Here, however, our climate is a little of this, a little of that. A little bit of freezing, with a sprinkling of some snow some years. Still, I wondered if I could get some plants to bloom during the coldest months of the year. So, I began to plan and to plant.
Then, digging around on different garden blogs, I found a fun monthly group of participants engaging in a garden game of sorts. Called Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, I realized this would be a test of my garden, and of my skill as a gardener. I did have a bloom in January. So, I was optimistic, but still a bit worried about February, especially after the unusually long freezing temperatures we sustained.
Well, I'm tickled and pleased to present my first addition to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. A camellia bud just beginning to open:
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| Camellia japonica 'Professor Charles Sargent' |
If it had opened earlier, it would have frozen. But it held off, even though I begged and pleaded with it to hurry and bloom. (Thank goodness it didn't take my advice!) It is now opening slowly, but surely (I've been watching it every day), and even though it's in bud stage and not technically a bloom, I'll take it. Of course, as every gardener knows, each year is different, and I may not always have a bloom, or even a bud, to share. But I've always loved a challenge.
It's been a hard year for Camellias with so much prolonged cold. Like me, they don't mind a freezing night here and there but too much cold and we just frizzle right up. Happy Bloom Day -- we will have Camellia blossoms soon. Fat buds show promise.
ReplyDeleteYour new bud is very pretty and lucky you is still intact. I just love all your rose images. Strange, but this is the second time I picked your post. They have not been registering and this is the third blog this happened with. Hope it works here. Happy GBBD and welcome.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I don't think it is possible for me to have blooms outdoors all year, but thankfully there is the Internet to enjoy the blooms that others share. :)
ReplyDeletealoha,
ReplyDeletelove the anticipation of this first camelia bloom, its almost there :)
thanks for sharing this today
Nell Jean - most of my camellias bloomed early December. This will be the last to bloom. I'm planning on acquiring more (but don't tell my husband!).
ReplyDeletegardenwalkgardentalk- Yes, I was worried the freeze would kill it. But I've been studying it and it will definitely bloom - in its own time. I've learned you can't hurry a camellia. Thanks for the picks, and for the compliment on my rose pictures. I'm anxious to get more this year.
Hanni - Unfortunately, it's not possible in most places. Every zone has its own pluses - and minuses. I, too, am thankful for the internet as I'm learning about more flowers to try!
noel - thanks for commenting. Yes, I will be thrilled when it and its companions finally bloom. But anticipation is part of the fun, too, isn't it?
Lovely little camilla bloom. I have a special place in my heart for camillas. They give so much and require so little to bring me joy. This is an important skill in a plant when it is dealing with my gardening skills.
ReplyDeleteYour camilla bloom is a welcome sight during these cold winter months. It is so very pretty. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found your blog! The Camillia is so sweet, and I love your header photo -- peach-colored roses in full bloom. Is there anything lovelier than that?! Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeletelifeshighway - I, too have a sentimental love for camellias. As I acquire more, I am slowly learning their ways.
ReplyDeleteLandscape Design by Lee - Thank you! I agree that camellias keep the gardening fire alive (at least for me) in the winter. It's so nice to see something blooming when everything else is sleeping.
PlantPostings - I'm glad you found my blog, too! Peach-colored roses are my favorite. I have almost every shade - from soft buff and apricot to bright orange!
The transition to Mentors on Blotanical was not as smooth as might have been. You did nothing wrong to resubmit. Things are cool. Some of the messages that you get regarding who's your mentor are auto-generated. Not to worry.
ReplyDeleteNo anticipation drives me more crazy than watching those fat japonica blooms waiting to open. How wonderful when the first bud unwraps itself! I love 'Professor Sargent'! Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteFloridagirl - they do take their own sweet time. Another trying lesson in patience. But I suppose we cherish their blooms all the more because of it.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and so exciting to watch that first bloom.
ReplyDeleteCher
Goldenray Yorkies
Sunray - thanks, it is! (exciting, that is) And the first bloom always gets photographed more than the rest, too. But in return, it has to endure our pleadings.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a lovely little bud!
ReplyDeleteMac - thanks, and thanks for coming by and commenting.
ReplyDelete