Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - December 2021

It's been a warm and dry December so far here in zone 9a just outside of Houston and even though my garden shows the effects of its trials over the past year it still manages to give me a few blooms.  

Yes, it really is December but this normally spring-blooming hydrangea is very confused.

No confusion here. If it's December, I have to have a few pots of red cyclamen around the yard. Can't have them in the house because my evil cats eat them. 

This yellow canna has done its best this year. It's almost ready to rest but still has a bloom or two.

This old orange canna is basically undaunted by anything.

The firespike blooms have been open for a while and are almost at the end - literally.

The cosmos bloomed all summer, then reseeded itself and is now blooming again.

Likewise this four o'clock. They bloomed all summer and have now reseeded. The warm weather encourages them.

Pink Knockout rose - a constant bloomer.

'Julia Child' rose is almost as constant.

'Belinda's Dream' rose.

Esperanza, yellow bells.

The petunias seem to be mostly resting at the moment but still have a few blooms.

The Cape honeysuckle has been the star of the garden these last couple of months and shows no signs of slowing down.

Another constant bloomer for about ten months of the year - yellow cestrum.

The pentas by the patio are still blooming.

As are the white pentas by the front entry. 

Purple trailing lantana.

Turk's cap 'Big Momma.' It lives up to its name, covering much of the south side of the house. 

Carolina jessamine has its major blooms in January/February but it is getting an early start.

The blue plumbago still sports a few blooms.

The loquat tree is full of these sweet-smelling blossoms, promising a lot of delicious fruit in two to three months.

The man who takes care of our lawn for us surprised me by having his crew plant pansies all around all the bare places in my front yard beds. All those leaves are from the red oak tree. They cover the yard every time the wind blows, which is often in December. 

Now I have these sweet little faces looking at me every time I go outside.

Of course, sometimes they hide their faces.

They always make me happy. Merry Christmas to me!

The echinacea is still blooming.

And more echinacea.

And finally, the Encore azalea.

Thank you for visiting me this month. Whatever end-of-the-year holidays you celebrate, I hope you are able to joyfully spend them with family and loved ones, and may our new year bring us all good things and especially a successful garden!

Thank you, Carol of May Dreams Gardens for hosting this meme.