The 2024 Garden Year
January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
Lots of lovely blooms in your garden, Phillip. I confess to being a bit intrigued with Yarrow, lately. I read somewhere that it's one of the most amazing broad spectrum feeder plants for insects. Seeing your happy vignette makes me think I need to get some too. Also, the first photo of the Leonotis is stunning - wow!
ReplyDeleteI've come to the decision that begonias are the way to go for me Phillip. Everything looks so beautiful. Alabama is a scorched mess this year. If it isn't brown, it's drooped and wilted. So sad.
ReplyDeleteYour new garden has a plethora of new to me blooms. It is fun to see them presented today. I can see you are thoroughly enjoying this new garden. Keep the photos coming. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of a beautiful garden. I am quite envious of that bouganvillea. My yarrow dried up early this year. It has been really hard to keep everything watered during this drought.
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely blooms! I can't pick a favorite, but I am really enticed by the 'Violet Kissed' penstemon. I don't think I've ever seen one in these shades. Many of my containers are looking pretty pathetic, but my begonias are doing great,too. I overwintered one last year, and it looked pretty sad all spring, but even it is looking gorgeous right now. I hope I can find room to over-winter most of mine, too. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteLovely blooms! Will you attempt to overwinter the Bougainvillea or treat it as an annual?
ReplyDeleteI am going to try and overwinter it. Any tips?
DeleteHow many beautiful colors you have there in your new-ish garden! What garden zone is your new garden? It will be interesting to see which things over winter well for you.
ReplyDeleteThe "hot mess" along the foundation is quite fantastic! I love the striking foliage combinations. I'm in love with the pictures of the Lion's Ear. I hope to add that beauty to my own garden.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that "hot mess" in the first picture: the color combination is so rich, I wouldn't change a thing. It won't be long before the first gardening year in the PNW is up; It must have been quite an exciting learning curve. It would be interesting to read about some of what you've learn that is different from your experience in Alabama. I love everything about the Lion's Ear. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteLove the lion's ear - I am growing it for the first time this year as well!
ReplyDeleteThe weather agrees with your flowers. I like the Lion's Ear! I first saw 'Red Dragon' Persicaria in your Alabama garden. Now it is growing in mine! Except the unrelenting hot weather the last few months has given it a brownish tint. I hope it will be OK once the weather cools. It is still blooming.
ReplyDeleteIt must be fun to discover new plants now that you're gardening in such a different climate. Everything seems to be thriving under your magic touch. :o)
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