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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 when I sit and do nothing, the joints begin to stiffen. Actually, there is a lot to do in the garden in March. It is time to transplant, prune the roses, etc. For the first time this year, I hired a professional pruning service to do some things that I could not reach.
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| April 22, 2024 |
April
Winters here tend to linger longer than I would like but just when you think you cannot endure another gray, cold, and wet day, there are glimmers of relief as late April rolls around. Tree peonies, camellias, dogwoods, tulips and early perennials like bleeding hearts make an appearance and things are looking up.
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| May 4, 2024 |
May
The transformation of the garden in just a few short weeks is amazing. Rainy weather continues into May and this year we had a very wet spring. But this is what rain will do!
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| June 27, 2024 |
June
Looking at my June posts, it appears that I spent a lot of time visiting other gardens this year. That was fun. Our own garden is at its peak in June. I remember when we first began opening our garden, the major dilemma was when to do it. I now know that the first or second week of June is ideal. The above photo was taken near the end of the month and that is when the hydrangeas begin to bloom.
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| July 20, 2024 |
July
By the time July rolls around, watering is in full swing. The summers are dry here and it isn't unusual to not have rain at all from June to October. There were a few hot spells this past summer with temperatures hovering near and sometimes over 100. However, it wasn't as severe as it has been in the past.
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| August 13, 2024 |
August
One of my least favorite months of the year but I can't say this one was particularly bad. As I mentioned earlier, the hot spells have been more frequent, but they are usually short-lived. As you can see in the above photo, the snapdragons still looked great in mid-August. Toward the end of the month, I ordered a chip drop and it was massive. Since a lot of our ground is covered by plants now, I realized quickly that I would never find enough room for all of it. I shared a lot of it with friends, neighbors and co-workers.
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| September 14, 2024 |
September
This was a really nice fall. The hot weather left at the end of August, and it was mild from here out. Plants begin to look tired this time of year but on the other hand, the crape myrtles are just beginning to put on their show.
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| October 27, 2024 |
October
The above photo, taken in our front garden, was at the end of October but the autumn color had started weeks before that. The Stewartia was especially beautiful this year and had turned color by the 15th of October.
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| November 17, 2024 |
November
I left on November 1 for a 2-week trip to Japan and when I returned, the color was still in full swing although I did miss the lovely Gingko which has just turned color the day before I departed. The leaves were all gone when I got home. 'Skeeter's Broom' though was nice to come home to!
December
The first frost date was December 1st this year, a bit late. It has been a rainy month with cold temperatures during the first few weeks, followed by a warmer than usual trend in the past weeks. Christmas is approaching and temperatures have been in the upper 40 and even lower 50s.
Onward to 2025...
Every photo is a standout, Phillip! I put together a similar overview at the end of each year but I can never restrict myself to a single photo for each month - you're much more disciplined than I am ;) Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI will be looking for your post. It is hard to choose just one photo.
DeleteWhat a wonderful summary of the year. As I begin to design how I want to change my new background, your garden is my primary inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be fun seeing your garden develop! So happy you are here.
DeleteA beautiful look at your garden over the past year! Makes me yearn for spring. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteIt will be here before we know it!
DeleteYour garden is so delightful no matter the weather or time of year. It is truly an inspiration. It is such fun to see it month by month as you have it depicted here. Our weather has been much warmer this fall and winter, so far. I too have been walking daily since June when I received a fitbit for my birthday. I hate to miss a day of walking. Like you I get to feeling guilty if not stiff and creaky if I don't walk daily. A good habit to have for sure. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep up the walking!
DeleteLoved this review of 2024. Thank you, Philip, for keeping us inspired! Best wishes to you two.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Happy 2025!
DeleteA beautiful garden! I look forward to your every post.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Europe Bulgaria
Your garden is so lovely - it always is, of course but now that it has matured a lot it is amazing. Remembering your old garden, I wasn't sure how the new one would be able to compete but you have done miracles. I found you years ago when I was thinking about moving to Alabama from Portland (done in August 2007!) and have happily followed you ever since.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Barbara! How do you like Alabama?
DeleteBeautiful country up here in the NE corner, the culture is not Portland (too bad), winters are too cold and summers too hot but that was true at times in Portland - but the best thing is that my youngest sister (same birthday 7 years apart) lives 4 miles away! Do you like the Pacific NW as much as you thought you would? It's a beautiful area but so many people in Portland. That was one thing I knew I wouldn't miss - I can only imagine it now.
DeleteYou are in the prettiest part of Alabama. I love the culture and diversity here but don't like the huge population. Even here in Vancouver is too crowded for my taste. I rarely go to Portland unless I have to. The traffic is just awful.
Delete