Here in Southeast Texas, we were not exempted from the effects of the Arctic front that enveloped much of the country this week. We had two nights of freezing temperatures, unusual for us this early in the season. The freeze put an end to some of the blooms I had intended to include in my post.
Things like my Cape honeysuckle which had bloomed beautifully for a few weeks. But it can't take temperatures below 30 degrees F so the blooms are faded now.
The bees were very sorry to see it go. So were the hummingbirds.
The almond verbena was also affected by the freeze. The large shrub was full of these sweet-smelling flowers.
Fortunately, I had recently added a few plants for winter color. These cyclamen, for example.
They are unaffected by freezing temperatures.
My winter garden wouldn't be complete without the sweet-faced pansies.
And their smaller-bloomed cousins, the violas.
The snapdragons add their splash of bright color to the mix.
This salvia is a recent addition as well. It was in a protected area and its blossoms survived the freeze.
The Mandarin oranges were ready for harvest and my helpful daughter picked them for me.
The Meyer lemons, though, were not ripe yet. Citrus fruits don't continue ripening after they are picked so these have to stay on the tree a bit longer. Fortunately, it seems that the temperatures didn't get so low that the fruits were damaged.
There are several clumps of chrysanthemums scattered around the garden.
They come in various colors - like this pink.
And this gold one.
These beautyberries also provide a bit of color in the garden. Several of my shrubs have already had their berries picked clean by the birds, but this one is still loaded.
Autumn sage doesn't mind cold weather.
Blue plumbago does, but some of its blooms have survived. The blooms seem to get bluer as the season advances.
The purple oxalis has continued with its blooming.
In a clear sign of the season, the muscadine grapes are beginning to turn color, as are the leaves of the vine.
Our autumns usually are the briefest of seasons between our long, long summers and our very short winters and they normally don't include very much really cold weather, but the climate is changing and the norms we have come to expect in our weather are changing, too. We had a very light frost on Halloween night this year and a killing frost this week, three weeks earlier than usual. I wonder what our winter will be like.
I hope you are enjoying whatever season prevails where you are and that you and your garden are thriving. Happy Bloom Day!
Thank you, Carol of May Dreams Gardens for this monthly meme.
Our autumns usually are the briefest of seasons between our long, long summers and our very short winters and they normally don't include very much really cold weather, but the climate is changing and the norms we have come to expect in our weather are changing, too. We had a very light frost on Halloween night this year and a killing frost this week, three weeks earlier than usual. I wonder what our winter will be like.
I hope you are enjoying whatever season prevails where you are and that you and your garden are thriving. Happy Bloom Day!
Thank you, Carol of May Dreams Gardens for this monthly meme.
You are fortunate to still have so much colour. Our dominant theme is white, and will be so for a few months to come, while grey imposes its dismal hue on slushy sidewalks and pavements . Ah, the joy of urban winter! In the hinterland and woodlots, however, all is crisp and clean, with the dark green of conifers furnishing rich contrast, and the gold of beech leaves still clinging to spindly branches. Horned Larks scour the snow for seeds and Snow Buntings swirl in clouds of chittering good cheer. Rough-legged Hawks scan for rodents, competing with foxes for dinner. Now, THAT is winter!
ReplyDeleteYou are describing the kind of story-book winters that I grew up reading about. They sound quite wonderful. Our winters are a respite from the heat - most of the time - and are much appreciated.
DeleteBeautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteI meant to include Beautyberry in my post today, but it has been so cold that I haven't been down to the edge of the woods where they grow. One day a few weeks ago I was visiting a friend whose Beautyberry is right next to her house. As we stood on her carport talking, a Mockingbird came very near us to eat the berries. An amazing experience!
Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!
I use a lot of native plants in my garden and I have several beautyberry shrubs in my backyard, both the purple and the white cultivar. They are some of my favorite plants. Favorites of the birds, especially the mockingbirds, too.
DeleteNice pictures. Here on Long Island, New York it went down to 21 degrees Fahrenheit the other night. I actually am already longing for spring.
ReplyDeleteOur low got down to 28 and we felt like we were in Antarctica!
DeleteWell we got down to 70 degrees but it will go up again for the weekend. I love how the Blue Plumbago gets more blue in the fall. Mine does that too. I feel like I should knit you a scarf, except I don't knit.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well, it's the thought that counts.
DeleteWe got to 19, but then again, this weather would have been normal for us - a couple of weeks from now! Oh well, I enjoyed your blooms and they will help sustain me until April. Around here the colors of the season are now white (the snow has mostly melted, though - it got above freezing the last two days) and dreary grey - just in time for the next blast of arctic air.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a cold gray and dreary week but the sun came out today and it was gorgeous!
DeleteI am craving for chrysanthemums seeing your post..never heard of beauty berries are they edible ..Lovely blooms ..Happy Garden Bloogers blooms day
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am aware, beautyberries are only edible for wildlife. They are greatly loved by the birds in our area.
DeleteFabulous flowers! I love the colors and hope my garden is as bright this year.
ReplyDeleteMy Corner of the World
New Zealand always seems bright in the wonderful pictures that you share.
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