But the reason I'm late for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is because I've had company. Although I do have to admit I almost hated to go outside. I dreaded seeing the garden in this state. And I wondered myself if there would be any blooms outside.
Well, most of the rose blooms were frozen on their stems. Only a few had a fresh bloom or two left. How these few still look good, I'm not sure. But I was thrilled to see them.
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| Impatient |
And the camellias I planted just so I would have blooms in the winter also had their blooms frozen on their stems. Quite sad. All except for Green's Blue:
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| Green's Blue camellia |
This camellia is in a very sheltered area, next to a brick wall. Perhaps that's what saved it. I'm not sure, but even the buds look like they escaped harm and will bloom as usual.
Anything else blooming? A few surprises:
Gaillardia, scabiosa, and a confused dianthus.
And, of course, the reliable pansy.
But, you were almost right. Not much is blooming now.
So, if you're thinking that January and February may be completely bloom-less months, that just may be the case. I'm actually surprised to say, that's fine with me. I no longer dread to go out into the garden. There may be hardly any blooms out there, but that's o.k. I've realized that the beauty of the garden now is not from flowers, but from form.
Still a nice set of blooms! Any plant flowering at this time of the year is a fab bonus :)
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to have blooms in December - even just a few! :)
DeletePretty Rose blooms. You know I actually have some buds on a couple of mine which is unreal for here.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Wow! I'm surprised about your roses! I guess this will be an interesting winter!
DeleteWish there was even that much here. I'm waiting for Witch Hazel!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a witch hazel, but I do have loropetalums, which are related, and they bloom early, too.
DeleteYou do have some garden surprises. The weather must be holding out because your blooms look mighty good. My roses were nipped too, but the plants are in full bloom.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been odd - very warm during the days, but it dips down low at night. Usually we don't have such difference in temperatures.
DeleteI particularly loved the photo of the pansy. I plant them by my front step, so they smile at me from spring until late fall. I miss them now that they are under the snow. Thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteThe pansies here are winter flowers as it's much too hot for them in the summer. But I love to see them all winter long here - as you say, they smile at you!
DeleteYou still have many more blooms than we do --and we haven't had much cold weather yet... George has cut all of the roses back --but if it doesn't get cold and stay cold, they won't stay dormant long this year... Crazy weather!!!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for our sweet little Pansies. Without them, we would have no color in our yard during the winter...
Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy
I love pansies for that little touch of cheer during the winter. I hope it stays cold enough for your roses to stay dormant. We don't cut our roses back until February, just in case it stays warm all winter!
DeleteLovely blossoms for a mid-December day, although they look like they might be shivering a little bit. :)
ReplyDeletehaha - Yes, those dips in night time temperatures made us all shiver! :)
DeleteWonderful! I'm surprised your Camellias froze--I thought they could withstand very cold temps. I love them and am seriously envious because I can't grow them here.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised the camellia blossoms froze, too. But I think the buds will be just fine and I'll have lots of camellia blooms again soon.
DeleteYou nailed it! I too find form to be very important and inspiring in the garden though I would so love to see a few blooms like yours this time of year! I can not believe you all have had temperatures in the 20s! Beautiful blooms as always!
ReplyDeleteSome years it is so warm here, the form really doesn't show, but this year I've noticed that the form is showing well. Which is a real learning tool!
DeleteI don't have ANY blooms right now, but I must admit I am enjoying the break from gardening. Those pansies have adorable little faces. Happy Holidays! P. x
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you, too, Pam! My break is in the summer, when the temperatures are so high. Right now, I should be working outside every day (but I've been busy inside getting ready for Christmas!).
DeleteIt's always so touch-and-go with winter bloomers -you never quite know if they'll make it (except pansies, of course). But the sole camellia is stunning! We've had only a few nights in the 20s in Raleigh so my kniphofia rooperi is just about ready for its late show. I might have New Years flowers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning your kniphofia. It reminds me of a new bed I want to put in! :) Flowers for New Years sounds fabulous! I hope it blooms just in time!
DeleteSo lovely to see your winter blooms - the only flowers we're seeing here are indoors! :) I so love your camellias!
ReplyDeleteI love the camellias, too, and was surprised to see them frozen. I have come to rely upon seeing their blooms through the winter.
DeleteYou still have some winter blooms. Here it is all over after some heavy frosts. So we are looking forward to January when normally the Hamamelis and snowdrops start flowering.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to have blooms all winter. We shall see. February is always the worst month for my garden.
DeleteContinued frost here in Scotland for almost 2 weeks soon put a stop to any late bloomers! Been a thaw here for the last 2 days and I noticed that a couple of my Dianthus has some buds.
ReplyDeleteNice for you to have a few blooms - that Camellia is a lovely colour.
I was shocked to see the dianthus in bloom - interesting that your has buds on it, too! They must be tougher than I thought!
DeleteLovely Holley as it is beautiful even without blooms. We are still above normal in temps although above normal for us is 40s in the day and 30s at night...but we are getting ready for snow and cold headed our way just in time for me to travel for Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteIt has been an interesting winter so far. Cold temperatures, almost record lows, combined with almost record highs other days! It just can't seem to make up its mind this year!
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