1/15/09

Yikes! It's Bloom Day already! How did that happen?

It's good I realized today is the 15th before I left for the morning. Otherwise it would have been night-time before I saw the garden again.

I only have one, big flower story to tell you in January. Its name is Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer'.

IMG_1358

IMG_1356

IMG_1357

IMG_1355

Actually, I just thought of something else to tell you.

IMG_1350

When the new Cobaea scandens flowers open, they make a little mess.

IMG_1351

I guess the flowers drop some nectar; sometimes I see ants on it. The stain dries up and goes away, but it's something to keep in mind. Nobody told me...

Tiny Cuphea flowers bloom all year, even in the shade. What a boon for the hummingbirds.

IMG_1361

Everyone will have sun soon enough. I can already detect the star's vernal trajectory across the sky by the movement of its light in my garden.

IMG_1376

How about a rare picture of your blogger, with chocolatey Tithonia diversifolia.

IMG_1369

Visit more gardens and find more flowers at Carol's place on the 15th of every month.

13 comments:

JvA said...

Pretty!

Handsome!

Maybe I'll snap photos in the yard today, this last day of my maternity leave. :(

Apropos of nothing--

Hey, I will watch Project Runway once I see it come up on my new DIRECTV service. I'm not going to rent old seasons, though. That would be weird.

Annie in Austin said...

Wanderer is the right name, isn't it, Chuck! It's fun to know Tithonia and cuphea bloom somewhere in January. And thanks for the rare sighting of the blogger. You look good.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Abigail Rose said...

Hi Chuck...Nice to see you! Your flowers look great. I'm doing a bloom day entry for the first time today.

Anonymous said...

OOOH, the best flower of them all, Chuck. You are blooming nicely too, I see. Hey, did I ever tell you about the hard. I bought for friends.....oh, okay. What is the deal with the cobaea, sloppy nectar? Thanks for the warning, the purple ones have huge leaves and are doing well, the alba still has not even shown leaves at all, still bent over with the stem showing, and only one so far. I have cupheas, a mix, up well too. They aren't hardy here, but might go in a pot to be brought inside. That may not have been the best idea to plant, but impulse rules when the orders are placed. I have been busy with the seed orders, a post to come!
Frances

Christopher C. NC said...

Now if only there was a pole bean that would bloom like the Hardenbergia.

Good thing the sun is a commin. Our fair blogger looks a wee pale. I could be worse, but looking in a mirror is too frightful to make a judgment.

Anonymous said...

It's good to catch a glimpse of the elusive blogger! I adore your Hardenbergia vine. Could it possibly grow here in Texas, or would the heat kill it? It nearly kills me.

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Pretty flowers(-: Are you guys having some wonderful Spring like days there? It was 80 here today! It was so nice! I have been busy working in the yard getting things pruned and cleaned up. I will be way ahead this year when Spring finally does arrive!!! Have a great weekend!!!

LostRoses said...

What a great bloom day surprise! I thought you'd look just like that, and you do. I like the faces on your flowers too.

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Tell me more about the Hardenbergia. I've never seen one before. It looks like some kind of native wisteria (almost)?? I love all your other flowers too. Cuphea is just one of those non-stop plants, isn't it?

Les said...

I am in zone envy over the Hardenbergia.

chuck b. said...

People ask about the Hardenbergia every year. It's an Australian from the pea family. It's popular in California for winter blooms and covering fences. I've seen it planted along freeways in the Bay Area. Sunset describes it as suitable for Zones 8-24--that range encompasses California's hottest places, down to temperatures as low as 15 deg F.

It grows in full sun, but I'd say some shade is a good idea in the very hottest places.

Carol Michel said...

It's taken me a few days to get here, but here I am and enjoying seeing the blooms, and putting a face with a name. It's always fun to see who is behind the camera and the blog.

lisa said...

Handsome January garden for a handsome blogger-how appropriate! I may have to try hardenbergia in a pot...does it grow well from seed?