December in coastal Southern California is generally a lot warmer than elsewhere in the US but this year despite the Northeast getting record enjoying record warm temperatures, we're experiencing a significant chill. Nighttime temperatures have dipped into the upper 30sF (4C) and yesterday's daytime high was 57F (14C). Despite the chilly conditions, there are quite a few plants with flowers this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, although relatively few plants with masses of blooms. There are a few exceptions:
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| Arbutus 'Marina' has blooms most of the year but seems to be particularly floriferous this time of year |
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| Bauhinia x blakeana appears to be at its peak |
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| A hedge of Camellia sasanqua (noID) runs along half one side of the house |
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| All my Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy' are blooming but this one is practically exploding with tiny flowers |
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| Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' is a stalwart performer from late summer through winter here |
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| While the Tagetes lemmonii I planted in full sun perished during the hot spells we got throughout the fall, this shrub planted in partial shade has proved to be strong bloomer |
There are also a few genera that are producing flowers in spots throughout the garden, most notably:
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| The Gazania have returned with new blooms since the heat abated. Gazania 'New Day Yellow' is on the far left. The other photos show Gazania from the 'Flame' series. |
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| The larger-flowered Grevillea are also blooming. From left to right, they are G. 'Ned Kelly', G. 'Peaches & Cream', and G. Superb'. |
I'm also pleased that my Thanksgiving cactus has bloomed at last:
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| I'm wondering if Schlumbergera truncata bloomed late this year due to the persistence of high temperatures here |
And here are a few collages showing the bits and pieces in bloom here and there:
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Pink flowers include, top row: Arctotis 'Pink Sugar', Argyranthemum frutescens 'Angelic Pink' and Correa pulchellum 'Pink Eyre'
Middle row: Eustoma grandiflora 'Echo Pink', Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl' and Leucadendron 'Blush'
Bottom row: Osteospermum, Pelargonium peltatum and Rosa 'California Dreamin' |
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Blue & purple blooms include, top row: Barleria obtusa, Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers' and Erigeron glaucus 'Wayne Roderick'
Middle row: Hypoestes aristata (on its last legs), Lavandula multifida and L. angustifolia 'SuperBlue'
Bottom row: Salvia chamaedryoides, S. c. 'Marine Blue' and Solanum xanti |
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| White flowers incude, clockwise from the left: Leucanthemum x superbum, Argyranthemum frutescens 'Madeira White', Correa 'Ivory Bells', Lantana 'Lucky White' and Pelargonium 'Vectis Glitter' |
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| Yellow flowers include, clockwise from upper left: Achillea 'Moonshine', Eustoma grandiflora 'Borealis Yellow', Gaillardia aristata 'Gallo Peach' and Leucadendron 'Pisa' |
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| Orange flowers include, clockwise from upper left: Aloe 'Johnson's Hybrid', Nandina domestica berries, Papaver nudicaule, and Rosa 'Joseph's Coat' |
That's my Bloom Day round-up. Thanks as always to Carol at
May Dreams Gardens, the esteemed host of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.
Visit her site to find what's happening in her garden and other gardens around the world.
All material
© 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
What a tally for December! The pennisetum and the silver/cineraria have been looking that great for how many months now? I need to try something similar in a container next year. Love the tagetes, so glad some survived in partial shade.
ReplyDeleteThat Pennisetum was already blooming in July so I've definitely gotten good value out of it this year. Eventually, I'll have to cut it back but I may wait until late January for that. The silver plants at the base of the grass actually include one Senecio cineraria (which I've been told is now Jacobaea maritima) and 3 Centaurea 'Silver Feather'. The foliage looks amazingly similar but the flowers are different (not that 'Silver Feather' has bloomed for me yet).
DeleteI don't believe it! Your temperatures are lower than ours, at night definitely. But your garden still looks far more reminiscent of summer to my eyes, I love the Bauhinia.
ReplyDeleteOur temperature fluctuations have been ridiculous, Jessica, but people are complaining far more about the current chill (very cold for us!) versus the almost 90F/32C temperatures we had just a few weeks ago.
DeleteSo glad to see your Gazanias are coming back! I've avoided putting them out in the garden for fear of giving rabbits the wrong idea (garden as smorgasbord!), but I may give it a try as they are such wonderful bloomers. You have a beautiful December garden, Kris! I expect it's enjoying a little bit of chill as long as temps don't drop too low? We have a freeze warning for tonight; I'm hoping no significant damage will be done, though I have tried to plant for such a drop - to be expected occasionally here!
ReplyDeleteThe blooms on the Gazania would probably be more prolific if not for the critters, Amy, although here it's squirrels, not rabbits, that are the culprits. They absolutely love the double-petaled Gazania from the 'Sunbather' series - those blooms last no more than a day but they're more hit and miss with the single-petaled varieties. As for the temperatures, we're cold! We're not used to daytime temperatures in the 50s!
DeleteI'm sorry I missed seeing this in person, but it was a packed week and the traffic really makes getting around rather tedious, to say the least. However, your garden would have been worth the drive, I think!
ReplyDeleteI guess I left just in time, I was thrilled with the temps. earlier in the week. :-)
I'm glad you were able to visit SoCal when the temperatures were pleasant, Eliza - not too hot, nor too cold (although by your standards, our current temperatures probably aren't terrible). Thankfully, the forecast is for warmer weather near the end of the week.
DeleteThis morning I realized it was colder at my brother's house in Phoenix than here in Portland. Crazy times! Thanks for lining up my three Grevillea ( G. 'Ned Kelly', G. 'Peaches & Cream', and G. Superb') for a bloom comparison!
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased that my 'Peaches & Cream' was actually in bloom on Bloom Day this month, Loree! It has lots of buds too.
DeleteI am always amazed at the variety of flowers you have at any one time Kris; Lots of treasures to enjoy. Temperatures can be so decieving as to how hot or cold it actually feels; I know you are above the habour but what is the humidity like?
ReplyDeleteRight now (late afternoon), our humidity is about 50% according to my weather meter; however, it varies a lot. When the Santa Ana winds blow it drops way down, often registering 1%. Although we're within sight of ocean, we're not as affected by marine humidity as the west side of the peninsula. In summer our temperatures can run a good 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) higher and humidity is lower.
DeleteAchillea 'Moonshine' is a new one to me, very nice! And what is in front of the Pennisetum? I swear I saw something like it last weekend, but it might be different... I like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe are 2 different silver plants in front of that Pennisetum, Amy. One is Jacobaea maritima (formerly known as Senecio cineraria) and the other is Centaurea 'Silver Feather'. Their foliage is remarkably similiar but the first produces gold flowers and the latter lavender blooms (although I've yet to see the Centaurea bloom).
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