In the three years Carol at May Dreams Garden has been hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, this is the first time I've managed to take pictures and get them posted in time. When I first heard of it, I had the impression it only happened once a year; but eventually I caught on that the fun happens every single month. So welcome ... here's what's putting on a show in my Zone 8 garden in Austin. Thanks for stopping by. That's a red shrimp plant to the left. I think the frost damage makes it look like chintz.
Frost damaged, but still covered with blooms and reddish new growth - "Old Blush" rose.
Bulbine frutescens, yellow (above) and orange varieties (below)
Meyer lemon getting a start on this year's Meyer Lemon Ginger Marmalade.
Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)
German Iris "Feedback" with MSS' larkspur seedlings in background.
Chandler variety strawberries - here in Austin, we plant our berry plants in the fall for a full crop the following spring and summer. These guys have been blooming a little off and on all winter, reflecting how crazy our cold/hot cycle is with 80 degrees and freezing weather in the same week.
In the greenhouse, the pelargoniums (scented geraniums) are putting on their dainty blooms. This is an apple scented one.
This abutilon has the common name of "Marilyn's Choice" and mine looks like this all year. If anyone has the botanical name of this variety, please let me know.That's all that's blooming today, but the garden was full of promise as I was snooping around for blooms. Thanks, Carol, for getting me back outside.
Comments
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
gail
I come to you guys' blogs when I need a midwinter flower fix. All we have at The Havens is crocuses and snowdrops. Well, and new gardens that need to get filled up with plants.
And to the rest of my visitors - having visited most of your blogs, I know your gardens will put my pitiful attempts to shame in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your kind words and for checking in!
Doesn't it seem early to have roses and strawberry blossoms and buds on the Meyer's Lemon in March?
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I usually put the citrus in the greenhouse and have tons of blooms by now. This year, I left all outside and used heavy row cover each time we expected a freeze. Meyer lemon, Mexican lime, satsuma orange, and another tiny variegated thing whose name I can never remember seemed to fare okay but are slower to bloom. The strawberries are just confused by all the 80 degree weather in between freezes.
Blooms unfolding since Feb GBBD are a yellow Lady Banks rose, a chartreuse/pink variety of shrimp plant, "Homestead Purple" verbena, and several more iris buds. By March GBBD, I might really have a lot going on. You have to come see the changes I've made since you were last here.
Check back March 15th for more iris pictures. They should really be blooming like crazy then.