Here in central Alabama, the temperature continues to be warm and there are still some blooms to show you. We are expecting some rain later this week with some near freezing temps next weekend. So, in addition to the blooms I also show the plant world adjusting to the colder weather of winter. Winter does not officially arrive for 2 weeks.
First up today is a container geranium (Pelargonium sp) which is about to bloom here in mid December.
Second is a tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) which is blooming. It is expected after a significant rainfall such as the one we had last week. The fragrance carries all across the yard so that you may not see them but you can certainly smell them.
Third is a holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum). It seems to be enjoying the temps and showing signs of increased color. This fern is evergreen for our climate.
Fourth is of my fall winter vegetable gardens. These are some beets (Beta vulgaris var Boldor). If they succeed, intend to make some borscht or a beet and goat cheese salad.
Fifth is some lambs ear (Stachys byzantina). It makes a very pretty groundcover in sunny areas as well as part sun. The have spike like stems in the summer from which the flowers emerge.
Finally, I have a plastic jug in which I have started some milkweed (A. tuberosa). As you can see they have begun to sprout. I will harvest some of these and transfer into separate containers when it is reasonable to do that.
Hope you enjoy these photos. Join us on Six on Saturday which is now hosted by Jim Stephens here. It is a place to see the work of gardeners around the world.
Happy gardening!
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I miss winter gardening! When I lived in Seattle, I would grow beets, chard, kale, lettuce, carrots all winter. It was so nice! Now I must wait until april-may to get anything in the ground and I don’t have a good setup to grow starts, at least not many.
Be sure to plant out your milkweed in places you want it forever. The REALLY deep roots are impossible to remove! The tea olive sounds lovely.
Oh how lovely to have a plants that will waft its scent across the yard.
It is indeed wonderful. It is a wonderful fragrance which does suggest tea.
I guess you are growing milkweed to bring in monarch butterflies? That will be a lovely sight.
It will. They came in the fall this year so these will be ready for them.