December in coastal Southern California is generally a lot warmer than elsewhere in the US but this year despite the Northeast getting record enjoying record warm temperatures, we're experiencing a significant chill. Nighttime temperatures have dipped into the upper 30sF (4C) and yesterday's daytime high was 57F (14C). Despite the chilly conditions, there are quite a few plants with flowers this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, although relatively few plants with masses of blooms. There are a few exceptions:
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| Arbutus 'Marina' has blooms most of the year but seems to be particularly floriferous this time of year |
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| Bauhinia x blakeana appears to be at its peak |
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| A hedge of Camellia sasanqua (noID) runs along half one side of the house |
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| All my Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy'are blooming but this one is practically exploding with tiny flowers |
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| Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' is a stalwart performer from late summer through winter here |
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| While the Tagetes lemmonii I planted in full sun perished during the hot spells we got throughout the fall, this shrub planted in partial shade has proved to be strong bloomer |
There are also a few genera that are producing flowers in spots throughout the garden, most notably:
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| The Gazania have returned with new blooms since the heat abated. Gazania 'New Day Yellow' is on the far left. The other photos show Gazania from the 'Flame' series. |
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| The larger-flowered Grevillea are also blooming. From left to right, they are G. 'Ned Kelly', G. 'Peaches & Cream', and G. Superb'. |
I'm also pleased that my Thanksgiving cactus has bloomed at last:
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| I'm wondering if Schlumbergera truncata bloomed late this year due to the persistence of high temperatures here |
And here are a few collages showing the bits and pieces in bloom here and there:
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Pink flowers include, top row: Arctotis 'Pink Sugar', Argyranthemum frutescens 'Angelic Pink' and Correa pulchellum 'Pink Eyre'
Middle row: Eustoma grandiflora 'Echo Pink', Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl' and Leucadendron 'Blush'
Bottom row: Osteospermum, Pelargonium peltatum and Rosa 'California Dreamin' |
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Blue & purple blooms include, top row: Barleria obtusa, Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers' and Erigeron glaucus 'Wayne Roderick'
Middle row: Hypoestes aristata (on its last legs), Lavandula multifida and L. angustifolia 'SuperBlue'
Bottom row: Salvia chamaedryoides, S. c. 'Marine Blue' and Solanum xanti |
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| White flowers incude, clockwise from the left: Leucanthemum x superbum, Argyranthemum frutescens 'Madeira White', Correa 'Ivory Bells', Lantana 'Lucky White' and Pelargonium 'Vectis Glitter' |
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| Yellow flowers include, clockwise from upper left: Achillea 'Moonshine', Eustoma grandiflora 'Borealis Yellow', Gaillardia aristata 'Gallo Peach' and Leucadendron 'Pisa' |
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| Orange flowers include, clockwise from upper left: Aloe 'Johnson's Hybrid', Nandina domestica berries, Papaver nudicaule, and Rosa 'Joseph's Coat' |
That's my Bloom Day round-up. Thanks as always to Carol at
May Dreams Gardens, the esteemed host of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.
Visit her site to find what's happening in her garden and other gardens around the world.
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© 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
