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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 ...
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Seeing Red


I've been waiting patiently for Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' to open. It seems like their buds have been on the verge of opening for several weeks now but finally, they are here. I must say that I haven't really been that enamored with hibiscus in the past but this one is pretty spectacular. 

 


It has to be the red-est bloom in the garden but then, when I look around, I see more red, including the rose 'Darcey Bussell' which you can see blooming right underneath the hisbiscus. You will also notice a visitor within the petals -


Another long wait, but I know this one is late because of previous years, is the Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite'. It bloomed profusely three years ago when it was first planted. Last year, it bloomed hardly at all. This year, it is beginning to put on a show and the coming week of hot temperatures should please it.




 More red -

Rose 'Red Cascade'

 

 

Rose Moss (Portulaca)

 

Fuchsia 'Lady Boothby'

 

Fuchsia 'Little Giant'

 

Rose 'Home Run'

 

Dahlia 'Lollipop'

 

Mandevilla

 

Rose 'Marjorie Fair' (aka 'Red Ballerina')

 

Begonia 'Dragon Wing'

 

Begonia 'Dragon Wing' and 'Canary Wing'

 

Bat Face Cuphea (Cuphea Ilavea)

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. ksSeptember 6, 2020 at 7:52 PM

    Red can be such a challenging color to deal with. The red of Lobelia tupa versus the red of Rudbeckia 'Sahara' ... they are both red but they clash horribly. I really struggle with where and how to incorporate red flowers into my garden. Pretty sure I'm overthinking ! 'Midnight Marvel' is really nice-love the dark foliage.

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    1. AntonApril 24, 2024 at 2:17 AM

      Red can be a problem I agree but it's a lovely colour to play with as there as there are so many shades of red, as you say. Some go stunningly well with purples, some absolutely not, others go well with dark black foliage others not etc etc. However the one colour they all go with is green, from chartreuse to dark dark green, making this one of the easiest shades to match to red. You can make a very ordinary shade of red (is there even one) look absolutely luxurious just with the right shade of green. Red and green shimmers and dances. Place a scarlet shade umbrella against a back drop of shiny dark dark green leaves and you have a focal point like no other.

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  2. Arun GoyalSeptember 7, 2020 at 2:11 AM

    Oh Lovely Red Flowers.I loved the hot red Mandevilla flowers the most among all other Red flowers.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to Gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/09/garden-affair-teaching-from-gardening.html

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  3. chavlinessSeptember 7, 2020 at 10:25 AM

    Hot red blooms are the centerpiece of the dog days of summer. Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' is stunning, and I also love Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite which isn't seen very often in Seattle.
    If only Bat Face Cuphea had bloomed later, towards the end of October, in time for Halloween!

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 7, 2020 at 4:23 PM

    So red of you. Love each and every one. Our crepe myrtle didn't bloom this year. It froze to the ground this winter. I hope it survives next year and blooms this beautiful red.

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  5. Gardener on Sherlock StreetSeptember 7, 2020 at 6:03 PM

    Love red! I'm making a red bed in my garden. I have another hibiscus that I'm already planning for next year.

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