Several years ago, I planted a Symphoricarpos orbiculatus which never did anything but spread out by underground runners to try to take over the world. Never a berry. Weary of the rampant spreading and non performance of the plant, I've been pulling and digging it up. Wouldn't you know, the tiny bit that got left behind has produced these day glow berries. Maybe I'll let it stay.
We've had a fairly mild winter and I've seen more spiders about than usual for this time of year. One even left a gift on the porch!
Can you see the letter A mid photo, right of the bird bath? The picture doesn't show how bright and perfectly shaped it is. The plume poppy (Bocconia macleaya cordata) stems that havn't been cut back yet formed this letter by themselves. Every morning and evening the A glows at me as I sit on the back porch. Could it be a reminder that Alan (It's Not Work, It's Gardening) needs to get some of these in the mail when I dig them? A reminder to think of my niece Alison or my pal Alison (Bonney Lassie?) At least it's not a scarlet letter.
The purple berries of Pernettya mucronata and one of Judi Hook's "Seed Pods."
Hellebore echoing the color of a pot. Someone really should brush away the dead hosta remains from the side of the pot.
Sometimes it's the common things...I finally have a female Skimmia japonica to go with the males already in the garden.
The males make lovely fragrant winter blooms but no berries. This guy is budded up and almost ready to pop open.
This picture doesn't really capture the color of either of these primroses. the one on the left is a sumptuous royal purple and the one on the right is apricot. I love the colors separately and thought that the red in the centers of both would make them work together. They kind of do but the reds are enough different that they also clash a bit so I'll segregate the colors, easy enough as they're in pots.
That's a nice selection of randomness you have there Peter! Just shows how much interest you have in your garden even in the depths of winter.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, my garden looks wonderful right now if one only sees little snippets of it :)
DeleteYou finally noticed the "A", so I can stop paying the neighbor kid to sneak into your yard each night to make sure it's noticeable as possible. (a bit of Charlotte's Web: "Some Plant!")
ReplyDeleteNice that you remembered that I'm eager to give that plant a try. Looking back over the Fling photos for my "favorite 2014 photos" post I saw the image and again thought "must grow this!" :)
That is one clever neighbor kid. That A has been haunting me for months now. Looking forward to unloading this pest, I mean sharing some of this lovely plant with you.
DeleteI find the female Skimmia just adorable; what a great color for this time of year. The picture of the spent Artichoke made me a bit envious of your success. I've tried to grow cardoon several times, without any luck. As for the Symphoricarpos orbiculatus: it's trying to tempt you with it's gorgeous berries. Don't give in to temptation. Isn't Callicupra just as lovely and much better behaved?
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for anything with berries and Skimmia has such nice fragrant blooms too. Callicarpa is just as easy, doesn't spread and is beautiful but those Symphoricarpos orbiculatus berries are sooo bright.
DeleteWhat a great bunch of random shots! I'm glad to hear that the Primroses are still in their pots, which means they're probably recently acquired. I wondered why they had no slug damage, like all of mine that are in the ground.
ReplyDeleteSlugs are very hard on primroses aren't they. Mine in the ground haven't started blooming yet but some that are in pots from last spring have. These are new ones though.
DeleteI do love a random post. Your garden is looking quite lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you but I assure you it's just a matter of where I pointed the camera. There are areas out there that could use some attention from the gardener.
DeleteI love to use Skimmia, both male and female, in winter bouquets.
ReplyDeleteFun photos, Peter.
Skimmia looks very good in winter bouquets! Glad you liked the photos.
DeleteI can see there is a lot of winter interest in your garden! It even looks green :) mine is brown, hehehe. Beautiful details!
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky to live in this climate that allows us to have green gardens even in the winter.
DeleteA lovely assortment of photos, you certainly have plenty to look at in your garden. Your glass seed pod is gorgeous the way it catches the light.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pauline! I have grown fond of Judi Hooks creations and have a few in my garden.
DeleteI've heard it said that plants "know" when a gardener has serious intent to pull them out - I'm glad your Symphoricarpos got wise before it was too late. I think I need to make the rounds in my own garden and start threatening some plants...
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the threat of death seems to make plants perform very nicely. As you're threatening it's sometimes helpful to give a little tug on a stem or limb so they know you mean business.
DeleteJudi Hook's piece is especially dramatic right now, with little competition and surrounded by grasses. The threat of imminent death is sometimes the only way to get a recalcitrant plant's attention. Magnolias are famously that way and it looks like you've found another one.
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous to have color in the garden. I'd have to feed my dogs a box of confetti to have anything colorful to look at and that would make for a crappy view, anyway. Keep up with the tough love. Some plants require it. You show that shrub who's boss!
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