year, the award goes to this little thing--Rosa chinensis 'Angel Wings'. I grew it from seed last year. It was surprisingly easy. 

Rosa chinensis 'Angel Wings'

The 'Angel Wings' rose bush, about 2 1/2 feet wide and tall.

Last year I purchased two of these cute, white-flowered Primulas for a shady border. They are performing really well. 

Primula sieboldii 'Late Snow'

My only surviving Loropetalum is blooming right on cue. I'm not sure which species it is. But it doesn't really matter because it's perty. 

Loropetalum sp.

I've also finally figured out how to grow all the new Daphnes being introduced to willing gardeners--leave them the **** alone!  No transplanting, no over-primping... just plant it and sit back.

Daphne x rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Stacht' 

Only one new Clematis vine (so far this year). Typically I go for summer-blooming varieties, but this cute spring-bloomer had me at first sight.

Clematis alpina 'Constance'

I LOVE the genus Dianthus. Here is the first bloom of the year. I'm not sure which variety because I have so many. 

Dianthus sp.

Visiting my sister in Woodburn last month, I purchased this cute Viola at Al's Garden Center. It's super fragrant. Although it's a hybrid, I hope it will reseed and come true. 

Viola x  'Hip Hop'

Speaking of fragrance, oh goodie! It's almost time to perfume the room with Lily of the Valley blossoms. 

My containerized Lily of the Valley plants... Convallaria majalis

I'm loving the foliage on my 'Lemon Wave' Hydrangea.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lemon Wave'

But, my favorite Hydrangea foliage is on Hydrangea 'O Amacha Nishiki'.

Hydrangea serrata 'O Amacha Nishiki'

I know Plume Poppy is a spreader but I love it anyway...

Macleaya cordata or Plume Poppy

Ultra-compact, Acer palmatum 'Ben Hime'

Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy'

I love the fuzzy foliage on this little Salix...

Salix nakamurana var. yezoalpina

I'm seeing 'Spotty Dotty' Podophyllum all over now. It wasn't that long ago when I thought it was "rare." Such a cool plant for the shade garden. 

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'

And now, lookie! Flower buds...

Look at all the white leaves on my Fatsia 'Spider's Web'

Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'

Fortunately I'm finally seeing some green on my hardy Banana. I was starting to think it was a gonner. 

Musa veluntia 'Dwarf Orinoco'

And now for some yard shots:

For about the past year or so I've been collecting river rocks. I really like green jasper or other green-hued ones. For now, they're making their new home right here along this border.

The White-Striped bug master.

The neighbor's dog Tucker.

I hope you're enjoying your gardens!