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'

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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.

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.