Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - December 2010

Believe it or not something is blooming outside in our upstate New York garden in the middle of December!


The Helleborus Niger is still going strong!


No wonder it's called 'Christmas Rose'

There are still many buds waiting to open.




This is what it looked like on December 1st. The first buds appeared near the end of October (pictured here) and it has been blooming profusely ever since (November Bloom Day pics here). The flower on the far left is the original bloom. They just keep going, opening pure white petals which eventually turn pink. Posted by Picasa


Not surprisingly, all other current blooms are indoors.


Streptocarpus/Cape Primrose is related to African Violets. It's the large plant in the picture above this one.


Anemone de Caen/Dutch Windflower
Planted in a pot in the spring of 2009, the bulbs didn't bloom last summer but are beginning to bloom now.


This pretty begonia has tiny 'rose' flowers Posted by Picasa


Aren't they sweet?
It's another passalong from my friend, Marie.


The Hoya is still blooming, currenting showing off 3 flower clusters, with more to come. I fed it all summer.


here are the little 'stars' before they open....


...to reveal these ruby red jewels. Posted by Picasa


There's a flower cluster preparing to open on the Parlor Palm.


Upstairs quite a few Ivy Geraniums are still producing blooms.


And the Orchid Cactus bloomed just recently.


This is the third time it's produced blooms this year.
Quite an amazing plant. Posted by Picasa


The Kenilworth Ivy/Mother of Thousands is flowering too.
I found it easy to root cuttings of this plant. It's hardy here in our northeast zone 5 garden, although this one is in the pot with the Orchid Cactus. I have a piece of it in a pot on the unheated, covered side porch and plan to plant it in the garden next spring. I saw it growing on top of a stone wall last spring and it was the perfect place for those pretty leaves and dainty flowers to meander along. 


These are wax begonia cuttings that didn't get planted last summer. I'll put them in a pot and plant them next spring.


Jasmine and Hannah are missing their outdoor time. They go out for short periods but are very anxious to get back into the warmth of the house. They entertain themselves by watching the birds at the feeders on the front porch and just beyond. 


The weather outside is frightful, but the dream of spring warms our thoughts.
Christmas lights reflect on the snowy porch railing as snow lightly falls tonight.


It's been a week of frigid temperatures and snow showers, but so far not as much snow as last week brought. Here's what the front yard looked like last Wednesday under a foot or more of snow. Posted by Picasa


The Sedum and Mallow are now cloaked in white.


 

But let's finish with color!
Here's another peek at the pretty little 'Rose' Begonia. Posted by Picasa

Be sure to visit Carol of May Dreams Gardens to see what's blooming in gardens all over the world.

Happy December Bloom Day everyone!
And may visions of sugarplums dance in your head.

30 comments:

BernieH said...[Reply]

You've got a wonderful Winter wonderland outside right now ... such a completely different story to the conditions here in muggy stinky hot north Qld!

I'm amazed at your beautiful Hellebore ... what a hardy tough little one! It's just beautiful. Love your indoor plants as well ... particularly that pretty Begonia and Hoya, which are both familiar plants for me. I also have a Streptocarpus that looks very similar to yours ... mine flowers nearly all year round here.

Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas and a wonderful festive season! Stay snug and warm!

Cat said...[Reply]

Oh and I love that Hoya! The progression of the blooms is beautiful and so intricate...happy bloom day and thanks for visiting and leaving such a nice comment ;-)

Houston Garden Girl said...[Reply]

All your blooms are great. I love the tiny flowers of the hoya and the passalong begonia. The orchid cactus is cool too.

Alice said...[Reply]

I agree with Bernie's comments about your flowers. The colour and variety that you are able to maintain in the house is wonderful and very inspiring, and I'm sure it brings a lot of joy to you both.

I love the snowy photos too. Such a contrast to here, although Bernie has a much greater contrast in her lovely part of the world*.

Thank you for all of the magnificent photos you've posted throughout the year, Kerri. They truly are a delight and your should be extremely proud of your photographic skills.

*(Did I ever tell you that Bernie worked at the same school as Geoff and I met her when I stayed with T&G in June?)

CanadianGardenJoy said...[Reply]

Kerri girl I am astounded with your blooming hellebore ! and in your grow zone ? How on earth has this happened? Can you give me some pointers so I might be able to get mine to do that too ? It is amazing !
You have so much going on indoors too .. like your own little hot house : )
Joy

Gail said...[Reply]

Kerri, Happy Bloom Day! Wonderful blooms~and the hellebore is fantastic! How do you keep the cats away from the plants! Coal is scheming the minute he sees a bouquet from the grocery store come in the house. Beautiful wintry scenes~the pumpkin is very telling of your winter! gail

Wally said...[Reply]

I love hellebores and your photos of them in the snow are just amazing. I also love the hoya and the orchid cactus. Oh, and the cats.

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

My hellebores won't begin setting buds until a little later. It seems amazing to me that yours are blooming. Wow a foot of snow! That is a lot. Glad you didn't have any adverse affects from such a lot of snow at once. Your indoor blooms are a sight for winter
sore eyes.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, I knew your indoor garden would be as beautiful and colourful as your summer displays. I do love all the flowers but your pumpkins in the snow stole the show for me. This is a fantastic shot. It really emphasizes the winter spirit. Your pretty visitor makes a colourful and beautiful header.
dear Kerri, I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas. Trudi xo.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Amazing, do you realize that your may be only three or four months without something blooming outdoors? That Christmas rose is stunning, but then your indoor garden is too.

I love the pumpkin shot!

p3chandan said...[Reply]

Anazing flower and colour show indoor and wonderful winntery garden with your pumpkins and Christmas rose! I love your rose begonia, hoya and cactus best so dainty yet attractive blooms to brighten your house. Happy Blooming Day!

Tabor said...[Reply]

Such variety. You make me want to get more indoor plants and then I remember we will be going on travel for three weeks this winter! Who will take care of them?

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Lovely blooms. I am from Western NY and had no real blooms to show, just snow covered plants. Not a foot like your area though. Glad someone from NY had an outdoor bloomer.You have many fine indoor plants and pretty kitties, too.

Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens said...[Reply]

Loved seeing your Christmas rose: mine is in bloom too but with far fewer flowers. You inside plants are beautiful too. Carolyn

Eliza @ Appalachian Feet said...[Reply]

So many flowers in December! I'm so excited to see an anemone -- now I can't wait for my dormant ones to show up in the spring.

Town Mouse said...[Reply]

Great blooms - and I love that Cardinal in your banner (is it a Cardinal? Just shows they don't come to the west coast).

Happy bloom day!

RBell said...[Reply]

Blooms in the snow - who'd of thought! Really like the blooms on that Orchid Cactus - will have to watch for that!

sweetbay said...[Reply]

You always have so much blooming indoors in winter and it's all lovely! Your H. niger is beautiful. I love the shot of the pumpkins half-buried in snow.

Tanya Boracay said...[Reply]

Loved to see this ruby red jewels.

Just like to share with you a beautiful quote...

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Albert Schweitzer

You can get more happiness quotes at http://www.quotelandia.com/category/Happiness

Michelle said...[Reply]

I love the pumpkin photo and Helleborus are the most devine flowers and even more special because they bloom in the freezing temps!

word verif. CHILLE

Linda said...[Reply]

It was so nice to hear from you Kerri. Thank you.
This is always, always such a lovely place to visit. Those little stars...just amazing.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas.

Meems said...[Reply]

I just love seeing this magical snow covered winter where you live, dear Kerri. From the pretty helloborus laden with white to all those sweet blooms inside it is a treat to visit your December blooms. You take great photos of those tiny flowers indoors! I also dropped by to say the merriest of Christmases to you and yours. God bless and best wishes for a very healthy New Year. *hugs* Meems

Pam said...[Reply]

Goodness, your garden looks very chilly - and for once, ours looks much the same. Well, apart from being tiny and without a view of mountains.

Hope you and yours had a lovely time at Christmas!

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Hello Dear Kerri..... I know its been a long time since I stopped by, but it is really lovely to re-acquaint myself with scenes around the farm and of course... pussy cats.

What a refreshing sight to see the helleborus flowering. I have been watching the news and see that New York has been badly hit by snow. We were forecast more yesterday, but it turned to heavy rain and thankfully it is being washed away. We had our first heavy fall of snow in November and it has stuck around since then.... bitterly, bitterly cold... I am dreaming of the warm days of spring.

I hope that you, Ross and family keep well. May the New Year bring good health and happiness to you all. Hugs - Marion

Merle said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri ~~ Thank you so much for your comments and Christmas and New Year
wishes. I put a post on tonight, but still tired after the trip but it was so
good to see my Q'ld loved ones.
I loved all your photos of flowers. I have
that lovely Hoya Bella (meaning white) and
love it. I wonder if the Cape primrose
Streptocarpus if what I know as a nodding violet. It looks like it and they do nod if it's the same. Take care my friend and have a wonderful New Year. Love, Merle.

Christmas-etc... said...[Reply]

How beautiful! What a hardly little plant and how it must make your heart sing to see it blooming in December!
Thanks so much for your lovely comments about Edward! he is such a dear little soul!
Blessings!
Ann

Kathleen said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri. Happy New Year wishes to you and your family. Your garden is gorgeous even now. I can't believe that Christmas rose Hellebore! I think I "need" one of those! Anything that will bloom in snow is amazing and necessary, right?!! You and I are kindred souls needing our indoor blooms to carry us thru the winter. You sure have a lot of them and some lovely ones at that. I had a Hoya for a while but it was hanging over my bathtub and constantly dropped its white flowers into the tub. I got tired of cleaning them out and moved it but it does not like its new location and no longer blooms. Mine did not have that attractive red tho. I guess there are lots of varieties??
Your kitties are smart to watch the birds from inside. It's been cold here lately but I can't complain since we had a milder than normal fall. Stay warm and thanks for all your thoughtful, kind comments.

Terri said...[Reply]

Happy New Year!

What are you planning for this year's garden?

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

I'm not going to complain about snow again :)) Love that hardy little flower in the snow.

Bindhu Unny said...[Reply]

Lovely! Both snow and the flowers. :)