Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Bloom Day!

I started this blog at the end of December so today marks my very first Bloom Day contribution.  For my friends who don't read garden blogs (i.e. 99.8% of you), Bloom Day is a monthly event hosted by blogger Carol of May Dream Gardens on the 15th of each month.  Participating bloggers from all over the U.S., as well as other countries, post pictures of what's in bloom in their gardens.

So, without further ado (or any commentary to speak of), here's some of what's currently blooming in my zone 10b garden:

Arbutus 'Marina"

Argyranthemum frutescens 'Bright Carmine'

Camellia japonica 'Taylor's Perfection'



Camellia sasanqua (variety unknown)

Cuphea ignea 'Kristen's Delight'

Cuphea aff. Aequipetela

Grevillea lavandulcea 'Penola'

Hebe speciosa 'Variegata'

Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl'

Nemesia 'Sunsatia Lemon'

Bauhinia x blakeana (aka Orchid Tree)

Osteospermum ecklonis '3D Silver'

Osteospermum 'Zion Red Copper'

Tibouchina urvilleana

Viola (no record of variety)

These are samples of what's in bloom.  I have a more varieties of Argyrantemum, Grevillea, Hebe and Osteospermum than I've shown here, all in bloom or coming into bloom.  My fondness for Violas is founded in childhood and I'm afraid I've got gobs of varieties of those but I've pictured just the little blue form shown above because I'm so taken by its sweetness.  For more views of what's blooming go to May Dreams Gardens for links to other gardening blogs.


9 comments:

  1. Violas are also rooted in my childhood when the Misses Peeples let me pick pansies to my heart's content. I had no idea I was actually deadheading; I thought it was because they loved me so, and they did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Although I didn't have any opportunity to do much gardening until my early thirties, I give pansies credit for sustaining the interest I found in childhood. Thank you for visiting my 1st GBBD post!

      Delete
  2. Wow I've never seen a double oestospermum before - 3d is quite an appropriate name. I wonder if that will ever get commercialized in the UK?

    You've a great display in your garden just now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosie, the Osteospermum 3D showed up here in Southern California nurseries just last year - I'm sure they'll migrate across the pond one day. Thanks for visiting my blog!

      Delete
  3. Beautiful blooms!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for checking out my 1st GBBD post, Lea! I checked out the Hellebore posted on your site - I haven't been able to get one that beautiful to bloom here.

      Delete
  4. I think you might just win the prize for the most outdoor plants blooming in the Northern Hemisphere on this January bloom day! I'm really drawn to the 3D osteospermum. I guess I don't make it out to the blooming tables at the local nurseries enough. I'll keep an eye out for it. Enjoy your bloom day blooms!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suspect I'm just less discriminating about what I post. I've seen the Osteospermum '3D' at both Rogers Garden Nursery in Corona Del Mar and Armstrong in Torrance so I'm sure it'll turn up in San Diego. Thanks for visiting my blog and checking out my 1st Bloom Day post!

      Delete
  5. After looking through this delightful set of photos, I feel much warmer. Some of this stuff won't even grow for me in the summer :).

    Congratulations on your first Bloom Day!

    ReplyDelete