This month things don't look all that different from the last month. We've had quite a bit of cold and wet weather off and on through out December. It's been so busy inside here I've barely been outside.
It may look dead and bare in the picture, but under the Japanese Maple there are signs of new life popping up all over the place. The Hellebore has new growth sprouting and this new one may even have a few blooms later this winter.
The Violas are doing their best to bloom, as soon as they recover from one icy blast of weather they try with all their might to get the blooms to open. I hope they get a chance soon!
Bulbs are starting to sprout too. So far I see no evidence of squirrels digging any of them up.
The Heucheras have held up to the all the weather thrown at them. Here is 'Crimson Curls' sending up lots of new growth.
Daphne odora has many buds getting ready to open. Last year they took over three months to finally finish opening and then it wasn't a very good show. Hopefully this year they have a better display. I did read on a blog recently though about a myth not to show any pictures of them in bloom or make a fuss about them, because they just might up and die then. I'm not going to take any chances :)
The Camellia japonica 'Kumasaka' is covered in buds, but probably won't bloom for a few months. I still like checking to see that they are growing.I hope by the end of January we'll have a few flowers to show, but who knows it could also be covered in snow then.
I want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year to you, your family and your gardens!
I want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year to you, your family and your gardens!
Hi Catherine~~ It takes a little more than a casual glance this time of year, doesn't it? I love that you've got bulbs coming up. I should get out and check mine. I'm glad the squirrels have left yours alone. Bless the little heart of your Heart's Ease or Johnny Jump Up or Viola or....? Let's see. How many names does this little plant have? LOL I've got seedlings all around. Such a jewel of a plant. I've found that slugs also love to eat the little blossoms, evil creatures. Yes, Daphne is definitely a moody one, isn't she? Better not get too close or her leaves will start dropping. :) How's your Sarcococa? I bet it's getting ready. We'll have to compare notes. Happy New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteSo different--and so wonderfully so--from my frozen, still snow-dusted garden. Things are in suspended animation around here, but your garden looks like it's just waiting to burst into action. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your bulbs flowering this spring. I hope the squirrels stay away! Have a very Happy New Year!
What a lovely (& green!) post! It's wonderful to see new growth, I can hardly wait for bulbs to emerge. 4-5 months to go. :)
ReplyDeleteYour blue house with that great white trim always cheers me up! It's dreary and raininng in Atlanta today, so it is always a treat to see that shot pop up on my screen! Have a grand New Year!
ReplyDeleteCatherine I'm so happy to see your bulbs sprouting out of the ground too. I had noticed mine before the horrible freezes and was worried that it might kill them. I guess if you aren't worried then I don't need to be either. Isn't it fun seeing new growth this time of year? I never thought to look before blogging so didn't think anything came up until spring or just before.
ReplyDeleteYou and the family have a great new year!
Oh and by the way that poppy you mentioned on my post - I did save seeds for you, because I knew you loved it, which I will be bringing when we get together.
I can not imagine how different our season are. My tulips are going to be hiding out until March. They have to be pretty chilly right now with a high of 18 degrees today and a below 5 tonight. I never thought of it before, but my blue gate and your house are the same color. It is a good blue. Happy New Year. I will be looking forward to seeing those tulips.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have end of month thumbnail views in Sept, Oct, and Nov. at the end of your post. I like seeing how a garden looks in all seasons. I am envious you have bulb foliage coming up, I still have 4+ months to go for that!
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska
Your garden is full of life and promise. I noticed more tips of bulbs showing in my garden this week. It's always exciting. But I don't want things to bud out too fast, because I know a big freeze is going to come sometime before spring is really here.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a wonderful New year!
I do love the shade of blue on your house. It is such a wonderful foil for your garden and quite cheery. This time of year can be very deceptive can't it? I remember painfully clear what was going on last year at this time. Lots of snow. This year it practically balmy in comparison. I noticed a lot of bulb tips in my garden also. I had to resist the urge to push them back down. LOL Like Debsgarden said, I don't trust this weather either...though it is tempting. ;-}
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
Catherine, it's exciting to see those bulbs popping up! You have had quite a successful year and it has truly been a pleasure to follow along in your garden with your precious two helpers! I wish you many blessings in the new year. Thanks for being a treasured blog friend.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, a Happy Blue Moon New Year to you and your family. Blessings and I look forward to seeing you in 2010. Diana
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year... I love the sight of bulbs shooting up. That's a good sign for 2010. ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you , may it be one of many flowers in your garden.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has been crazy this year. Your photos, as always, are superb! So happy to have found you this year. And Happy New Year to ya!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Happy New Year Catherine to you and yours and lets hope our fish do better in 2010! Best wishes Betty xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to see new life peeping our of the soil. Your garden is already looking good. Wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2010.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that you have bulbs on their way up. That won't happen for us for months yet.
ReplyDeleteI still love that hummingbird pic on your header!
Good luck with all your getting ready to bloom plants.
Looks like we are all amazed that you have bulbs coming up already. Your gardens are looking much better than mine. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very happy and healthy 2010!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Karen
Catherine, this is why I need to move to warmer zones...to still enjoy plants and color during the winter months!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous ;)
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to bulbs sprouting up in December. I am looking forward to seeing your Camellia in bloom - I so wish we could grow them here in Vermont! I wish you all the best for the New Year, and I look forward to your posts in 2010!! :)
Your home is very cheery Chatherine. I have bulbs sprouting as well. With frigid air coming our way this week I'll be curious to see what survives!! Happy New Year..
ReplyDeleteWow Catherine, you've got a lot going on out there. I might have something going on too, but it's hard to tell under all of that snow out there. It looks like spring is already on it's way there. I hope you have a happy new year.
ReplyDeleteOh to live where you do and have things sprouting already! Wow.
ReplyDeleteWe are so far north, that our bulbs won't begin sprounting until the end of April or sometime in MAY>
the only good thing about that is that I get to be lazy and give my sore back a break this time of year as everything is under four feet of snow. ha
Wow Catherine. Coming to your blog is like seeing a preview for spring! It's astounding that you have daffodils up already! Mine show up in Feb, if I'm lucky and believe me, once Feb hits, I'm outside hunting signs of life! Your camellia is going to be goregous. I should look back at your blog archives and see what was blooming last January. (I remember you said you had blooms every month of the year ~ lucky girl!) Thanks for the encouraging photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family as well! I am so glad to have found you and your garden thru blogging. It's been really enjoyable and helpful (especially your pond advice). I hope you have a terrific New Year and I look forward to more reading and commenting in 2010! :-)
Thank you Catherine. I hope you and your family have a wonderful new year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you Catherine! I know this new year is going to be full of wonderful things and great dirt too! Nice to see you still have some green in your yard. After last year anything is a gamble~
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures as always.....can't wait to see them in bloom.
ReplyDeleteHave a Great New Year!
You have a lot going on there.
ReplyDeleteThere are some daffodils coming up here. They're in the 'deer grove', behind the house. I thought the drought this year, would have done them in.
Can't wait to see the camellia blooming.
Happy New Year.
I see from the pictures it looks like you live in Sardinia!
ReplyDeleteNo, joke, is that the situation of your plants is more or less similar to those I have here in the garden ..... well, not really from! I intend to talk about the bulbs, even here in my garden are already beginning to emerge as the temperatures here are still quite high and grow undisturbed.
I think this spring who knows what will fine and if your garden is already starting to show beauty from the end of January not wait to watch this spectacle!
A happy and great new year to all!
Greetings!!
wow!!!This is so beautiful! I love the bulbs image. Looks fantastic!
ReplyDeletewonderful!!!
ReplyDelete