If you would like to see what might be giving other gardeners hope, visit Carol at May Dreams Garden who hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the fifteenth of each month, even January.
January 15, 2014
Bloom Day - Winter Sun
After last week's low temperatures, I did not think there would be anything to show for this month's Bloom Day. We got down to 14, which I know is nothing compared to other places, and besides, temps that low should actually be expected once in a while in zone 8. Though I don't think it killed any plants, I won't know for sure until spring. I do hope it killed a few fleas, some mites and maybe some scale. I walked the garden this weekend not thinking I would see any blooms, but was surprised that the quince was blooming and my Edgeworthia was starting to show color, though I will show these some other day. What caught my eye instead was the activity going on around my Mahonia x 'Winter Sun', where half a dozen honeybees were gathering scarce winter pollen. It is always a surprise for me see honeybees here in the city, but it is especially so in January. It gave me hope.
If you would like to see what might be giving other gardeners hope, visit Carol at May Dreams Garden who hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the fifteenth of each month, even January.
If you would like to see what might be giving other gardeners hope, visit Carol at May Dreams Garden who hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the fifteenth of each month, even January.
I am surprised your Edgeworthia survives such harsh temperatures. Well done for growing it, I have killed two and feel it would be a great extravagance to kill another. I thought it was winter cold that killed it but perhaps not if you grow it there. Does it prefer an acid soil?
ReplyDeleteChloris
On PRI's the world I heard an interesting story about urban beekeeping in Berlin, and how the bees foraged on all of the container and balcony plants in the city.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Lea
Nothing to see in my outdoor garden but snow and animal tracks. But orchids with fat buds will provide flowers indoors soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo Les and of a wonderful winter blooming shrub. I wonder how far your honeybee visitors are traveling to find the sweet flowers. Happy GBBD
ReplyDeleteEvery year is different; this started out as our cold year. That Mahonia is lovely. I've always meant to plant one. Happy Bloom Day.
ReplyDeleteYour Mahonia 'Winter Sun' is a pleasant sight and what a nice surprise to walk out into the garden and find it blooming! Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a ray of hope--especially after the polar vortex. I wonder if I'll have any missing perennials after the deep freeze. Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteLovely image Les. I worry about what is happening to the bees.
ReplyDeleteI blame Monsanto and their ilk.
I'm hoping it killed back my Tetrapanax 'Steroidal Giant'. I know it killed the flower buds on my Edgeworthia, if not the whole shrub. That is a hopeful picture.
ReplyDeleteWell, our Mahonia 'Soft Caress' shows every sign of not surviving the 6 degrees that we received (14 degrees was a regular baking compared to 6 degrees). I will probably give 'Soft Caress' another try if it doesn't make it because it was pretty nice looking for fall. If it fails I will probably give 'Winter Sun' a try...
ReplyDeleteSometimes, one bloom is enough. :^)
ReplyDeleteWow on 14! I'm relieved to see honeybees too after all I've read about their decline due to pesticides and herbicides. Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteThe Mahonia is beautiful as usual in January, when all else is cold and dreary. But the bees are a surprise. I thought they were mostly dormant when it's cold and don't become active till it warms up a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe bees are a sweet surprise and your Mahonia blooms are so cheery at this dark time of the year.!
ReplyDeleteThey are saying the intense cold will have killed some of the larvae of the emerald ash borer. In Minnesota they think most of the larvae will be killed, but around here they are predicting around 20%, which will just slow them down a bit.
ReplyDeleteTemperatures have been brutal for you. That's one tough little mahonia and I'm thrilled to see the honeybees enjoying the pollen!
ReplyDelete