Garden Bloggers Bloomday Caboose January 2023

 The January deluges here in California have finally subsided with only one day forecast to bring more rain in the next week or so. Last night the frost made a comeback but the sun is shining and the standing water in my garden has soaked in. Professional landscape photographers love to shoot in bad weather but they have weather sealed cameras and appropriate garb which I do not. I do have a couple pairs of waterproof boots and a raincoat , used primarily to get from the parking lot into the grocery store. The photos this Bloomday are consequently rain-delayed and a little rough since I didn't want to step into my water-logged garden during a rain break yesterday and could not get as close to the few plants that actually have flowers as I would have liked. Much cropping was involved. 

 The combination of either late nights and mornings in the 20's or dark soggy days have produced an almost flower-free January this year-I predict a glorious spring provided there is actual sun. So here are the meager offerings for this month .

  I included the Hellebores even though they are not quite open, and there are a few more I couldn't photograph without stepping into puddles or mud. Their appearance every winter certainly raises the spirits. 'Ivory Prince and 'Pink Frost' are the only named varieties here, the others are unamed seedlings that have been spreading for many years in my garden.



Ivory Prince


Pink Frost




 The Correas are reliable fall/winter/spring bloomers here and take a rest in the heat of summer. The foliage looks great year round, and they take the heat and low summer water quite well. 


Correa 'Pink Eyre'
 
 
Correa 'Ivory Bells'

 And last, I'll include Aloe 'Moonglow' which so far has made it through both the torrential rains and the heavy frosts and has multiple bloom spikes .  I'm hoping they won't blast in the next few weeks . Though our last average frost date is early March, the duration of the freezing temps shrinks significantly and the warmer and longer days will typically lessen the risk . I took the precaution of making a slight berm when planting 'Moonglow' since I knew this bed was a risk for standing water , and so far I see no damage on the plant.


 Carol at May Dreams Gardens is our hostess for Garden Bloggers Bloomday on the 15th of every month , year round.

Comments

  1. My guess is that you got as much as double the rain we did, Kathy - and we didn't experience the freezing temperatures you did, so all things considered I think your garden made a good showing for January. I sighed over your lovely hellebores as mine won't show up for a month or more yet. And my Correas are already done for the season by all appearances. Like you, I'm hoping all that rain brings a bountiful spring.

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    1. Our 30 day rain total is 15.29 on the valley floor, and in the low to mid 20's in the higher elevations of the county. I'm on the valley floor . Last 7 days is about 3.75 for me. We may get another 1/2 inch tomorrow but I actually managed to pull some weeds on the hell strip this afternoon. I'm surprised you Hellebores are later than mine-maybe they need a bit more cold to them going ?

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  2. Hooray for Moon Glow! Mine look about like yours, biding their time. In general, though, my aloes are much delayed. Some regular flowerers may not flower at all this year. Or maybe they'll be really late? I guess it all depends on how much sun we'll get. I'm ready for a nice dry spell!

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    1. So happy with Moonglow ! I'm going to head to RBG at some point in the next couple of weeks to see how the Aloe bloom is progressing there. I bet they are behind too. It was great to get outside today, too soggy to do much but the sun felt great.

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  3. So many beautiful Hellebores! And the Aloe plant looks so healthy. I'm glad you've gotten some rain, but not too much rain. Happy growing!

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    1. Many areas of California fared worse I must say. I expect to share more Hellebores for Feb Bloomday-they should be in full bloom by then.

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  4. Oh how I love that little Correa 'Ivory Bells'... and have had to give up on it here. All it takes is that one cold night and it's done.

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    1. I searched for this plant for what seemed like a year and finally found it at the Bancroft. Now I see it all over. I'm sorry you can't grow it-maybe a container with winter in the pavilion ?

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