This is one of the new trailing violas, whose name escapes me now.
I was surprised to see my Ogon spirea (Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon') blooming so early, usually it does not start until February. The foliage is still colorful on it as well.
My Edgeworthia chrysantha is fat with buds, and it should be a great show this year. My nose can hardly wait.
Camellia sasanqua are still putting out good blooms, and there are many unopened buds waiting for the right temperatures to open. The first two below are 'Autumn Rocket' followed by 'Kanjiro', then the seasonally appropriate 'Yuletide'.
'Yuletide' is in the back garden by the pond. Across from it is a Stachyurus praecox 'Mitsuzaki', and this is one of the few years it has had good fall color. Usually it looks more like the Tetrapanax (in the front of this shot) at this time of year.
The fish pond has yet to freeze this year, and its inhabitants are still active, wondering why I have not fed them recently. The orange and white koi has blue eye lids so I named him/her Sinatra, and the other one, who is black, orange and hard to see is Burning Ashes. The goldfish swim unnamed.
Fish are not the only creatures in my garden, Penny and Isabel are usually out there as well, but don't usually look so serious.
Inside, my Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera) are blooming right on cue, though the pink one is not very Christmassy.
You can see what's blooming on other people's kitchen window sills, or in their gardens, by visiting Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Every month on the 15th she hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.
I'd like to wish all of you a merry Christmas if you celebrate, happy holidays if you don't, and a happy new year as well.
I am jealous of your Edgeworthia, they don't seem very hardy here. I have killed two. Or at least the frost has. It is a gorgeous thing. I love your camellias. Lovely to have so much colour in December.
ReplyDeleteChloris
I am sorry you can't grow Edgeworthia Chloris. It is one of my favorite plants.
DeleteWhat an enjoyable post for us northern gardeners! I love the koi names and the pink petals trailing on the pond. I keep thinking I should plant that spirea and seeing it at this stage give me one more reason to do so. Lastly, I have to say as someone who is not a dog person, that you have a a lovely pair. I think I could learn to love them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I am fairly certain that Spiraea thungergii should be hardy for you. The flowers normally bloom in Feb. for us, but I grow it for the foliage.
DeleteLovely blooms, especially the camellias. I sure wish they were hardy enough for my garden...
ReplyDeleteCarol, there are some zone 6 camellias, it might be worth trying. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteLovely blooms with raindrops clinging! Cute pups, too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Lea
I never have had a Christmas cactus, maybe next year! Did your Tetrapanax bloom this year?
ReplyDeleteLoree, my Tetrapanax budded, but never opened before the freeze got it. Yes, you should try a Christmas cactus.
DeleteNice to see Bloom Day raising it's colorful head somewhere. In CT we had to deal with 6-10" of the white stuff but everything was done long before that anyway. Happy Bloom Day Les!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your snow Sue, unless you are one of those people who actually like the stuff.
DeleteMarry me Les, and take me away from our cold Canadian winters ! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry Sybil, I am already taken, but if I hear of anyone who might want to rescue you, I'll let you know.
DeleteWhere have I been, I didn't even know you had a pond. And with koi!
ReplyDeleteYour camellias are beautiful. I didn't know there was such a thing as trailing viola either and must investigate further.
Obviously you like hounds -- did you catch the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving? A foxhound won and that dog was one of those dogs that is so special one doesn't have to be a dog expert to see how good she is. She has the magic. I thought the bearded collie did too.
Sweetbay, I do indeed like hounds and was able to see Jewel win the National. She was a very good looking dog. American Foxhounds are the state dog here in Va., My Isabel is a Plott Hound, the state dog in your state.
DeleteIt seems like you aren't that far away and yet your garden is In another season, beautiful. Here it is all snow covered. I like snow but the unseasonably low temperatures have frozen all my open camellia flowers twice and I think the buds are frozen too. At least I got photos in between the two freezes and was able to do a post!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your inconsiderate weather Carolyn. We do enjoy a remarkable climate in this corner of the state. The rest of it has more in common with Pennsylvania.
DeleteIs this the same Edgeworthia that came under attack sometime ago? It recovered well.
ReplyDeleteIsabel was the last to join your pack, right? She seems well adjusted. Love the koi pictures with the leaves floating above. I'm always amazed the fish can survive such low temperatures!
p.s. Kudos on the marriage proposal :-)
Chavliness, yes that is the same Edgeworthia after 5 years of careful pruning it is getting back to where I want it. We have had Isabel since March, and while we got off to a bumpy start, she has turned into a good dog and welcome member of the pack.
DeleteWet, but beautiful Les! I love the names for your koi and the shots of the leaves floating overtop of the swimming fish. Your dogs have such regal faces.
ReplyDeleteI also took a look at the Longwood series. What a garden. My favourite images have to be the those giant round water lilies and I love the picture of the lady handing the boy a lily flower.