January -- Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Thursday, January 15, 2009

As I said in my last post, it's the quiet season in my garden. That being said, there are a surprising number of things blooming. We had some cold snaps back in October and November (kind of early for us), so I didn't really expect much to be blooming until spring hit. However, we did have some warmer temperatures in recent weeks so perhaps the plants all think that spring is here. At any rate, here's what's blooming.


Fragrant olive
Fragrant olive
Ah, this has got to be one of my favorite plants in the garden. Sure, it's not the most attractive -- it's tall, and spindly, reminding me of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. But boy, does it smell wonderful. It's amazing that such tiny flowers can pump out so much sweet, intoxicating aroma. If you live in Zones 7B-9B and don't have one in your yard, I highly recommend putting one in--especially by a front door or walkway where you'll catch a whiff of it when you pass by. 

Beach sunflower
Beach sunflower
I transplanted a few scrawny plants from the office into this bed back in March. They've really filled in and have been blooming non-stop ever since. In fact, I might have to thin them out if the predicted freezes don't take care of this for me.

'Louis Phillippe' Rose
'Louis Phillippe' rose
Sigh. What can I say about this rose? I do nothing to it and it rewards me by blooming yearround with its spicy blooms. Amazing.

Saucer magnolia
Saucer magnolia
This pretty magnolia is tucked into the back corner of my yard, so some years I hardly notice its blooms. Thankfully, I spotted it this year. It bloomed last year around the same time. It's also sometimes called a Japanese magnolia.

Glorybower
Glory bower
This vine is still going strong. It usually gets fried by cold temperatures, but I guess my yard has somehow been spared from the colder temperatures that Tom has had at his house.

Sandanqua Viburnum
Sandanqua viburnum
I'm not particularly fond of this bush, but it's a respectable foundation plant in my front yard so I'll leave it there for now. Interestingly, it emits a skunky smell when pruned.

Azalea
Azalea
These poor little blooms will likely get zapped later this week if the temperature drops into the upper 20s for two consecutive nights, as predicted. 


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You *do* have a lot blooming! All I've got are some salvias, geraniums, coral bean, camellia and some blooming succulents...well, I guess that's kind of a lot, too. You gotta love Florida.

Kim Taylor Kruse said...

Yes, and to me the best part is that the plants bloom on their own with little or no input on my part. Gotta love that tough love!

Unknown said...

Very pretty, is that a tea olive? My Dad has a huge one and it smell so pretty over the entire yard!

Kim Taylor Kruse said...

Indeed, it is a tea olive -- Osmanthus fragrans. You should put one in your yard too!

Daphne Gould said...

Beautiful blooms, though what I really wish was that I could smell the tea olive.

JGH said...

Very pretty! I grew up in Florida (Largo, near Tampa) and remember having a fragrant olive in my yard. We used to make little corsages out of them. Thanks for bringing back a nice memory for me!

Wicked Gardener said...

Cover those babies up - Its a cold one tonight! (BTW - Good to see you back!!!)

Anonymous said...

Wow, do you have a lot of blooming going on! Your azaelas make me jealous -- I wish I could have them here in the desert!

Anonymous said...

Before I moved and had a greenhouse, I had russian olive in it for the delicious fragrance. Thanks for the reminder. I think I can smell it. :)
Donna

Carol Michel said...

Lovely blooms, and so nice for those of us in "winterland" to see. Gives us hope for spring!

Thanks for joining in for bloom day,
Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Dreamybee said...

Ooh, I love your Louis Phillippe rose! I have not had good luck with roses out here.

A plant that smells like skunk when you prune it? I think that might be the true test of a gardener's love!

Kim Taylor Kruse said...

Thanks everyone for the comments!

@Dreamybee: You might try 'Louis Phillippe'. It's what people call an old garden rose, antique rose, or heirloom rose. It needs little care yet flourishes, unlike hybrid tea roses.

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