While the volume of flowers in my November garden feels less than it should be at this time of year, when I compared the plants in a starring role this month to those I showcased in November 2021 and 2020, the list isn't much different.
Let's start with the plants putting on the best show at the moment.
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The 4 Arbutus 'Marina' (strawberry trees) in my garden are laden with flowers. The hummingbirds are currently at war over access to them.
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The Barleria obtusa (bush violets) got an earlier start this year with the first flowers appearing in October but they're still colorful, if showing the first signs of wear
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Bauhinia x blakeana (the Hong Kong orchid tree) begins producing flowers as soon as temperatures drop in the fall. Most of the flowers are well above my head but occasionally one hangs low enough to allow me a closeup photo.
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As the Camellia sasanqua shrubs were impacted by our recent water pipe replacement project, I was worried that their normal flowering schedule would be impacted but the flowers have appeared as usual, if in somewhat reduced numbers. There are 2 varieties, similar in color, but I'm not able to identify either as they were here before I was.
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Correa, commonly known as Australian fuchsias, aren't easy to photograph as the flowers are often hidden by leaves but they're also reliable fall bloomers. From left to right are varieties 'Dusky Bells', 'Ivory Bells', and 'Wyn's Wonder'.
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Euryops chrysanthemoides 'Sonnenschein' blooms on an erratic schedule seemingly correlated with our unpredictable rainfall
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In a departure from the norms of my garden, I've buds but no flowers from Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream' to share this month; however, Grevillea alpina x rosmarinifolia and G. 'Poorinda Leane' (top row) are getting started and of course G. 'Superb' (bottom row) is putting on its regular show
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The Leucadendrons are doing their best to fill in for flowers. Clockwise from the left are Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset' with L. 'Blush', a closer look at L. salignum 'Blush', and L. s. 'Summer Red'
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Most of the Osteospermums are taking their time recovering from the hot, dry summer but O. '4D Violet Ice' is ahead of the pack
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Pelargonium peltatum (ivy geraniums) also appreciate cooler temperatures
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Despite my efforts to control its height and shape, Senna bicapsularis is once again reaching gangly limbs into the sky. This is a host plant for the cloudless sulphur butterfly (Phoebis sennae).
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Tagetes lemmonii (aka copper canyon daisy) is off to a slower start this year
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Some people sneer at the scent of Tulbaghia violacea (society garlic) but it's a vigorous drought-tolerant plant and it produces fresh blooms every time I deadhead it
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As usual, the garden presents a few surprises.
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| Dahlia 'Lavender Ruffles' is still blooming while all its brethren have been tucked away in the garage to wait out their dormant period |
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Planted from a small pot received by mail order 2 years ago, Medinilla myriantha (aka Malaysian orchid) has produced its first bloom stalk
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My roses have done terribly this year but, following the recent rains, this noID lavender-pink variety produced a single small bloom
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The flowers in the background are sparser than they were in 2020 and 2021 but they're still worth recognizing. Here they are in collages organized by color.
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Clockwise from the upper left: noID Duranta erecta, Felicia aethiopica, Hebe 'Grace Kelly', Lavandula multifida, noID Phalaenopsis, and Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea'
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Clockwise from the upper left: Cuphea 'Starfire Pink', Persicaria capitata, noID Cyclamen, and Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy'
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Clockwise again: Achillea ptarmica, noID Angelonia, Argyranthemum frutescens 'White Butterfly', and Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light'
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Clockwise: Achillea 'Moonshine', Berlandiera lyrata (chocolate daisy), Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun', G. 'Spintop Copper Sun', Gazania 'Gold Flame', Lantana 'Irene', and Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum'
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For more Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day posts, visit our host, Carol of May Dreams Gardens.
All
material © 2012-2022
by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Stunning as usual! Do you ever notice the hummingbirds using Correa? I wish I had room for an Arbutus, but I would like to find more small-scale plants to support them through winter. Thanks so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteTheoretically, hummingbirds should love the Correas but I actually haven't seen them actively feeding from those flowers. I've wondered if the way the flowers tend to be buried in among their leaves may make them less attractive "feeders" than plants like true fuchsias and Arbutus, which dangle their flowers from the edge of their stems. If your climate is like mine, you might want to try the small shrub Cupheas, which the hummingbirds definitely like. They also love the large-flowered Grevilleas like 'Superb' and 'Peaches & Cream'. The latter shrubs get relatively large but they're still a fraction of the size of Arbutus.
DeleteMany thanks to you and ks re. Correas. I've noticed the same on my Eremophilas which should be a hot commodity. Wonder if it's the hidden aspect you mention or the fact that these are relatively new ornamentals so no epigenetic memory of tasty nectar here?
DeleteYou could ask the same question about Grevilleas, which are native to Australia, but the hummingbirds LOVE those plants.
DeleteYour Arbutus is so handsome, the shape is perfect! I also absolutely love the Bauhinia and of course the countless other flowers in your garden.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to find that both the Arbutus 'Marina' (4 trees) and the Bauhinia came with the garden, LL. I grew an Arbutus unedo like yours at our old place but unfortunately it succumbed to the pathogen that also causes sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum). I noticed that something was off and then a week later it was dead :(
Delete"Hummingbirds at war over the arbutus": that's the kind of war everyone would love to have. Many lovely blooms coming on. I do love your Bauhinia.
ReplyDeleteBetween the Arbutus, the Grevilleas and the Cuphea, the local hummingbirds seem to be very happy, Elaine - even if they're compelled to fight over everything, fierce little creatures that they are.
DeleteYour Arbutus looks great. Happy hummers!
ReplyDeleteThe trick with the Arbutus seems to be pruning them every year to maintain good air flow within their canopies. Without that, they're inclined to develop sooty mold on their leaves here.
DeleteLovely things blooming in your garden, Kris. I'm amazed you can grow Medinilla sp. in your climate - I thought it needed lots of humidity? I ran out of time to do a bloomday post this month. I think the key is to start preparing a few days beforehand - is that what you do?
ReplyDeleteI've seen Medinilla magnifica for sale locally on occasion and a small botanic garden some 50 miles south has the plants in both their tropical conservatory and in pots in a shaded area so I decided to give this one a try when I saw it for sale online. It's in a protected area and, although the foliage has looked battered at times by our dry winds, it's finally produced its first bloom with only a moderate amount of coddling ;)
DeleteRe Bloom Day, I usually start taking pictures over a period of a week or more so I don't have to rush about like a madwoman. That allows me to take advantage of the light when it's good rather than snap plants looking their worst. I gave up on photographing blooms the the day of the post long ago.
Wish I had a spot for a Westringia. Great plants and they do really well here. I've never seen Hummers on my Correas either. I guess the Fuchsias and Salvias are more compelling !
ReplyDeleteWestringia 'Morning Light' is a very nice plant and doesn't get overly large (at least in my garden) but it can get scorched when summer's heat is intense.
DeleteEverything is so lovely, and it's always great to see your amazing view from your garden over the valley below. I'm glad your Camellias are OK; I'd love to be able to grow some, but I'm just a little too cold for even the hardiest varieties. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCold is rarely a problem for Camellias here but heat and drought has become a big issue. I inherited all the Camellia sasanqua with the garden and I'm lucky they were well-established before drought became a more serious problem. I planted one other Camellia shortly after we moved in, C. williamsii 'Taylor's Perfection'. It's struggled and I won't risk planting another.
DeleteI was just telling my partner yesterday that I wish our garden was large enough to accommodate a strawberry tree (it's not). They are so amazing, with both fruit and blooms present at the same time, and when, like yours, perfectly pruned showing good "legs".
ReplyDeleteDitto for Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea': I've seen you use it in IAVOM post many times. something about the coloring of this shrub that I find irresistible.
Drought tolerant is the name of the game these days, and society garlic is lovely; sniffing not required :-D
Chavli
Ha! I love your statement on the society garlic, Chavli. Vitex trifolia has a relatively reserved impact in my garden but it's a fantastic plant. There's one fronting the main road I take when I go into "town" and it's impressive when allowed to get bigger than I've permitted mine to do.
DeleteThe sheer number and variety of flowering plants in your garden is mind-boggling. This post reads like a catalog for a mail-order nursery!!!
ReplyDeleteCould me among the people who dislike the smell of society garlic. It's such a useful plant, why does it have to smell so bad?
Society garlic seems to bother some people more than others. My husband is among those who actively dislike it - he complained when I divided my plants and added them to a second area. At the last company I worked for prior to retirement, people submitted a letter of complaint to the area responsible for corporate landscaping. To be fair, they'd planted it outside the company cafeteria where some people had lunch - they could have done a better job choosing its placement ;)
DeleteYour garden never disappoints for Bloomday magic Kris! As I was scrolling down I was shocked to see pink magnolia blooms—in November? Nope, turns out they're noID Cyclamen.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a pink-flowered Magnolia tree, Loree! There's one up the street that I've admired - briefly, and only in spring. The foliage is hideous at other times of year so that variety will not be getting a spot in my garden. At least Magnolia grandiflora looks good year-round here.
DeleteWhat a fantastic way to spend a frosty morning up here in Oregon. Thanks for the floral refresh button.
ReplyDeleteWe don't even know what frost looks like anymore, Jerry ;) I'd gladly accept some if it meant we got more in the way of precipitation, though.
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