December 2013 in the Northern Hemisphere

[meanie]

A few things are being positively heroic here at the moment!

In the cool greenhouse Salvia discolor is back in bloom (not what you'd call blooming well, but it's trying)...................


Outdoors, Salvia "Black and Blue".......................


My Lobelia tupa have been outstanding this year and here are the last of the blooms..................


Another of the perennial Lobelia wants to keep going too.......................


Nothing too exciting I know, but it's nice to see them in December.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Sternbergia lutea just keeps on flowering.

[Ezeiza]

It is quite an achievement, Keith, as S. discolor is sutropical. To take advantage of its drooping habit they grow it in tall pots.

[meanie]

It is quite an achievement, Keith, as S. discolor is sutropical. To take advantage of its drooping habit they grow it in tall pots.

S.discolor is dead here at the slightest hint of frost Alberto! That is what makes it something of an paradox, as it will bloom from mid April right through to November despite its sub-tropical origins.

I place my pot on the upper level of the garden next to the steps to appreciate the drooping habit.

If/when the weather turn Arctic here I'll have to move it into the cool spare bedroom.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Canna 'Phasion' today in the polytunnel.

[meanie]

Canna 'Phasion' today in the polytunnel.

Out of interest do you give your Canna winter rest?

[johnralphcarpenter]

Yes, when they are ready, but they still think it is autumn!

[fenius]

I have something that is supposed to bloom in spring! I know stranger things have happened but still...it has a light scent, too!
reineckia carnea

[meanie]

In the greenhouse (outdoors for the photos) is this unknown Crotolaria that I grew from seed.......................


Too cold/days too short for the flowers to open fully though..................

[fermi de Sousa]

In the greenhouse (outdoors for the photos) is this unknown Crotolaria that I grew from seed.......................

I didn't know that the were so many species till I went on-line to search! And some come from (tropical) Australia!
cheers
fermi

[meanie]

I didn't know that the were so many species till I went on-line to search! And some come from (tropical) Australia!
cheers
fermi

Up until a few weeks ago I had no idea even what genus it was! I had been given the seed by a non-gardening friend who went to Uganda for work. She said that they were from a small tree, which could well mean a medium/large shrub in reality.

There are something like 500 species in Africa alone. On the plus side I can at least be confident that this will mature to be one of the less weedy ones.

[astragalus]

Nothing heroic here in the way of flowers in bloom.  But with a wintry mix (snow, sleet) last night, there was lots of interest in the garden.  Unfortunately, it was so slick in the morning I had to wait a few hours for a little thaw before venturing out, so the full effect of the ice doesn't show in the pictures. 

[ranunculus]

Ski runs for the antlered rats?   

[Leena]

Last night was -12°C, but it is going to be warmer again.
I took this picture yesterday.

[astragalus]

Wonderful how nature can decorate with just a little bit of snow.  Waiting for it to happen here since it's been snowing fro a couple of hours .