Bloom Day in the new garden
Abutilon ‘Marilyn’s Choice’
Shh! They don’t know it’s January, the depths of winter. They’re obliviously blooming in the new-baby garden—not a lot of them, mind you, but enough to make the Bloom Day hunt worthwhile.
The ‘Pam’s Pink’ Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus drummondii) is surprising me with its long bloom time. It hasn’t stopped since I planted it in November. It’s probably grateful to be out of the dried-out nursery pot it sulked in through the end of summer, as we waited to move.
The inherited climbing rose ‘Dortmund’ always has a handful of blossoms, mostly ragged-looking at this time of year, although this one looks nice.
Also inherited with the new garden, ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia continues to flower in a half-hearted way. But my gosh, it IS January. I’m proud of the little guy for soldiering on.
‘Radrazz’ Knock Out rose, as usual, is blooming and setting a few new buds. Does she ever stop? Not that I can tell.
Another ‘Radrazz’ rose
A purple oxalis (Oxalis triangularis ) I dug up from the old garden shows its sweet lilac flowers in front of a silver stock-tank planter.
That’s it. A late-planted amaryllis in bud promises a spot of indoor color on my windowsill soon. But living in central Texas, where live oaks and junipers keep the landscape green year-round, I don’t find winter dreary. Puttering around in my new back yard, under an evergreen canopy of live oaks and white-trunked Texas persimmons, I’m dreaming not of spring but of making new planting beds for my old-garden transplants before it gets hot again.
Last Saturday, Austin’s local newspaper printed an article about Garden Bloggers Bloom Day and Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who dreamed up the idea several years ago. Congrats to Carol and thanks to writer Renee Studebaker for giving Bloom Day (and garden bloggers) some good press. To see what’s blooming in gardens around the world on this date, visit May Dreams Gardens.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I like those skeletal looking shrubs in the foreground of the last picture – what are they?
Those are the Texas persimmons, Helen—a very drought-tolerant tree native to central Texas. It’s growing out of cracks in the limestone. —Pam
Lovely blooms, Pam. I can’t believe the difference there is between Austin and Round Rock. Everything got knocked back with an early frost here, and I have nothing in bloom. With the cold nights and warmish days, I too am thinking of working on flower beds as soon as my Christmas company leaves.
Everything may get knocked back here tonight, Jenny. We’re expecting temps in the 20s. But even with the cold snaps it’s a great time to work on new beds, isn’t it? —Pam
I can’t believe you have blooms this time of year! Lovely, indeed.
Cameron
There aren’t many, but I’ll take ’em. Thanks for visiting, Cameron. —Pam
Pam,
I can’t believe your Turks Cap is still blooming! And, the roses too? Wow!
The roses didn’t surprise me, Randy, but the Turk’s cap sure did. In my old garden, the Turk’s caps are long dormant. This ‘Pam’s Pink’ is in a protected spot in the new garden, but still. —Pam
Pam,
I have long admired the Turk’s Cap and abutilon,”Pam and Marilyn’are lovely! You can’t beat the shape and look of a Live Oak…boy, would they be welcome here! I am very glad they were already in your baby garden! Have a good day, gail
The live oaks are very beautiful, and I’m going to do all I can to protect their roots as I begin my new garden. I wouldn’t want to lose any. Happy Bloom Day to you, Gail. —Pam
Hiya Pam,
Texas is obviously much better for R. ‘Dortmund’ than chilly England: no sign of a bud on mine this winter, though other years it usually obliged with a stray flower or two.
But that Abutilon must have been a real pleasant surprise.
How nice would it be to spend just ten minutes in a warm garden. Beam me up or over or something.
I wish I could, Joco. Although it’s not too warm today actually. —Pam
My neighbor divided and shared her purple oxalis with me about a year ago. Don’t you just love those dainty white blooms, so tiny and perfect? And the deep shade of purple, along with the odd-shaped leaves, on the oxalis is so beautiful. Love it.
Brenda
The purple is my favorite too, although I also had the white-flowering variety in the old garden. But it went dormant in summer, and the purple doesn’t. —Pam
That Radrazz has been a real workhorse in your garden! Beautiful photos.
Thanks, Susan. Yep, the ‘Radrazz’ is definitely pulling its own weight. —Pam
It looks as though you have another sheltered spot in your new garden. Lovely blooms to help you get through the month of January. My radrazz finally stopped blooming a month ago. I also have oxalis but yesterday the bloom stayed closed all day. I noticed that the leaves were frosted too.
I guess I do, Jenny. The back garden faces mostly south, and the raised beds are planted against the warm, brick wall of the house. It’s keeping a few things in bloom now, but I imagine it’ll be pretty hot in summer. Luckily there’s some shade too. —Pam
What a treat to see all the lovely colour in your garden, Pam, especially as we have knee-knocking cold in Nova Scotia right now! The top photo – what an extraordinary bloom that is. All your flowers look like they’re very happy in their new home.
Hi, Nancy. I hope you can warm yourself in front of Southern blogs today. Tuck in until spring. It won’t be long! —Pam
What lovely blooms Pam. They certainly make me forget the single digit cold that surrounds my garden.
Once again some of your photos are giving me a muse. Do you mind if I paint your Dortmund rose and or the knockout bud? They are inspiring me today.
I don’t mind at all, Lisa. I love the idea that you find painting inspiration here. —Pam
I never did get around to going to the Austin nurseries in search of Pam’s Pink when I was there at Christmas. But everytime I see you post a picture of it, I kick myself! Maybe this spring I’ll get one… 🙂
I hope you find one, Jean. I’m really enjoying mine. —Pam
Very nice blooms here.
Thanks, Darla. —Pam
Beautiful blooms in your new garden today Pam! That Knockout rose is definitely a keeper, providing you with constant blooms to enjoy. Congrats to Carol, a much deserved recognition for her!
Hi, Racquel. Thanks for stopping by today, and happy Bloom Day to you. —Pam
Oh, to be somewhere where there are flowers blooming in a garden…. January is definitely not dreary in Austin. I so admired those purple Oxalis that I’ve decided to get some for this summer. Even without blooms it’s beautiful. The Turk’s Cap has such an eye-opening combination of colors that it provides an instant shot of warmth. I feel better just looking at your beautiful flowers. I still need to wear a cardigan in the house, but my mind at least is warm.
I agree that the purple oxalis is beautiful whether in bloom or not. I’m glad you found a little warmth here, MMD. It sure sounds cold up in Chicago. —Pam
Thank goodness someone has blooms today! Pam, I knew we could count on you!
I’m glad that Digging was able to deliver, Phillip. The hot climate pays off in winter. —Pam
A few of my plants grow where the house blocks the NE wind and it makes a big difference. It looks like you have a larger protected area as well as a slight downward slope so the cold air rolls away from the house. I’ve also seen a moderating effect near the volume of water in a pool, so in addition to your incredible gardening skills, topology will ensure that your Bloom Days will probably always be good ones, Pam ;-]
Happy First Bloom Day in the new garden!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I didn’t know that the pool might help to create a warmer microclimate. Interesting. But I think you have more flowers than I do this month, even though it’s colder in your part of town. —Pam
YOur abuliton and Turks’ Cap are just lovely! Love your attitude about puttering under your live oaks! And the bark on your Texas Persimmons are gorgeous – their beautiful trunks made me think they were Crape Myrtles.
They look very much like crepe myrtles on first glance. I sure do love their beautiful, white bark. —Pam
Hi Pam, happy times puttering around the new baby garden. The Texas persimmons are ghostly and lovely, I love the white trunks and segmented shapes. What a great photo of the difficult to shoot Diamond Frost, I gave up, between the white and the teensiness, it just wasn’t going to happen. They are annual here, but worth replanting for the airy long season, though not as long as yours! 🙂
Frances
I may have to replace my ‘Diamond Frost’ by summer too, Frances. But for now it’s still trying hard to hang on. —Pam
Hey! We have the same Oxalis blooming right now, though mine is safely indoors. Plus, I brought in a ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia last fall and potted it up with some poinsettias. But neither one is blooming. I hope to take them back out in the spring and hope they perk up a bit and keep going. I love to see that the roses are blooming somewhere in the winter time. I just hope roses here survive the oh-so-cold temperatures!
Happy Bloom Day!
I bet purple oxalis does make a pretty houseplant. How neat that you’re growing it too. I hope you and the roses survive this cold snap. —Pam
Stunning photos as usual, Pam! That oxalis looks so dainty and delicate.
Thanks, JGH. Purple oxalis looks dainty, but it’s a tough, shade-loving plant that can take our summer heat and humidity. —Pam
Pam — the flowers are great but I really love that last image of the new garden. Wonderful canopy and mid-layer and those twisting pale trunks — heaven!
That’s what I see when I go outside, Linda. The flowers in this post require a bit of a hunt right now. But the trees and rocks are always there. —Pam
Gorgeous photos! You’re the envy of everyone to the north of you. Interestingly I live in USDA Zone 8b also but my ‘Knock Out’ knocked out months ago. I’ve read about Turk’s Cap. Now I think I need to have it.
Hi, Grace. I’m glad you enjoyed the pics. It is interesting how different the same zone can be, depending on latitude. —Pam
Lovely flowers! I can’t decide if I like the first one or the roses the best.
Hi, Sue. I’m glad you like the photos. I take a lot of rose pics at this time of year, but I led with the abutilon because it hasn’t gotten its share of the spotlight at Digging. —Pam
More Abutilon in Austin! My Abutilon is blooming too! Mine is ‘Little Red Bells’ Your turks cap looks great too! Mine has all gone to berries.
The abutilons are definitely in the limelight this month, aren’t they? Yours is lovely too, Michelle. —Pam
I knew I needed a little visit to your blog today! Just what the Dr. ordered, all that beautiful color and tropical blooms give me hope for what lies ahead. I’m sure it’s wonderful to putter in January in Austin ~ at least it’s not in triple digits like during the summer, right? Thanks for feeding my soul and Happy Bloom Day!
You’re welcome, Kathleen, and thanks for visiting. Fall, winter, and spring are Austin’s reward for enduring summer. Blooms are sparser, but the weather is much more pleasant now than in high summer. —Pam
Oh, I have such envy of your mature trees in your garden, especially the persimmon bark. Heck, I even like the cast iron plant providing some winter green. That said, the cold temps the last two nights have pretty much killed all of my purple oxalis, which I don’t remember happening before. (In contrast, pink-flowering green-leafed form all seems fine.)
Hi, Lori. I’m really surprised to hear that your oxalis got nipped by the cold, which hasn’t been bad at all in NW Austin. I wonder if it will come back from the roots? —Pam
I’ve been thinking about adding a Turk’s Cap to my garden, but I wasn’t crazy about the orange/red flower colors I’d been seeing. I think I’m going to look for a pink one like your lovely plant.
Hi, Nancy. I love the red (I always love red) Turk’s cap, but isn’t ‘Pam’s Pink’ delightful? It’s so fresh and delicate looking. And of course I’m fond of the name too. —Pam
Not a bad display Pam, considering you have only recently moved there. Love that Abutilon!
I think everyone in Austin is showing off their abutilons this Bloom Day. They won’t do a thing in the summer, but they’re good winter bloomers, like pansies. —Pam
Wow, what a lot you have blooming. Thanks for posting, it brightens up my minus 11-degree day!
Brrr, Monica. Stay warm and happy blog reading until it warms up again. —Pam
Happy Bloom Day, Pam, if I hadn’t told you already. Love the looks of Austin this time of year.~~Dee
Hi, Dee. It’s a quiet sort of beauty at this time of year, but it gives us a chance to appreciate our evergreen urban canopy of live oaks and junipers (even if the latter do cause major allergy problems) and the big, silver agaves. —Pam
I came over from Lisa’s blog and have to comment on how beautiful your flowers and photography are! Gorgeous!
Thanks, TeriC! I’m glad you popped over to say hi. —Pam
Oh, yes, I can assure you that ‘Radrazz’ does stop blooming, at least up here in the (seemingly) arctic north. But it was great to see yours being happy, along with so many other pretty companions. You’ve done a real public service on this Bloom Day by sharing your treasures with us garden-deprived northerners. Thanks, Pam!
You just need a silk ‘Radrazz’, Nan, to complete this month’s Bloom Day post. 😉 Seriously, I hope you get some warm weather soon. Your winter garden is gorgeous, but I’m looking forward—and I KNOW you are—to seeing it again in its spring frock. —Pam
Beautiful pictures, Pam! Did you take those in morning light? The last photo seems to be glowing. Regards, VW
Thanks, VW. It was actually the afternoon light of the day before. —Pam
Beautiful blooms, Pam! I love your photo of the Turk’s cap. Looks like your plants are finding their new home to their liking.
So far so good, Rose. I still have a lot of plants in pots waiting to be planted, and I hope they will fill out the new garden a bit by summer. —Pam
Pam, I bought a Marilyn’s Choice Abutilon after the last time you posted a picture. I’m so glad I did … although she’s still in a pot on a patio, she’s been happily blooming for several weeks. Thanks for the inspiration!
I had to buy an abutilon after seeing them on other garden blogs, Cindy, and ‘Marilyn’s Choice’ has been a good one for me too. But the one I really want is ‘Candy Corn.’ —Pam
Pam, with your eye for design and your green thumb, that new-baby garden is going to look all grown up and gorgeous in no time. Beautiful photos for bloom day.
Thanks, Renee. I want it now, but the planning and re-planning is also fun. I’m trying to be patient. —Pam
Hi Pam,
I love the flowers, and I think the live oaks you have are so sculptural. They remind me, with the stone below, of gardens in Carmel, CA.
Best regards,
Philip
I love the twisting live oaks too, and I like the stone except when I have to dig it out. 😉 I’ve never been to Carmel, so I’ll have to take your word for it. Thanks for stopping by! —Pam
Hi Pam: Ah, below-zero temperatures here (highly rare) and some dicey moments with the greenhouse furnace: No flowers in bloom for me this month.
Dortmund is a terrific rose up North too. Mine are ten feet tall, impervious to both cold and heat.
Ah, your range of Zone 8 flowers in January is delicious in the midst of New England’s January ‘white-out’. Congratulations!
I’d heard from Elizabeth at Gardening While Intoxicated in upstate NY that ‘Dortmund’ grows wonderfully for her too. I’m impressed by the range of this rose. Thanks for stopping by for a “warm up” while you wait for spring to return, Louis. —Pam
I am just discovering abutilons through the GBBD posts, and they are so pretty! I love your beautiful trees too!
Thanks, Dreamybee. I’m trying abutilons for the first time too. So far, so good. —Pam
You have some sweet blooms in your new garden, Pam. Marilyn’s Choice is gorgeous! I love the Abutilons. My Diamond Frost euphorbia is overwintering very nicely and hasn’t stopped blooming so far. It just keeps growing, and I keep snipping cuttings! The Turk’s cap, Oxalis and roses…all lovely! And green leaves! Lucky you! I read about ‘Dortmund’ doing well in our climate, so will have to look for one. How lovely to be gardening at this time of year! Happy digging Pam!
Hi, Kerri. I do feel fortunate to be able to garden all winter. It’s my favorite time of year to be outdoors doing the heavy work of hardscaping, or just going for a hike. I’m glad you can enjoy sweet little ‘Diamond Frost’ indoors. —Pam
Pam, I wish my Abutilons looked like that right now! Gorgeous! I overwintered ‘Diamond Frost’ inside last year and I don’t think it ever stopped blooming. Wish I’d brought it in this year.
Hi, Kylee. I’m waiting to see whether my ‘Diamond Frost’ will make it through the winter outdoors, and if so whether it will be as vigorous again in the spring. Experiments are half the fun, aren’t they? —Pam
I have a beautiful oxalis tringularis that someone gave me 30 years ago…. the other day I had a sever allergic reaction to it — sneezing, watering eyes — but don’t find any reference to allergy problems. Any insights?
Nope, I’ve never heard of oxalis allergy before. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen though. —Pam