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.
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.
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!
magnificent!! flowers in December, who would have thunk??
ReplyDeleteIt's been a very strange December so far. No wonder some of the plants are confused.
DeleteWow, you have a LOT in bloom for December in zone 9. Dorothy. I'm impressed by all the roses, which barely made a showing here even in spring and summer. (I think they were too thirsty to do anything but hang on.) And you still have Canna blooms! I'd have thought those would be gone long ago. Your gardener is a jewel.
ReplyDeleteThe roses do keep going and going, as do the cannas. And yes, my lawn service guy is a jewel!
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteEnjoyed all of your blooms. Did I have a favorite one? Well, how about all of them?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alana.
DeleteLovely blooms, We share a lot of blooms this time of year . I love that particular variety of Jasmine ' Caroline ' in your garden.
ReplyDeleteCarolina jessamine is always a winner.
DeleteEverything looks lovely, Dorothy. If you want a gauge as to how the weather is changing, we have primulas in bloom at the front of the house, unheard of in December in Ontario. There is not a hint of snow anywhere, yesterday it was eight degrees, and for the next week the temperature is forecast to go above freezing every day.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is weird and troubling, a harbinger of things to come.
DeleteMy Yellow Bells and Turk's Cap both bloomed well this year. I'd like to get some Firespike.
ReplyDeleteFirespike is a nice plant. It blooms in fall and into winter and has long-lasting blooms.
DeleteYour garden looks wonderful and who doesn’t enjoy flowers in December! It has been unusually mild here as well and I don’t mind a bit, nor does the garden!
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't want to be seen wearing shorts on Christmas so I hope it does get a bit cooler before then.
DeleteThe Belinda's Dream' rose is stunning!
ReplyDeleteBelinda is always a winner. I love her big, squashy blossoms.
DeletePoor hydrangeas - I imagine lots of flowers are confused!
ReplyDeleteYes, they definitely are, and so are some of us humans!
DeleteBeautiful! I always love a tour through your garden. The prize this time goes to the Cape honeysuckle! Wow
ReplyDeleteThat honeysuckle has really been a winner this year. It's bloomed like never before.
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