Pretty Penta
Barely there Bougainvilla
Alyssum
Meager Moss Rose
Oxalis
Shasta DaisyA few little friends were still hanging in there in the dead of what we call winter here in Austin today on January Bloom Day!
Hard to imagine how much of the rest of the country is covered in snow. Yesterday morning was sunny and bright. Today, it’s overcast and gray and we are expecting some rain. But, we need it, so that’s ok.
While I’ve enjoyed my break, I have to say, I’m getting the gardening bug again! I read the article in the Austin American Statesman this weekend about starting veggie seeds inside in pots and I’m plotting to do that in a week or so! And I have a plan for major changes to the vegetable garden — see my sidebar for those developments!
And, you know you’re ready to get your hands dirty again when pruning makes you happy again! Yes — it’s true! I pruned the giant gingers in the back and some of the lantana and esperanza and other perennials for a few hours this weekend and enjoyed it. I think of it as therapy — it’s cathartic for me.
“Sort of” bloom day? I’d say you’ve got quite a bit for January.
And how ‘lucky’ for you to experience winter in Indiana, even for a few days!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Thanks for posting on bloom days. I love your alyssum, it is one of my favorite plants, so fragrant and willing to fill in. Looking forward to the coming months as spring gives us more blooms to choose to photograph.
What’s the pH of your soil? I cannot get shasta daisy to stay with me. (Ours is very very slightly acidic or neutral.)
I’m assuming that we have low acidity, since there is such a limestone bedrock here. But I’m struggling with the daisies, too. I had two side by side in the front bed and one died last year and one didn’t. I couldn’t figure out any cause – pest or otherwise, so go figure! And they like the cooler temperatures — maybe the one wilted in heat and didn’t recover.
I was surprised to see the Alyssum so happy in the middle of winter. And tickled pink at how many plants are blooming in my rock pathway, where several succulents are also still alive. Most of the small blooms came from the rock path.
Melissa – I am posting my old picture of the tree in bloom – it’s small I know, and hard to tell — whadda ya think??
Thanks for your comment on my blog, Diana. I too have been getting the itch to prune so I just cut back all of my cannas and then planted some lettuces and chards today in the veggie garden.
And you were right about my cedar fever! I saw the doctor tonight and he said the counts are so high even people without allergies are being bothered and gave me an antihistamine and steroid to take care of my swollen throat. Thanks for the diagnosis!
Your alyssum looks pretty amid the river rock and leaves. The warm days earlier this week gave me the gardening bug too. I’ve been out digging all week.