This is only my second January to be home since I entered blog world, and before that, since my husband retired, we were often gone. I'm beginning to think it is a good time to be away. For one cedar allergies are rife and secondly if I thought I was going to do some gardening, I was wrong. A hectic schedule and the inclement weather, when I was free to garden, have kept me indoors. I could quite easily wish for a blanket of snow. It would add some interest to a sad looking garden. Nor can I get enthusiastic about the seed sowing I have often done in the past. I will be away from home for three weeks during the seed starting season. This year I will just have to buy my tomatoes and peppers. Nevertheless, I went out into the garden with camera in the hope of finding a few stray blooms. This is not the January 15th of 2009.
The four nerve daisy, Tetraneuris scaposa, has to be one of the toughest plants around. Neither wind, rain nor freezing temperatures will stop it from blooming. I'll forgive it for its habit of seeding all over the garden for producing a sunny little bloom on a miserable winter's day.
Daisy fleabane, Erigeron, will take plenty of punishment too. It is always one of the first blooms to appear in late winter.
Snug in one of my multiple microclimates, alyssum usually blooms all winter long.
My mulleins became very confused with our favorable fall temperatures. Instead of producing that gorgeous low mat of fuzzy leaves it sent out a flower stalk and is now blooming. Texas tough.
I am hoping to overwinter this ice plant. It continues to bloom, while protected from the elements, in the greenhouse. Apart from these few blooms the garden sleeps, preparing for a new season. Happy bloom day gardeners and thanks to Carol at Maydreams for hosting. Y'all me your blooms to brighten a gloomy day.
It's good to know which plants can tough it out and why does it seem to be those rampant self-sowers?
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in for bloom day and showing us what "Texas tough" looks like!
Fleabane is so sweet - I love its little daisies...not much blooming over here either but I did find one bloom worthy of blogging about! Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteYour blooms are beautiful! Such talent with a camera. So good to see a piece of Texas.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, what you do have right now!!!
ReplyDeleteSo frustrating not to be able to get in the garden or sow your own seeds this year! Well those blossoms may be few but they are very pretty - I like the spunky little daisy!
ReplyDeleteNo blooms outside with deep snow cover, and none inside either, but I really enjoyed seeing your contribution to GBBD.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the four-nerve daisy. Mine bloomed for four seasons in a row but has gone kaput. I think it was the lack of rain until here recently that sent it into dormancy. Maybe it'll perk up now. Love your alyssum. Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteYou did find some lovely little beauties to share for Bloom Day. The Alyssum is so beautiful and I love the Ice Plant ... gorgeous colours.
ReplyDeleteAt least there are a few blooms. My ice plants are still blooming and looking pretty good -- they were just closed up in the dark and rainy day yesterday. I also have a few wine cups! Love that DH saved the mum and it's thriving. Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteI must have the fleabane. And I'm determined to find the secret to alyssum success. Mine elude me.
ReplyDeleteI've got one verbascum leafing out and was looking forward to spires and spires. Looks like I'll find them this year only on your blog!
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