Christmastime blooms
Mild, blue-sky December days are a Texan’s reward for enduring summer. Right now I’m happy to see giant leopard plant, aka tractor seat plant (Farfugium japonicum ‘Gigantea’), blooming its head off every time I step outside.
Its big glossy leaves look like terrestrial lily pads and set off the sunny yellow flowers to perfection.
Although the Japanese maple struggled this summer, it finally rallied this fall (aka December) with red color on the remaining leaves. Offering up contrasting purple spires, the ‘Amistad’ salvia in the foreground got huge this year and is still going strong.
On my neighborhood walk, I spotted this lovely pink lantana against a dark-stained fence. So pretty!
I’m not without flowers indoors either. An amaryllis bulb I bought last month is about to pop, just in time for Christmas. And a Jamaican Brassavola subulifolia orchid that Michael McDowell of Plano Prairie Garden shared with me from his collection has opened its night-scented flowers.
Every evening they suffuse the kitchen with their vanilla-ish sweetness. Thanks, Michael!
In the living room/entry, our Christmas tree is blooming with lights and presents. Happy holidays, y’all!
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Your house is dressed beautifully both inside and out, Pam! I love that Brassavola orchid. And I’m impressed that you have all that gift wrapping done, especially as I’ve yet to even get started with that – this holiday season seems to be flying away.
Thank you, Kris. The orchid is really showing off. The presents under the tree include some from other family members, so I didn’t wrap them all. I agree though — Christmas is coming up fast.
Seeing the giant leopard plant in bloom was a surprise and treat. I had never seen one in bloom. Is yours in a sunny location, hence the blooms. I see them most often in shady yard areas which I understood they liked. Landscapes around Pease Mansion and Enfield-Tarrytown feature them in shady areas or receiving only morning soon. Likewise, I understood Purple Amistad Salvia grew well in shade but mine as struggled (purchased at Barton Springs nursery). Thank you for all the great posts this year—I’ve gotten “to travel to so many gardens with you”.
Blessings and Christmas’ love, Margaret
The giant leopard plant is in shade, which, as you note, is what it needs in our climate. It blooms in Nov/Dec if we don’t get an early freeze. Hooray for this year! The ‘Amistad’ salvia is more flexible and grows throughout my garden in both bright shade and part sun. I think it does well in full sun too, but I don’t have much of that. Happy Christmas, Margaret, and thanks for following my posts!
Hi Pam. Thanks for your garden tours, nursery visits and nature trips that you share with us. It can be very inspirational and interesting, especially as the Texas climate is similar to what we have here in the Northern Cape of South Africa. We are having our share of 100⁰F + temps now, our Christmas time is during the midsummer doldrums, enjoy your colder weather, and have a blessed Christmas. Regards, Clemens.
Merry summer Christmas, Clemens! I’m glad you found my blog all the way from South Africa, a place I’d love to visit one day.
Hi Pam. I’ve been following your blog for a number of years now, and I find your Texas approach very applicable. SA is quite a destination, with amazing plants, landscapes and wildlife. Very few places on Earth can compare. You won’t regret a visit. Contact me if you want a guided tour of the semi desert Kalahari region we call home.
That’s very generous of you, Clemens. Thank you for the offer! I really would love to visit SA one day and only wish it wasn’t so far. And thank you for following Digging too. It’s much appreciated. Happy New Year!
Happy Winter Solstice! From here on the days begin to get longer again, yay. That orchid is so lovely. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Pam. Thank you for your delightful blog. Best wishes for a bountiful 2025!
Happy Christmas to you too! Here’s to longer days and a beautiful gardening season in 2025!
My Giant Leopard plant is blooming too! I bought it at Hill Country Water Gardens and Nursery in Cedar Park. It has given me so much pleasure. Great plant for around the pool.
Isn’t it beautiful in bloom? And out of bloom too. Enjoy!
Your outdoor blooms brings to me the difference in our gardening situations. My garden shows only the darkness of the season. The few greens that splash about the garden are certainly welcome tho.
I see that your home is fully ready for the holidays. I wish you and yours a Happy time.
It’s a different kind of winter way down south! Happy Christmas, Lisa!
The Farfugium was a surprise that I didn’t expect. Does it need a lot of extra water in Austin? Very nice Christmas tree. I always like inspecting the decorations to see what is special and treasured for each family.
Yes, it’s thirsty in the summer in Austin. I have to water mine a couple times a week or it wilts in a pouty way. It’s worth the trouble for those of us with dense shade and deer, though. It thrives in those conditions, and deer don’t bother it.