OK, so they're not really blooms. In December we get a little creative finding blooms in a zone 5 garden.
Most of the blooms are indoors this month. Still, we did manage to find a few in the garden, like these broccoli raab flowers blooming in one of our raised beds turned hoop house for the winter . . .
. . . and this last bellflower. It may not be upright anymore, but in December, a bloom's still a bloom no matter what shape the rest of the plant is in. These tall bellflowers, brought here from Mom's garden a couple of years ago, win the prize for longest-blooming plant in our garden this year. They started in May, bloomed non-stop through mid-November, and eked out a final few December blooms.
Except for a couple of frigid days, this December has been much milder than last year's. Instead of snow, yesterday we had a couple of inches of rain. It's just past midnight here, and it's 54 degrees outside, with temperatures expected to be more seasonal over the next few days.
George and I will head out one more time this evening to enjoy the relative warmth and humid air before it's gone. It will likely be months before we enjoy such balmy temperatures again, and it's a treat to have them even now. So Happy Bloom Day all, and for more December blooms, please visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens.
George and I will head out one more time this evening to enjoy the relative warmth and humid air before it's gone. It will likely be months before we enjoy such balmy temperatures again, and it's a treat to have them even now. So Happy Bloom Day all, and for more December blooms, please visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens.
Hi, does it mean your garden will start being full of snow too? At least they can rest for a while, as in our case they are forever blooming, although they get ugly too at old age, LOL. That time they will be cut back to be young again. i like it when you said "a bloom is still a bloom no matter what...". yes that's right, and it keeps on insisting to be showy! That is survival of the species at its best.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do love your pine cones. The arrangement with them is beautiful. Amazing that your bellflower bloomed for such a long time! Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea, yes, it's likely the garden will soon be covered with snow. The last three winters, we've had snow cover for most of three months. I do enjoy the winter break!
ReplyDeleteThank you Holley! I'm enjoying them too. I've had similar tall bellflowers before, but they never bloomed as prolifically as these do. I hope they do as well next year!
I love the arrangement with the pine cones and your bellflower is too cute!
ReplyDeleteHappy GBBD :)
Love those arrangements...and yes...at this time of year, we'll take whatever flowers we can get ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you GB! I'm loving the pine cones too! Everything in the containers was free - greens pruned from our yard, dogwood branches from our shrubs, cones from our spruces, and a bunch of cones I got free at our last Master Gardener meeting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Scott! I've never done winter containers before, and had a lot of fun with these.
Your Christmas arrangement is beautiful, Linda. I wish I had some dogwood here so I could cut some twigs, too. Last year I was going to buy some at a local garden center for an outdoor arrangement, but was shocked at the price. Free is definitely better:) Your bellflower is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat brave little bellflower! Despite the mild temperatures of late my garden has no blooms left. I'm counting the days until it's time for forced bulbs!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rose! I'm hoping some of these dogwood twigs will sprout roots. If they do and we run into each other sometime next year, I could share. After a year or two, you could cut your own free branches. :)
ReplyDeleteI was amazed to find that one tenacious bellflower Rose!
ReplyDeleteForced bulbs are so welcome in the dead of winter!
It is funny how at this time of year we are grateful for anything in bloom no matter how tired or wonky they may appear. I wish my bellfowers had flowered as long as yours but they are only a year old so maybe they will do better next year.
ReplyDeleteHaving outdoor blooms here in December is a rare treat Helen.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find your bellflowers putting on a longer show as they mature. In the second year, ours definitely bloomed more, and longer.
Beautiful decorations Linda! I surely hope your holiday is filled with love and celebration. xoxogail
ReplyDeleteThank you Gail! I've no doubt our holiday will be be filled with love and celebration, and I wish the same for you. :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Garden Girl
ReplyDeleteYou won't believe it, but I've still got some roses in flower. However they will probably soon be gone because finally we've got snow. Enjoy the warmer days, it can change quickly.
Have a nice weekend
Alex
Roses surely are hardy Alex! I'm glad you're able to enjoy them so late in the season. We have one little mini-rose with a single bloom that's still red, but it's looking pretty beat up. Still, the color is nice when most everything else is grey and brown!
ReplyDeleteIt's snowing here today, but with warmer temps tomorrow, it will probably melt quickly. Happy weekend!
Love the evergreen arrangement. And pine cones are, in a way, blooms!
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica! They are definitely flower-like, and they last longer than most flowers. Another plus - no watering needed!
ReplyDelete