Wednesday, December 23, 2015

The Garden in December

It seems that El Nino is already at play in our weather here in the Midwest. It's been so mild that I don't know whether to call it an extremely early spring or a really late fall, but it certainly isn't winter yet. We've had a few heavy frosts, but no snow. Mostly, it's been warm for December.
The grass is still green, the leaves are still on the butterfly bush, and bulb foliage is popping up here and there. Many of my hardier plants are still green, especially the ground covers. And there are a few flowers in bloom! The pansies here are a little wilted from a frost, but haven't really stopped blooming since I planted them way back in early October.
It's not uncommon for lamium to put out blooms during a warm spell, even in winter. But I always enjoy when it happens. The leaves stay fresh for most of the winter, fading only a bit when it's bitter cold. It spreads quickly, but I don't consider it invasive, because it's easily uprooted. It's easy to share when it starts to be a little overly enthusiastic.
These Tall Ribbon Mix snapdragons are a personal favorite of mine for many reasons. Mostly, I love them because they refuse to stop blooming. At least a few of these flowers have been in bloom non-stop since May! There aren't many left now, but still, they are definitely worth growing. They also drop seeds around freely, and you may not even have to plant them again next year.

This is the bloom that really surprised me, Candytuft. It's an early spring bloomer, so seeing a few flowers today was unexpected. The lamium, pansies, and snapdragons have never really stopped blooming from summer, but the Candytuft just started. I had no idea that these were so good for reseeding, because I have plants coming up all over the place. I'm sure I'll be giving them out to fellow gardeners come spring.
The rest of my December garden sights are the usual kinds you'd see this time of year, especially the ornamental grasses. Morning Light miscanthus makes for good winter interest...
as does Hamln pennisetum seen below. My favorite summer grass, Karly Rose is not a winter interest type grass, unfortunately. The seed heads shatter in autumn, leaving a mass of tangled stems behind. I still leave them up in winter, but only because its directions tell me to.
By far my favorite winter garden plant is Angelina Sedum. It's beginning to put on its winter color already. It seems to look best in February and March, when the snow melts and the rest of the world is drab.

I never thought I'd have a full garden post to share in December, but this year is definitely strange so far. I'm sure it will eventually get cold, and we'll surely see some snow. But in the mean time, I sure love this unusual weather. I've never been a fan of a white Christmas anyway.


15 comments:

  1. Oh wow. I should post a photo of our landscape: snow. We had fluffy snow fall last night for a short time. This morning it is foggy and cold. Winter. Our gift from El Nino. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is certainly not the norm, but I sure prefer it over your snow!

      Delete
  2. This weather is so weird and amazing, isn't it? I have lamium and mine isn't blooming - in fact, nothing is here - but the grass is still bright green. We've had a ton of rain, so it looks and feels like spring. You know I don't like snow, but the one and only day I would like it is on Christmas. I truly do enjoy a white Christmas. Though this year, it will be a partly sunny and mild temp Christmas. Oh, well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all have that dream of a white Christmas, but with our travels to Michigan over the holidays, I'll just skip that dream!

      Delete
  3. It's been a terrific winter so far - you had such pretty things going strong! I could have planted if I had known it would have stayed so open until now:) Love your photos as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking how nice it would have been to plant cool season crops in the veggie garden, if only we had known. And of course, now winter has actually arrived. I guess it had to happen.

      Delete
  4. Hi Robin, best wishes for a Happy New Year! I noticed how full my candytuft is just today. It isn't blooming yet, but if we get several more warm days, it surely will. We are expecting frost the next three nights, though Christmas Day felt like summer! Our winter weather has been a real yo-yo so far, which is common for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This certainly isn't common for us, but as of this week, real winter has actually arrived. Guess it had to happen eventually.

      Delete
  5. So lovely for December, Robin. I luv you sphere! Happy New Year fun friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a thing for sphere's in my garden, hence the washer ball and the penny ball. I also have a gazing ball, and a Talevera pottery sphere.

      Delete
  6. My angelina sedum is gorgeous, too, Robin. Strange, strange weather; like you I don't need snow and especially don't need the cold. Your winter garden is very beautiful this year! P. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For some reason, that sedum gets even more gorgeous in the spring, when the orange, reds, and yellows deepen until it turns to summer green. I love it especially when spring bulbs pop up through it.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  7. I wish I was 'seedier', Robin! Don't seem to have the time or patience in our short growing season and my life between 2 places. But I do so admire all that do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be hard to monitor seeds while hustling back and forth from one home to the next!

      Delete

Thanks so much for commenting, I always love to hear from my readers! I'll respond by commenting back on your own blog.