Adonis ‘Fukujukai’
Adonis is one of my favorite flowers. It comes so vigorously at a time of the year when we have almost forgotten the joy of spectacular flowers. I have seen it flower even before this year’s mid-February showing but it’s very appropriate to have it kick off a Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day. I have every expectation that over the next couple of weeks there will be a number of Adonis appearing at our early Spring party. It’s been a long, long January into February so let’s see what else is here today.
Daffodils have a strong connections with Spring and for us this is the first one
Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’
And in the front yard I found one lonely crocus.
First crocus
Last week I found a rare Eranthis blooming in the cold frame
Eranthis pinnatifida
I noticed today that there is now a baby showing in that same pot. Even more importantly I think I see buds for the same Eranthis showing in one of the outside beds.
At the same time the more common Winter Aconites are popping up all over the yard.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Last year I took some of these out to the forest and now they are showing in the woods as well.
Winter Aconite in the woods
At the same time I’ve been growing some of the more unusual cultivars.
Eranthis hyemalis ‘Schwefelglanz’
Eranthis hyemalis ‘Orange Glow’
It is surprising to me that the Cyclamens are also players in the early flowers game.
Cyclamen coum
And even before the flowers show up the Peonies are starting to show color.
Paeonia caucasica in bud
And the heather that I featured last month is still flowering. Cold weather does little to damp it’s winter enthusiasm. Also the Camellias that were so prolific in December are starting up again. They are simply wonderful.
Camellia japonica red
Of course when we turn to the trees, we need to take note of the Witch Hazels.
Chinese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis)
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
We also have several contributions from the greenhouse
Cyrtanthus flanaganii
Babiana framesii
Lachenalia aloides
That’s about here for mid-Maryland in this year’s February. I think there is a lot coming in the next few weeks.
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day January 2022
Cyrtanthus mackenii
Not a lot to share for this mid-January Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day Post. We have several pots of the Cyrtanthus in bloom now. The nice thing about Cyrtanthus is that the blooms last for a long time. It is a large genus in the Amaryllis family with many unique flower forms.
Cyrtanthus are said to be hardy down to 25 degrees which would not do well with the 12 degree temperatures that we had last night. These are some of the coldest temperatures that we’ve have the past few years.
In the greenhouse we still have the last of the white Narcissus in flower.
Narcissus cantabricus ‘Silver Palace’
However, outside there is not much to see, even if you spent time the very cold air looking. The snowdrops are fully in flower but when it is this cold they prefer to lie down.
Snowdrops lying down on the job
One remarkable plant in the winter is the heather that we added several years ago. The flowers seem to be governed by the calendar and not by the temperatures.
Kramer’s Rote Heather
One special event over the last week was the planting of the Concolor Fir that was our Christmas tree for this year.
Planting our Christmas Tree
We have been planting our Christmas trees for 46 years. I would say that about 30 percent have survived. It’s a really nice tradition. If you looked out of the back door a week ago, you can see two of the trees.
Backyard Christmas Trees
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day November 2021
Acer japonica ‘Reznicek’
It is definitely late Fall in Maryland for this GBBD and for awhile I thought there not be much in the way of color hereabouts. But the last few weeks have produced a shower of colorful leaves on many of the trees. Of course for us, it’s mainly about the Maples. The ‘Reznicek’ cultivar is one that I brought back from Michigan a few years ago when the annual meeting for the North American Rock Garden Society was held there. This is the first year I’ve ever noticed the beautiful two-toned effect on the leaves. Even without the coloring it has always been a special diminutive tree with finely laced leaves.
Just the ordinary Japanese Maples have also been having a colorful display lately.
Acer japonica fully red
Acer Japonica
Earlier in the month the Amur Maple was putting on a show of its own.
Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
And right next to this Maple is the Beautyberry which had its own statement to make.
Beautyberry (Callicarpa sp.)
Berries are everywhere in the yard this year but it’s hard not to notice that the Blue Holly is absolutely loaded with berries.
Berries on the Blue Holly
I can only guess that this particular holly is having a good time with the American Holly or the English Holly since our attempts to plant a male Blue Holly have all failed.
But wait! This posting is supposed to be about flowers.
Most of the annuals have been frozen off at this point but there are still a few surprises in the yard. The peas continue to chug along through the first frosts and may even yield a few more edible pieces.
Pea blossom
And one of our reliable David Austin roses is ignoring the cold.
Rose ‘Tess of the ubervilles’ in bud
But mostly it’s Camellias. It’s really their show for the next several months. Anytime the temperature gets into the forties, the spring camellias will send forth a volunteer.
Camelia japonica way too early
And then most of the time there are always some of the Fall Camellias in bloom, as we see now.
Camellia sasanqua Red
Camellia sasanqua ‘October Magic’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Double Rainbow’
When you see flowering like this it is hard to accept that winter is coming any day now…
Just like this bluebird who is trying to decide whether to make another nest.
Bluebird thinking about a winter home…
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day November 2020
Fall Camellia white hybrid
We are still in an extended Fall season that has been remarkably temperate. The weatherman says we could have frost any day now, but meanwhile we (and the plants) have been enjoying the mild weather. The prettiest flowers for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day are the Fall Camellias. Not only do they have the wonderful evergreen leaves, but the flowers are lovely and pickable for further reflection in the house.
Fall Camellia red
This particular camellia is particularly rewarding because I cut it way back and was ready to remove it after a hard freeze when I noticed a little green shoot coming out. It’s now almost to the size it was originally and is covered with buds.
A bit more surprising is to see a flower on one of the Spring camellias.
Camellia japonica pink
This will get blasted when that frost comes along.
As you go about the yard it’s hard not to notice the wonderful color of the Japanese maples this year.
Japanese Maple in color
Dwarf Japanese Maple in fall color
And the green patterns on the cyclamen are also very striking.
Cyclamen hederifolium
In the front yard the yellow corydalis has continued its unabated flowering.
Corydalis lutea
Back in the vegetable garden the annuals are still flowering, though running out of steam.
Marigold
Most striking by far are the calendulas.
Calendulas
Calendula
And the greenhouse has offered up a South African native Nerine.
Nerine undulata
As a side note, I tried growing Leonotis this year after seeing it in flower just last year for the first time. I was looking forward to that mane of orange yellow flowers that you can see in the catalogs. Unfortunately it looks as though, even with our long season this year, we may not have enough time to see the flowers before frost.
Leonotis leonuris
So my plan is to see if this South African native will grow back from the roots next spring and maybe get an earlier start. Stay tuned.
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day April 2020
Paonia macrophylla (?)
It is a very flower-filled time for the GBBD post. Like everyone, we have flowers blooming everywhere and part of my dilemma is always where to focus my time and attention. The species peony shown above led me down an internet road trying to untangle the details of peonies with glabrous styles, purple anthers, and smooth undersides of leaves. On top of that it was just a lovely little peony that I cannot recall acquiring.
There are many other peonies, either flowering or about to flower. I have to admit that I am partial to the species peonies.
Paonia daurica
Paeonia ostii
Nearby the Iris japonica are taking over their region of the garden.
Iris japonica ‘Eco Easter’
Iris japonica ‘Wuhan Angel’
These are definitely spreaders so you want to choose their location with care.
Similarly I’ve noticed how some of the anemones and primroses are happy to spread each year.
Primula sieboldii ‘Chubby One’
Thinking of spreaders, I have tried to move the Cascadian Wallflower from parts of the garden each year and it always finds a new place to make an appearance. But it’s so lovely it’s hard to not just appreciate it.
Erysimum arenicola (?)
In addition an orange flowered wallflower reappeared from a wildflower mix that went in last year.
Wallflower as perennial
Common but beautiful orange wallflower (Erysimum)
The yard as a whole is blessed by the things which happen in the mid-Atlantic April, like azaleas, viburnums, dogwood, and flowering fruit trees.
Back bed springtime
Coral Bells Azalea under Viburnum carcephalum (Fragrant Snowball)
While out in the orchard, things are in extravagant bloom this year.
Granny Smith Apples in bloom
Flowers galore on Spitzenburg apple
The Spitzenburg is one of the finest apples you will ever taste, but when you look at the trunk of this little guy you have to be grateful that it is producing any apples at all.
Trunk of Spitzenburg
Hidden around the yard are still some smaller gems that i look forward to each year.
Hylomecon japonicum
Anomonella thalictrum single pink
Trillium pusillum ‘Roadrunner’
Arisaema ringens
And when we go back to the troughs, the first Gentiana is showing up.
Gentiana acaulis
The alpine beds themselves are both chock full of interesting things like daphnes, stonecress, iris, poppies and the like.
Alpine bed north side
Alpine bed south side
Particularly noteworthy is a little Lewisia returning to claim its space.
Lewisia longipetala ‘Little Raspberry’
and an Androsace which is always welcome.
Androsace sarmentosa ‘Rock Jasmine’
As well as the always striking Bird’s Foot Violet.
Viola pedata
In the greenhouse itself are still things which worth sharing or bringing into the house. The Ferrarias have been blooming since February.
Ferraria ferrariola
Other South Africans include two Ixias, tritonias, and Ornithogalums.
Ixia dubia (?)
Ixia hybrid on a 30″ stem
Tritonia crocata ‘Princess Beatrix’
Ornithogalum dubium
And, of course, we continue to harvest daffodils from our years of planting.
Arguros and other daffodils
Hoping this post finds the reader healthy and able to enjoy the spring.
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day February 2019
Moraea elegans
I thought I would start this Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day post with a bright and cheerful Moraea from the greenhouse. This is one of the prettiest bulbs in existence. It flowers for only a short time, so I was glad to catch it just as it opened. It’s also been reclassified as Homeria where it becomes a noxious weed according to the USDA. Since it’s hard to keep growing even in cultivation it’s hard to understand how it earned that distinction.
Nearby is a little scilla from Syria
Scilla cilicica
Like many of the small squills, this one has startling dark purple anthers
Outside the greenhouse the world has a few flowers but mostly it’s all in anticipation of things to come after the ice and snow of the last week.
In particular the snowdrops have been doing their part.
Galanthus elwesii
Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Blewbury Tart’
And the Winter Aconite are just beginning to appear.
Winter Aconiter (Eranthis hyemalis)
but most of the rest are playing a waiting game
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ waiting in the wings
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’
Paonia caucasica in bud
Pictures of trees and shrubs show why the flowers are not in a big hurry yet.
American Holly
Dwarf Cryptomeria covered in ice
I think it’s fair to guess that by this time next month we will be covered in flowers.
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day November 2018
Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
Yesterday’s Bloom Day began with a snowstorm that ended up depositing 6 inches by the end of the day. Early on you could still see the corydalis pictured above and one of the camellias in the front yard.
Camellia sasanqua ‘October Magic’ in the snow
Anticipating the snow, I had taken pictures around the yard the day before, including the same camellia.
Camellia sasanqua ‘October Magic’
Yet another fall blooming camellia was in the side yard.
Camellia x ‘Survivor’
Hardiness is generally not a problem for camellias in our area but getting blooms at the right time can sometimes be problematical. The spring blooming camellias are loaded with buds but they will sometimes pop open in a December thaw only to be burned off in the next freeze.
Also still blooming this week before the snowfall was the blue sage in the orchard.
Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)
This sage has been in constant bloom since early summer. Similarly the Viola jooi in the Alpine bed has come back into bloom again.
Viola jooi
There aren’t a lot of other flowers right now because we finally had our first freeze last week and many things got burned off. One last remnant is this knockout rose.
Knockout Rose ‘Pink’
In preparation for the freeze, we covered up the newly planted Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’.
Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’
This is the third try for this lovely Mahonia which is only marginally hardy here. We are hoping that covering it up will help it get through the winter.
We also gathered pine needles from the driveway and made a little nest for the pomegranate planted in the orchard.
White Pine needles on the driveway
Pomegranate tucked in for the winter surrounded by the last few zinnias
This is another of those plants where we are pushing the survival limits.
Otherwise we need to go into the greenhouse for flowers in November.
Oxalis in the greenhouse
Oxalis asinia
Oxalis caprina
Oxalis luteola just opening
In closing I want to share an early November picture of a lovely Amur Maple in the front yard.
Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
In some areas of the country this is seen as invasive but for us it’s been very well behaved and a seasonal favorite.
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day October 2018
Anemone x hybrida ‘Whirlwind’
As has been the case for many other October Garden Blogger Bloom Days the double flowered Anemone Japonica hybrid shown above has been the bell-ringer. It produces many outstanding flowers and they can be cut and brought into the house. It is modestly aggressive like all of it’s kin, but they pull out easily when they go where you don’t want them.
Another fall favorite are the various toad lilies. Probably the most abundant for us is Trycyrtis ‘Sinonome’
Trycyrtis ‘Sinonome’
It goes well with the New England Asters that are nearby
New England Aster
I was pleased to find that two spring plantings of fall camellias have produced flowers this year.
Camellia sasanqua ‘White’
Camellia sasanqua ‘October Magic’
This last one is loaded with flowers, maybe 20-30 buds.
Two Roses from the springtime have some very nice buds to remind us of what they will do for us next year.
Rosa ‘Crocus Rose’ (David Austin)
Rosa ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ (David Austin)
Back in the Alpine Garden one of the Daphnes is flowering once again. And with a marvelous fragrance of course.
Daphne collina x cneorum
And in a small trough that I inherited and can take no credit for there is a lovely little red sedum that has been flowering for the last month.
Sedum (cauticola?)
We have a number of plants in pots that will have to find a nice place for the winter. One of them is the Plectranthus sitting on the back porch. It has been a real winner.
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’
Another non-hardy plant that is flowering strongly for the first time for us in Nerine Sarniensis. It looks like it will produce many offsets in the future.
Nerine sarniensis
In the greenhouse are many little pots of Cyclamen graecum. While they are not hardy, they are quite willing to jump into neighboring pots.
Cyclamen graecum
As a postscript I should add that this has been a really strange season for many trees, including our apples. However the Kieffer Pears have outdone themselves, producing so many pears that a major branch of the tree broke off. I have been having daily sandwiches of brie and pear. Highly recommended.
Kieffer Pear
Well that’s about it for our garden, what about yours?