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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Bloom Day December 2012

Let's see, it's December 15 so there are only 10 more days until Christmas,  6 more days until the solstice and the end of the Mayan Calendar, and what else?   Oh yes, it's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day sponsored by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  To see what's blooming in gardens around the world, be sure to click on the link and explore.

We've only had one real frost so far this fall so lots of plants are still looking very green.  The leaves on many of the huge old trees around have completely fallen but there are still some maples, sweet gums, and a few other trees still holding on to vibrantly - colored leaves.  It doesn't really feel like December but I'm not complaining!

Hydrangea 'Pistachio' is still going strong.  The fading blooms turn back to green.  Totally in love with this plant!
Another hydrangea
Sweet little Oxalis. 

The Abutilons continue to add color and delight humming birds!
 
No, that's not blue sky behind this abutilon, the garden shed (aka garage) is painted that color.
 
Mahonia blooms are always such a welcome sight  at this time of the year!
 
 The osteospermum  that was supposed to be a little annual color in a pot that has decided to live forever and take over the whole pot.


Grevellia victoriae in full swing.
There are still a few daisies blooming here and there, the winter jasmine is starting to bloom, the garrya elliptica and contorted filbert catkins are beginning to lenghen and there is even a single calla lilly bloom.  The calla looks quite like swiss cheese thanks to our friendly neighborhood slugs but it's still going!

May you all have something bright in your garden or your heart to give you hope at this darkest time of the year that spring will come.  Hope that  in some way good can come from horrible loss.  Hope that even in the face of senseless acts of terror, there may one day be peace on earth, good will to all.
 

16 comments:

  1. I love being able to see your blooms and imagine the blooms in the gardens of my Tacoma family and friends.

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    1. Hi Pat,

      Thanks for stopping by. Getting to spy on gardens and blooms from around the world is part of tha magic of Bloom Day! I hope you are keeping warm back there!

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  2. You still have so many beautiful flowers! Thanks for posting pictures of them, I needed this. I hope you post photos of your Garrya when it flowers. That is my absolute favorite PNW native shrub, I just love it! I have two, but they are both just babies. My Pistachio Hydrangea is still flowering too. I'm hoping it's indicative of how it will be once it actually gets in the ground, and not just a left-over effect of its nursery greenhouse cultivation. Do you leave all your Abutilons outside for the winter? I was worried about the cold-hardiness of mine, and brought it in.

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    1. All of mine are outside. The hardiest ones seem to be plain old A. megapotamicum with the orange calyxes and yellow petals. I've had several that have been outside in pots for years and some more tender varieties in the ground. The two severe winters we had two and three years ago killed them. I was kind of sad as I had one that was huge (well over 8 feet tall) and growing up over an arbor. These all had proven hardy for at least 6 previous years. Oh well, they've been replaced.

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  3. Thank you for reminding me I need to plant another Abutilon in the garden, I love the multi colored ones. There is a 'Tiger Eye' sitting in the drive way of a house down the street. It's root ball is tucked in a plastic bag. I SOOOO want to rescue it. It's only 37 degrees out there right now. What are they thinking?

    I appreciate your end to this post. I wanted to say something on my blog today but just couldn't find the words.

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    1. Poor baby bagged Tiger Eye! You would be doing the world a favor by liberating it from its prison!

      It's difficult to know whether to say anything or not or what to say. Incredibly sad for everyone involved!

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  4. You have some lovely blooms this month, but most of all love the blue of your garden shed.

    Good thought at this dark time of year (in more ways than one), that spring will come again.

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    1. I tried to copy the blue that Little and Lewis use as it looks wonderful with plants.

      Your wordless bloom day was amazing Hoov!

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  5. It looks like summer!!!! Good on ya! That pistachio is amazing to be that nice december. Dang! But I'm in love with your abutilons!

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    1. Abutilons are pretty special. Once they start blooming, they keep going until they get frozen. In mild years, they're evergreen and begin blooming much earlier in the spring.

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  6. You still have so many blooms. Wow. I have a new beautiful bud, called Mickey.

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    1. Oh Satu, I was so excited to see pictures of Mickey on your blog! He is so sweet and cuddly!

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  7. Such interesting shape to the petals on that second Hydrangea. What is its name, pray tell?

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    1. I think her name is Susan. I'll look through my pile of tags to find the real name later but it was one of the new everblooming hydrangeas that are supposed to bloom on new and old wood so will start blooming in the spring and keep on going. Just got it this summer.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.