Last Thursday, I turned a corner and was startled to see the first blooms on hybrid Camellia 'Taylor's Perfection'. I thought it'd be weeks yet before the shrub bloomed but, when I checked my 2016 record, I found that the blooms are right on schedule.
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| I took this photo late in the day so the light wasn't great but the flower's shape was indeed perfection |
I took my camera out on Christmas morning to see if any other blooms had made an appearance since my Bloom Day inventory. I found just a few.
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| I had some difficulty getting a clear photo of the flower on Billbergia carioca as the camera wanted to focus on the plan'ts spotted foliage |
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| Unlike the Camellia, the powder-puff bloom on Calliandra haematocephala is a couple of weeks early |
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| However, the noID Narcissus is making a well-timed entrance |
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| Erigeron glaucus 'Wayne Roderick' isn't actually a new bloom but it deserves another look because it's putting on an especially good display right now |
The winds have died down at last here and the humidity level has risen dramatically. We've still had no rain to speak of but two weather services are showing a good chance of some light rain on New Year's Day. The Thomas Fire in Ventura County is finally under control, 88% contained after becoming the largest fire in California's recorded history in what was surely the worst year for wildfires we've ever seen. Flowers in winter don't make up for that but they do provide a moment's diversion.
Visit Anna at Flutter & Hum for more Wednesday Vignettes.
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party