Categories
Barbie's garden Christine's garden Gardening Home page features

Summer at last in the Two Gardens for December Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Pretty Petunias amongst the Carex

Yay! Summer, and our tenth combined post for the monthly Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for December 2011. All the planting and gardening of the past ten months has resulted in a splendid array of summer flowers in both gardens and we are thrilled with the results of our efforts. Not as pretty as spring but certainly bright and beautiful, our gardens are bringing us so much joy. We hope you enjoy our blooms!

Thank you for joining us for our December “Summer Stunners” …

Here’s whats blooming in Christine’s Garden in December 2011 …

I’m loving Summer! The beds have filled out beautifully and everywhere I look there are beautiful combinations of foliage or flowers. I’m especially delighted about shrubs and plants that are flowering for the first time or flowering again after no-showing in years gone by. Such are the joys in my “little gardening world”; A Gardenia comes back to life, a Hydrangea recovers to surprise me with a beautiful display, Weigelias are looking great and everywhere I turn I enjoy the sweet smell of summer (and gardening success). Thank you for joining me in my Summer garden.

[one_half]Pretty Petunias amongst the CarexPretty Petunias amongst the Carex[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pandorea jasminoides in flowerPandorea jasminoides in flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]First white Begonia flowersFirst Begonias flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another Begonia wears yellow …Another Begonia wears yellow ...[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Agapanthus in white …Agapanthus in white ...[/one_half]

[one_half_last]… and of course in blue... and of course in blue[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Red Impatiens mixed with FestucaRed Impatiens mixed with Festuca[/one_half]

[one_half_last]White ones brighten a dark cornerWhite ones brighten a dark corner[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Foxgloves flowering were a surpriseFoxgloves flowering were a surprise[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And the Hydrangea that almost wasn’t!And the Hydrangea that almost wasn't![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Gorgeous potted Gerberas delightGorgeous potted Gerberas delight[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And the new Osteopermums are prettyAnd the new Osteopermums are pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The unusual flower of the CynaraThe Unusual flower of the Cynara[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and the unusual Philodendron flowerand the unusual Philodendron flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Alyssum and Heliotropium comboAlyssum and Heliotropium combo[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and the Gaura and Lavender comboand the Gaura and Lavender combo[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dietes bicolor always reliableDietes bicolor always reliable[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Newly purchased Hebe ‘Wiri Joy’Brand new Hebe 'Wiri Joy'[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pretty miniature rose (unknown name)Pretty miniature rose (unknown name)[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And I’m loving the Iceberg rosesI'm loving the Iceberg roses[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Another unknown miniature roseAnother unknown miniature rose[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The sweetest smelling Gardenia ever!The sweetest smelling Gardenia ever![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Haemerocallis in beautiful yellowHaemerocallis in beautiful yellow[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Abutilon cutting is flowering like crazyAbutilon cutting is flowering like crazy[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Penstemon ‘Alice Hendley’ is prettyPenstemon 'Alice Hendley' is pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Mandevilla splenens always flowers hereMandevilla splenens always flowers here[/one_half_last]

That’s all from me today, lets see what’s happening in Barbie’s garden!

Here’s what’s blooming in Barbie’s garden in December 2011

I have seen Christine’s garden today and it is a true delight! Colour and beautiful foliage! What fun! My garden is a feast of new incredible edibles, but today it is Bloom Day, so I am happy to share all the colour and what’s blooming in my neck of the woods. Enjoy!!

[one_half]Hot Lips Salvia is a new addition[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The bulbine just keeps on flowering[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This little rose-bush produced this beauty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My calibrachoa looks fab in the rusty barrow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dierama Latifolius-Angels Fishing Rods[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Armeria Martima-White Thrift[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Californian poppies sill on show[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chamomile in full bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lemon Verbena[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Little violas showing a brave face this summer[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Nasturtiums are a big help in my garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Runner bean flowering[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Zucchini (courgette) flower-quite a show[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Salvia coral nymph – so sweet this is[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Erigeron (fleabane) a delicate ground cover[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Euphorbia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]One of many tomato flowers – yea![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fuchsia bush still takes pride of place[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Potato bush is always a bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Marigolds is another garden helper[/one_half_last]

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens for December Garden Bloggers Bloom Day to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in their gardens today – and check out the German version at Seepferds Garten for Blogger Blüten in Dezember! And if you haven’t joined yet and have some blooms you’d like to show off, please join in the fun of showcasing your blooms! We’d love to see what YOU have blooming in YOUR garden right now!

Thank you for joining us!

PS: Please join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter – we’ll be so happy if you do!

Happy Gardening!
xxx

By Christine

Dominated by large trees on a medium sized property, my garden is very shaded. With no “full sun” areas I have to plant shade and partial shade loving plants. I love shrubs and flowers including camellias and azaleas but Roses and Irises are my favourite and getting these to thrive is a challenge …

46 replies on “Summer at last in the Two Gardens for December Garden Bloggers Bloom Day”

Is your flowering pandorea jasminoide planted in the ground or in a pot? I have two in pots, hoping they’ll creep over a trellis fence. I bought them in August and planted them in the pots then (not massive pots, but biggish), and they are barely creeping along. No flowers. The soil is excellent (I bought potting soil and used lots of organic compost, and also put in super phosphates and an organic fertiliser), and I think I water them correctly. So I’m not sure whether they just need time, or whether they really need to be in the ground? Any advice? Thanks!

Hi Marilyn – I have pandoreas in pots and in the ground. The three planted in the ground … they sat for a year doing absolutely nothing! Then the next spring they took off a little (but not much) and at last, this year they are starting to grow AND flower! The ones in pots are new, so I can’t really comment yet, but they are flowering. There is a saying I’ve learnt from experienced gardeners that goes … “First year they sleep, second year they creep and third year they leap”. So depending on how long you’ve had them, what are they doing? Try fertilising yours once a month in the growing season with an organic fertisliser (I like Seagrow, especially for flowering plants). Let me know how your Pandoreas do!

By Post Author

Thanks, Christine! I like the sleep, creep, leap explanation – makes me feel less impatient! I’ve had my pandoreas for 5 months, so hopefully next season they’ll start making more progress. I sprinkled Talborne 3.1.5 in the pot when I fertilised my whole garden about 6 weeks ago, although I have read that liquid feeding is better for potted plants – not sure why?

Hey you guys,.

This is my first visit and I really love your blog. I think the energy between you guys make it sing especially when the worst of our winter is nearly upon us in Kansas. Thanks for sharing your cheery disposition.

Hi Patrick, Thanks for the visit and compliments!! I love your blog too – the post on Japanese Anemones was great – my favourite flowers! I hope we see you here again 🙂

By Post Author

Hi Christine and Barbie, The great joy of blogging is getting to enjoy a summer garden/s in the dead of winter. You both have a pretty selection of blooms in your summer gardens. I will take this opportunity to pass along seasonal best wishes. Happy holidays to you both!

It’s summer here too, but subtropical compared to your Mediterranean climate. Love your selection of blooms. I have had ‘Hot Lips’ on my front fence line for 2 or 3 years now and it never fails to collect compliments.

Wow – I too would love to see some wide garden shots of all these beauties. Congrats on getting the new garden areas going – so exciting to create a new garden space. Fun to see the Southern Hemisphere gardens – queensland so tropical – S. Africa, so Mediterranean, like is in California. You might like to join our “first views” meme where we show wide shots of the garden on the first of the month. I’m so curious to see your spaces! I also go to UC Santa Cruz arboretum and enjoy their South African area – all the Med. climate plants go down big over here (with people who garden according to climate anyway!). Thanks again for all the beautiful bloom portraits – they’re just lovely!

I have to remind myself that there is a whole other half of the world where people are celebrationg summer right now. If I lived there I would have to celebrate Christmas in July, as the holiday is so closely associated with cold weather for me. Although the weather people are predicting it could reach an unseasonably warm 20 here for Christmas Day.

I enjoyed visiting both of your gardens on this December Bloom Day. Your summer flowers are so beautiful, and it’s nice to see what we can look forward to when our spring and summer gets here. Right now it seems so far away!

I only have to wait a few more cold months here in upstate New York, United States, until spring. We normally get some 80 inches of snow a year where I live – so far our season has been almost snow less. But our gardens remain brown and dead. You’ll help keep me going with your wonderful pictures until spring comes for us. I’m also a little amazed you have many of the same flowers as we do here. Small world.

Beautiful blooms! I have to admit I’m a wee bit jealous you both garden in South Africa. It’s on the top of my list for dream plant vacations. We often visit the University of California in Santa Cruz, who has one of the largest collections of South African natives outside of SA in their arboretum. As a succulent freak I think I would pretty much go crazy. We’re lucky to have a similar climate that allows us to grow them all.

Delightful array of flowers, ladies! We share many of the same favorites, I think. It’s nice to see Agapanthus flowers again after six months…here they bloom in June. Happy GBBD!

Hi,

How strange to think of December as Summer, but then I guess you find it weird to imagine snow and coldness in December! 😀

Ooooh, I loooooove Dierama, I’ve tried to have some for a few years now and managed to have one plant make it to maturity! With such deep snow last winter it really knocked it back, so no blooms this past summer but I have now bought another three plants and maybe the vision I have in my mind will come a reality soon!! 🙂

Beautiful photos and I’m glad at least you’re having nice weather at this time of year.

You have so many of the same plants that grow here…although of course many of mine are not in bloom right now. Just lovely!

Lots of lovely blooms, really like the Foxgloves and the Hydrangea, which probably can’t grow in the Caribbean. I just brought back a packet of Osteopermum seeds from Mauritius so cant wait to see if I can get them to grow.

The Salvia coral nymph really IS sweet!

Hi Nicole – I’m in awe of your Bougainvilleas!! Wish mine looked like that.
Good luck with the seeds – I hope you post about them, would love to see.

By Post Author

I was impressed enough by you all’s gardens to check the climate in Cape Town, South Africa.
Cool Summers, warm winters… pretty decent gig if you can get it…
I’ll bet that everyone gardens!

Kind of funny though, a garden half way around the world, and may as well be next door…. THE SAME PLANTS!

If anyone needed incentive to locate the natural wildflowers growing in one’s own neighborhood, seeing the same plants everywhere seems like a good motivator…

Do you Have any wide angle full garden shots? Or are your gardens like many of mine… too large to get the shot?

Hi Stone – You are right, I see so many familiar plants and flowers all over the world. You will see wide angle shots in previous posts! My back garden was a mud pit 6 months ago.

It’s just too hard to look at all these summer blossoms, while staring out into the fizzling rain and snow mixture coming down now.
Greetings from the little garden of horror

Hi Christine, you seem to have a different winter season than those of Canada and the USA, as they are mostly deep in winter now. YOu still have lovely blooms there. I realized we have some plants in common too, although you have low temps which we don’t have.

[Re-your comment in my post that Asystasia intrusa looks like your Makhaya bella, i searched it and yes they somehow look the same. The flower also resemble our Philippine violet or Barleria cristata. They are of the same family although Makhaya is a genus in itself, meaning they have very different characteristics. However, long ago your Makhaya, which is endemic to South Africa, has been included in genus Asystasia. Here is one link: http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantklm/mackayabella.htm

Oh, yes. Flowers. It almost is a vague memory these days. ha.

We’ve had a bit of snow, but it’s gone today. We had quite the rainfall today with mid-40 degrees F… quite unusual for the middle of December!!

But we are in Winter, and won’t have a real Spring thaw until March. But it truly was lovely to visit your posts tonight! 🙂

Alan, you and your wife have an open invitation to visit us – my guest room is yours anytime! It would be so cool to show you our wonderful city (and gardens of course!).

By Post Author

Hey Alan – shame, we all have a time to shine – your time is still coming!! 🙂

I totally agree with Christine – you are so welcome!! An open invitation. I know you’re gonna love Cape Town.

Comments are closed.