Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - December 2018

Once again, the fifteenth of the month is upon us and it's time to take stock of what's blooming in our gardens for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, the popular meme hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  Click here to see what's blooming in gardens around the world.  Thanks, Carol, of continuing to host!  Here's most of what's blooming in my USDA zone 8 western Washington garden this month.  We recently had a few days with lows in the 20's and it's been interesting to note the warm and cold spots in the garden.

One brave dianthus.  In the cold, blooms last much longer. 

Viburnum × bodnantense 'Dawn' will be blooming all winter. 

Frost?  What frost?  Abutilons were not bothered at all. 

Mahonia nearing the end of it's blooming season.

 Jasminum nudiflorum

Pineapple sage outside under the eaves of the greenhouse benefited from the extra warmth there. 

In the greenhouse...

Butterworts (Pinguicula) seem to bloom without end.  

Impatiens niamniamensis 

Back outside.

I thought that the fuchsias would be goners for the season but not so much. 

Fatsia japonica

Hope.

Nope  (well, maybe.) 

I didn't take pictures but most of the tetrapanax buds are now drooping but there are a couple of plants whose buds are erect and may just bloom.

What's blooming in your garden during this dark time? 

I'll leave you with this wish for you and the world this holiday season:

If, like me, your Finnish isn't so great, here's an English Translation:

Peace of Mind 

Only two Christmas presents, 

only two I'd wish for 

  Just a small moment to take a breather

 and definitely peace of mind   

I only wish for Christmas magic

 I wish our hearts don't worry 

at least for a while

 and Christmas brings that hopeful moment

   If only with the mild night wind

 Christmas would bring once again 

some peace of mind

 to this confused world of ours   

Why should I wish for gold

 more unneeded odds and ends

   Would those bring

 that moment of rest 

which feels like forgiveness