It's the time of year when new blooms appear almost daily. The steady series of atmospheric rivers has put a damper on new projects (pun intended) so subject matter for blog posts is limited. However, as I snap photos from my garden on an ongoing basis, there are plenty of those to share. This post is basically a series of pretty pictures.
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The Anemone coronaria in general have made a poor showing so far this year, despite our ample rain. The corms of the blooms shown here were purchased as 'Lord Lieutenant' but these flowers are missing the fluffy rows of petals characteristic of that variety.
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Aristea inaequalis is difficult to photograph. The plant's flowers are an especially vivid shade of blue than I wasn't able to accurately capture.
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I've been complaining about the failure of my hellebores to bloom for 2 months now. Finally, Helleborus 'Anna's Red' (left) and H. 'Phoebe' (right) have come through. They may not provide much of a show but at least I can stop whining.
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Iris douglasiana 'Santa Lucia' (aka Pacific Coast Iris) is just getting started
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My Dutch Iris are off and running at last. As usual, Iris hollandica 'Sapphire Beauty' is the first of these to bloom, albeit weeks later than it bloomed last year.
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Leucospermum 'Goldie' was also late this year. Its buds have been taunting me for more than 2 months.
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The buds of Leucospermum 'Spider Hybrid' haven't fully opened but this phase is my favorite anyway
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I planted bulbs of new-to-me Narcissus 'Beautiful Eyes' this fall. This variety is reported to be well adapted to warmer climates like mine.
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Scilla peruviana is a reliable bloomer. I'd planned to divide the clump last year but never got around to it. I think that's definitely on the to-do list this year.
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Tulips aren't something you commonly find in gardens in my area. This species tulip, Tulipa clusiana 'Lady Jane', has bloomed 4 years in a row now.
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I inherited Zantedeschia aethiopica (calla lilies) with the garden. Almost all of them grow on the back slope, disappearing with summer's soaring temperatures and reappearing with our rainy season. I had just 2 calla lily blooms last year but it's looking as though this is going to be a much better year for them.
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Although our navel orange tree is covered with new blossoms, it's the fruit that currently commands attention.
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The oranges are relatively few in number this year but huge in size. This tree was also inherited with the garden. The fruit ruined store-bought oranges for us.
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The total rain for the season-to-date in my location is 19.97 inches and more rain is expected throughout the day and into Thursday morning. I checked the running record we've kept since we installed a weather station on our roof in 2015. This year's total already exceeds anything we've previously recorded. Our previous highs were 18.56 inches in 2017 and 19.63 inches in 2019. Our lowest totals were 3.81 inches in 2018 and 4.12 inches in 2021. If our record is any indication, heavy rain in one year definitely doesn't signify a trend but I appreciate what we're getting now nonetheless. Still, it's a cautionary tale when it comes to managing California's water resources.*
*For reference, all years noted here represent "water years," which are counted from October 1st in one calendar year through September 30th in the following calendar year. Thus, the 2023 water year began October 1, 2022 and ends September 30, 2023. As a practical matter, the bulk of our rain usually falls between November and early April.
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material © 2012-2023
by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I probably said it before, but I thing it's worth repeating: I like how you are posting these bloom photos, with close-up and zoomed-out frames next to each other. It gives an idea of placement and proportion.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the blooming Helleborus; I wouldn't think it would thrive in your warmer climate, but both look great. How long did you have them, and is this the first time blooming?
My Calla lily is still in it's 'mush' state. No leafs yet, let alone blooms...
Oranges may demand attention, but once the blooms open, they'll have fierce competition.
Chavli
Thanks, Chavli. 'Phoebe' is the oldest of my hellebores. I think I got 3 from Heronswood, albeit after Burpee purchased the nursery and before they abruptly closed it. They didn't bloom until I moved them to a brighter location some 3 years after their initial planting. 'Anna's Red' is probably 5 years old but it bloomed the first year I planted it, as did some smaller specimens I got from Annie's 3-4 years ago. The blooms this year have been tardy and the newest varieties, planted in or around the fall/winter of 2021 have yet to bloom. Even 'Phoebe' and 'Anna's Red' are very tardy this year.
DeleteHome grown oranges and avocados have ruined us for store-bought, too. Store-bought completely flavorless by comparison.
ReplyDeleteSun breaking out here on sparkling foliage, but consulting the forecast, it will soon cloud up again and rain some more. Happy Spring!
We picked up only another 0.05/inch between last night and early this morning but that put us over the 20 inch mark! We've been dry all day but it looks like we'll get a bit more rain overnight. I had a lunch outing with local friends so I can't say I didn't appreciate a bit of sun ;)
DeleteReally like the foliage on H. 'Anna's Red.' Though they flower for a long time, it's nothing compared to how long and well the foliage lasts. So that is always a big thing for me in choosing flowers. The only reason store-bought fruit isn't ruined for us is the fact that we so rarely have a chance to eat anything else when it comes to citrus. Loved your blue and yellow vase. Such perfect spring colors.
ReplyDeleteI admit that the foliage was a major factor in my purchase of 'Anna's Red', Linda. I grabbed a second one a year or 2 later when I saw it, even though its price had soared.
DeleteBlooms, blooms, and fruit! The Irises are particularly lovely. I only have a few things blooming...but it's progress. :)
ReplyDeleteSpring unfolds slowly in your part of the country, Beth. In ours, it's more like a continuous fireworks display.
DeleteI always love reading your posts. Today, I was surprised to see that you have Narcissus "Beautiful Eyes" in your garden because I have some too. I planted Beautiful Eyes and N. "Cragford" for the first time last year. I bought both of them, because, like you, they are good for hotter climates like mine near Ft. Worth, TX. My Cragford bulbs have nearly finished blooming; the Beautiful Eyes has buds but none are open yet. I especially like that both of these varieties have multiple blooms.
ReplyDeleteI'll consider Narcissus 'Cragford' next fall, Jeanette. Thanks for the tip!
DeleteOh my goodness - to have your own, homegrown oranges.... My mouth is watering... Interesting to learn that the Calla lilies survive the kind of drought that you guys have had for so many years now - even if it goes dormant. I had no idea...
ReplyDeleteThe calla lilies were a pleasant surprise after we moved in and they suddenly appeared following the rains. Like everything else, they're late this year, presumably due to the colder temperatures we've had on a sustained basis, but they're definitely looking more promising this year. Last year, we got foliage but only 2 flowers. I still find it remarkable that they return annually, especially as the back slope receives only minimal irrigation.
DeleteOoo, fresh oranges. I remembering visiting my grandparents in Florida and picking oranges. I agree, does not compare to store bought. I grow Hellebores here too but in pots. They are currently blooming in my garage so I go and converse with them everyday. It's the fact that you can vs the quality I guess. Have you grown webbing between your toes yet with all this rain?
ReplyDeleteI was entranced by the image of you talking to your hellebores in the garage, Elaine! My area is clearly not well-equipped to support hellebores but, still, I persist. No webbed feet yet, but over 20 inches of rain here is unbelievable and now there's another chance of rain next Tuesday-Wednesday!
DeleteOoooh, tulip 'Lady Jane' is lovely! Have you cleared up a bit? We're mostly sunny here until Tuesday -fingers crossed.
ReplyDelete'Lady Jane' is very happy this year. I'm still waiting for her cousin 'Cynthia' to show up! We were sunny all day yesterday, although we picked up another 0.05/inch overnight. The sky is cloudy and gray this morning but no rain is expected (even if some of the clouds suggest otherwise). We're also expecting it to be reasonably clear until next Tuesday.
DeleteYou got hellebore blooms!
ReplyDeleteYes, they're not exactly bountiful but at least they didn't blow me off all together (unlike the Mahonia 'Charity' appears to have done for the second year in a row).
DeleteLovely to see your spring blooms, Kris. I’m especially impressed by the Leucospermum and found myself wondering why I didn’t add any to my garden. ( Running out of room now). Your Scilla peruviana is a much stronger colour than mine and rather dramatic. Like you, I have Tulipa clusiana Lady Jane which has been a solid performer and almost the only species tulip I had that survived the ‘Big Wet’ of the past three years.
ReplyDeleteLeucospermum is a rewarding genus to grow if space opens up in your garden, Jane. I've 4 now and I'm looking for space for another. If past experience is a guide, this year's rain is a one-off but, given climate change, who knows what to expect any more?
DeleteI swear, you have more flowering plants than anybody I know!
ReplyDeleteI just ordered 30 species tulips. Fingers crossed...
I'm seriously thinking of adding more species tulips this fall myself, Gerhard. Fingers crossed we both have success with our additions. 'Lady Jane' has been a winner for me from the first year.
DeleteHow satisfying to have a best ever rain year.
ReplyDeleteIt is! The word is that we're moving into an El Nino status this fall, which in Southern California generally (but not always) means higher than average rainfall. It means the opposite for the Pacific Northwest and Australia and South Africa too I understand.
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