Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The first Bloomday of 2013…


January…it can only get better from here right? There is so much about to bloom in my garden I almost went with a “bud day” theme (that’s Arctostaphylos x ‘Austin Griffiths’ above) but that wouldn't be honoring the intention would it? No it would not. Instead we'll see just exactly what I can scare up that is in bloom…

Oh! Like this Kalanchoe (noid)…

A couple of the cuttings I took to overwinter inside decided to flower, isn't that nice?

And my Grevillea ‘Poorinda Leane’ has a couple of blooms just about to open completely.

It’s covered in buds; the poor thing got smashed when a small limb from one of the Doug Firs behind us came down in a windstorm. It could have been worse. I need to tie it up so it can regain its proper stature.

Another Grevillea, 'Neil Bell' continues its run as the poster child of winter blooms, even through temperatures in the mid 20's...

Have I told you how wonderful it is to see this plant everyday? (yes, several times I'm sure)

While the Rosemary earns a place in my garden strictly because of its flavor, the little flowers are welcome too.

I should have photographed the Fatsia japonica again this month, they’re still looking good, but I forgot. At least I remembered the Mahonia (x media 'Charity')…

Last Bloomday I was sure it was just a matter of days before the Tetrapanax blooms would burst open in a big frothy mass of freaky flower.

Nope, I think they’re frozen here never to open.

Before I close this underwhelming Bloomday post and send you off to Carol at May Dreams Gardens (our hostess for this monthly gathering) I thought I’d share an update on the Potter Wasp mud nest I first photographed last August...

No change, waiting for spring no doubt, just like the rest of us.

28 comments:

  1. Bud day sounds good too! Love seeing how different your garden plants are to mine here in Scotland. Yours are so architectural too.

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    1. Hi Rosie, your "interactive discovery images" are fun to play with! Thanks for stopping by...

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  2. I'd be happy to have average temperature day...thanks for the cheer-up with all that growth. I thought it could only get better, too,l then Jan hit and getting meaner by the day.

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    1. Ya we've been in a bit of a cold spot too actually. Nothing like California as far as it being so out of the ordinary but cold none-the-less. February is just around the corner!

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  3. Bud day is a good idea! Here's how to play: make a large pitcher or thermos of your favorite beverage (Bud is o.k. but on a cold day something warm like mulled wine or hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps sounds good. For purists, straight shots of any distilled beverage may be substituted.) Go out into your garden and whenever you see a bud, you must take a drink. If you don't have any actual budded plants where you live, you can drink whenever you see a plant that you consider a special friend or buddy. If you live where everything is so covered in snow that you can't see any plants, just stay inside and drink. In just a few sightings, you'll be feeling spring's warmth. It's an amazing thing. When this feeling makes you start to wobble a little, it's a good idea to go back inside so that the neighbors don't think you're completely insane. Thanks Loree, I'm feeling better already.

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    1. I want to do this. Garden bloggers' garden stumble?

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    2. Haha! I love it, you seem to have come up with quite the popular idea Outlaw...what day shall we declare to be "bud day"???

      Heather, be careful, it's cold out there!

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    3. Sweet baby Jesus.... leave it to Outlaw to come up with the newest garden bloggers meme! I am on my way outside with a bottle of peach schnapps at this very moment! If you do not hear back from me by the time your next post is twelve hours long, assume I have fallen into a snowbank somewhere and cannot get up. Call the RCMP please and thank you!

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    4. I never would have figured you for a peach schnapps guy, more of a vodka martini type.

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  4. Kalanchoe cuttings are dependable for a bit o' bloom after the big show of Christmas Cactuses and forced bulbs just when things are kind of bleak.

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    1. You're luckier than I seedscatterer, this is a first for me!

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  5. As far as I'm concerned, the Tetrapanax blooms were frozen in time at precisely the right moment...beautiful!
    The Outlaw is such an inspiring influence...shall we call it the Bandit Reel?

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    1. So you're in for GB bud day too? Promise to stay close to the house. You've got enough land out there I wouldn't want you to see too many buds and get lost.

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  6. Not a bad selection for the time of the year Loree. And we're halfway through January already, yay! :)

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    1. Double yay for that! Only 3 weeks and 2 days until our first spring garden show here in Portland!

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    2. Now that's inspiring Bloom Day information!

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  7. And a sunny day at that, with lots of blooms. I have always admired the blooms on the Mahonia shrugging off winter blues. Love the kalanchoe too. mine was in bud and then frosted. So disappointing.

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    1. Sunny was nice, but COLD! Losing a flower to frost is always a sad thing.

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  8. I think I spotted tiny flower buds on my Grellvilla , so tiny I need my glasses to be sure. Every time I see that Mahonia...I must remember to look out for one, Oregon grape is just not the same.
    I have moved by blog , still some tweaking needed

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    1. The bugs on my G. 'molonglo' are like that. Just tiny little fists that you have to look really close to see. But some day, bam!

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  9. Now I can't stop thinking about GB bud day (outlaw style). I think I actually have something blooming in my garden, but now I've missed bloom day again and it's too dark for photos. :(

    Wait, you grow rosemary for the flavor? I grow it for the aroma -- can't walk by without touching it. Mmmm.

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    1. GB bud day...the drinking came sweeping the nation! Just think and we were all here at the beginning.

      Yes sir, cooking with rosemary is one of my fav flavors. Oven roasted potatoes most importantly...or a good savory frittata. Now I'm getting hungry...

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  10. I'm sorry your Tetrapanax didn't make it quite to the point of blooming - there's a small forest of them up the street from me in the same frozen state. I'm liking Outlaw's Bud Day game plan - I'd play with cognac this month and I'd be on the ground in no time: so much is in bud!

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  11. My Tetrapanax is still foliated and there are flowers on it too, but I did not think them terribly photo-worthy. Happy GBBD!

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    1. I've got three patches of Tetrapanax here, the one out front lost it;s leaves early on. The one by the patio shortly there after. But the one by the shade pavilion, with the blooms, is still hanging on to quite a few. Does yours normally stay foliated?

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  12. I can just see February's post once these buds get up and decide it's warm enough to do something showy. But you've got a few braver souls that aren't quite so demanding. Good for them. They've earned their keep!

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    1. So true! And yes, February is gonna be amazing...(or depending on the weather maybe March?).

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