Christmas tree is ready (Concolor Fir)
Well another Bloom Day and another year has come to pass. Today’s flowers include some very unusual participants for a December flower show. First and foremost is a Gentiana acaulis which would normally be waiting for spring to share its vivid blue colors. Instead a single flower has challenged the season.
Gentiana acaulis
As I went around the yard I saw several other features that illustrate just how warm it’s been this Fall. The Mahonia which is lucky to even be surviving here in Maryland has decided to put up some yellow flowers.
Mahonia ‘Sweet Caress’
I even see color on the first of the spring cyclamen. And the Adonis and Snowdrops are budding up.
Snowdrops on their way
The heather which flowered most of last winter has it’s first blooms showing.
Kramer’s Rote Heather
We have two spring flowering Camellia japonicas that are putting out lovely flowers and of course the fall flowering Camellia sasanquas are putting out many flowers.
Camellia japonica red
Camellia japonica double flowered pink
Fall Camellia in bloom
Camellia sasanqua Red
Camellia sasanqua ‘October Magic’
And in the greenhouse the first of the Narcissus ‘Silver Palace’ are filling the pot.
Narcissus cantabricus ‘Silver Palace’
Of course the flowers are one thing, but one of the items that really sparks the Christmas show is the hollies. Between the very large American Holly and the supporting cast of English Holly and Blue Holly we have more berries than you can possibly imagine.
Holly Berries