I wandered around hoping I'd be surprised by a flower. Unfortunately there were no surprises - although I did see lots of buds on plants. Pansies and Violas are probably all I'll see blooming for at least another month.
I've got quite a few Pansies blooming throughout the yard, but it was so windy I had a hard time taking their pictures.
Purple Violas
This Primrose has been blooming for months.
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted on the 15th of each month by Carol of May Dreams Gardens, where you can go to see what is blooming in other gardeners gardens right now. I'm hoping January will bring Hellebores and Sarcococca blooms at least.
The Anna's Hummingbird that kept me company while I was outside. Thinking that if I put up another feeder I would have more Hummingbirds visiting ended up not working out the way I hoped. Now not only does she guard the old feeder, but the new one as well. Several times another one tried to sip some nectar only to be chased off.
While stopping by my favorite nursery yesterday to pick up some gift cards (and drool over the expensive Christmas Roses (Helleborus niger) that I can't seem to break down and buy yet) I found the pamphlet for the Northwest Flower and Garden show that is going on February 23 - 27, 2011. I had heard the theme was going to be something about fairy tales. Once I got home I started looking at the list of speakers that will be there and couldn't believe how many names I now know from garden blogs, books and the NPR Greendays (KUOW 94.9 FM Tuesdays at 10 am) radio show. I started circling and circling the seminars that I want to attend and practically circled them all. Once the holidays are through the Flower and Garden show is the next big thing I look forward to until spring arrives.
Catherine, it is so good to see those blooms! We have a single digit day again, so I guess I'll do some more cooking for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteEileen
It has been 20 degrees or more below normal here in North Florida, several days we didn't get out of the 40's..maybe low 50's today. The wind has been been fierce here too. Love the photo of the trees! When is the Backyard Bird Count? I rely on you to post it in your sidebar, lol. Or did I miss seeing it?
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to believe it is almost garden show time!! I'm impressed by your evergreens and the wind. Those evergreens is what I envision Washington to look like. Never been but will someday.
ReplyDeleteSo, the wind moved in your direction then! We've had a lovely, calm overcast day with the promise of some showers, tomorrow only! I'm holding thumbs tightly they're right!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love pansies and violas - they are such rewarding little plants and the pinks and blues are my favourites. Primulas also take a lot of beating.
You seem to have been very busy outdoors getting everything ready for Christmas - and it's absolutely true what you say. Some vigorous garden therapy is the perfect way to reset ones happiness dial. It always works for me ;)
Such a stunning picture of your bossy little hummingbird! With such a cute little face and toughy act, I'd forgive him :)
aloha,
ReplyDeletehave i ever mention how wonderful your bird photos are, its great...and your winter flowers and sweet too :)
I love seeing you little hummingbird. Long gone from here, so it is fun to see them somewhere. Also, pansies are a show stopper anywhere there is cooler temps for them. They are one of my spring favorites.
ReplyDeleteOur shows start in January through March. I travel to them throughout the Northeast with my landscaper and grower. I always look forward to them. He made the Northwest show last year. I could not attend.
Hi Catherine, Oh how I love seeing your little Anna! So sweet, if but a bit bossy. Your pansies are sweet too . . . give yourself a gift of that Hellebore . . . you deserve it and it deserves a great home.
ReplyDeleteI loved your hummingbird as well. It does have that "don't mess with me look" I'd say it knows it's well off in your garden.
ReplyDeleteLove all your purple colour flowers!
ReplyDeleteEvery morning I faithfully take the chill out of the hummingbird food and have been rewarded by seeing they've made it thru another cold night. 25* last night. Took 17 Monarchs to the "Butterfly Encounter" at Lucas Nursery. I still have a few blooms that I wheel in and out but didn't know how many were left in the area for them.
ReplyDeleteYour Anna has an intense and fierce look upon her tiny face~But, what a marvelous face that is~ gail
ReplyDeleteOh, you're so lucky to live close to a great flower show. I doubt I'll make it over the pass to see it. Enjoy for me! (and break down and get more hellebores . . . you can always divide them later to make yourself feel more frugal!)
ReplyDeleteYour pansies are a delight to see, and your bird shots are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYour Anna's Hummingbird is so SWEET! Wonderful photo of her, too!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I had a similar hummingbird problem year 'round. Thought that if I put out a few lovely nice big feeders that the numbers would increase. Seemed like all that happened is that one or two birds camped out, didn't eat much fought off all new comers and I was tossing a lot of solution. Granted sugar is cheap but... For myself and in my yard I stumbled upon a solution to the hummingbird issue. A cheapo national chain store had some very small feeders, it holds maybe a quarter cup, probably not even that, has one hole and cost a whole whopping eighty-eight cents. It made it possible for me to have several all over the yard. I think I'm up to about ten. They are far enough apart and plentiful enough that the little buggers can't stake themselves out over all of them.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a lot more blooming than I do!!
ReplyDeleteNice pansies, Catherine. I'm hoping my Sarcococca will be blooming too. I'll have to have a look at the speakers. I've never been to the show but it has always sounded just dreamy.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has bounced from freezing to 70 degrees and then down to the 50's and we've been getting strong winds too. I love your pansies. That's about all I have blooming right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm betting you will have blooms in January Catherine. I think you did last year, right?
ReplyDeleteThat little Anna's hummingbird is the cutest. Can she see both feeders from her favorite perch? If so, I wonder if it would help to move one out of sight? I had to station my three at positions around the house where they couldn't be seen from each other. It was the only way to feed more than one hummingbird. Do a lot of people feed the hummingbirds in the winter there? I'm going to have to tell my brother about them ~ maybe he'll put out a feeder too.
A fairy tale theme for the Garden Show sounds positively dreamy. I wish I could go. I bet it will be fascinating. I'll look forward to seeing your photos. I hope you get to take a lot of classes too.
Gorgeous Catherine!! I know it might not seem like mich, but a few blooms and leaves on trees would be so very welcome here at the moment. Glad you enjoyed some garden time. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, it sure looks nice with those flowers blooming in your garden. My garden is still covered in that white stuff... and I really long for it to go away! If I don't have time to visit you again soon I want to say;
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family / gittan
Lovely photos. I particularly like the hummingbird.
ReplyDeleteLove those pretty flowers!
ReplyDeleteJane
I am always amazed that your Hummingbirds hang around in the winter. Love pansies, sweet little faces.
ReplyDeleteYour little hummingbird is a bloom unto herself!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I like your photo of the trees!
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything blooming in the garden here at present - most of it is under snow again, so I can't see!
But the snowdrops will be at work under the grass and I look forward to their peeking above the surface soon.
Hi Catherine. That is a beautiful picture of the hummingbird. Your pansies and violas are still looking good. Mine are now covered with a fresh five inches of snow this morning.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a Wonderful Christmas.
All this is very beautiful, Abe. I have a few pansies on my balcony and as it is windy today here too they seem to suffer a lot. They spent the night in my living room but my granddaughter is coming today, therefore I had to put them back on the balcony this morning. I felt a bit guilty :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I have made a mistake (thought this was Abraham's blog). Nevertheless I really think what I wrote, your photos are great!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable, grumpy looking hummingbird! I haven't seen any in my garden since at least October.
ReplyDeleteThe flower show does sound like something to look forward to! I love your primrose.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad the hummingbird is so territorial, but they are feisty little things! Here they bicker over the Brazilian Blue Sage all summer.
So gorgeous and I'm incredibly jealous!
ReplyDeleteSomehow we sort of forgot about the gutters around here. My husband went to put up the Christmas lights, and ended up spending the afternoon cleaning out the (completely full) gutters instead! Ah, the glamorous life of home ownership...
ReplyDeleteCatherine I'm so glad that I have your blog to look forward to and others to lift my spirits and inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to spring and the coming of the New year! Can't wait to see what 2011 brings! Season's Greetings to you and family.
You have such variety still and a hummingbird! Things are kind of dull here. Thank goodness for Christmas decorations. I'm hoping for snow, and a lot of it!
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to stop by and say 'if I don't see you before Christmas ;)... many blessings to you! It has been wonderful to share with you this past year.'
Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
How did you get so lucky to get a shot of that hummingbird sitting still? I can never get that shot. Blossoms or no Blossoms, your garden Rocks!
ReplyDeleteCatherine,It was so good to see you again in the Hollow! I see everything in your world is still blooming up a storm. I must catch up, I have been remiss. Its always a beautiful world here.
ReplyDeleteBTW. in answer to your Q. I haven't done any calenders. Puzzles, cards, fabric, books..but no calenders. I am thinking I will next year though. I will let you know if I do it!
Blessings on your Christmas and New Year!
Those are so pretty.
ReplyDelete