Bloom Day January 2021

I may miss these reports throughout the year, but no way I’m going to skip the inaugural Bloom Day of 2021!

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Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor from the Winter Wonder Bulbs selection of “Huntington Bundles” came with a flower bud!
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blooms on Echeveria agavoides
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my old standby winter-blooming Pelargonium echinatum
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Acacia podalyrifolia has been engulfed in bloom for well over a month and still stops sidewalk foot traffic
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Potted up in December, it’s been much easier to keep calendula happy in winter than cosmos in summer, as in no trouble at all. Pure joy. I need to make this a winter habit. Nice long cuttable stems on ‘Touch of Red’ too.
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I heard/read a rumor that Helichrysum bracteatum wouldn’t mind growing through a zone 10 winter, and that has indeed been borne out as I watched these strawflowers make size instead of hunkering down and waiting for spring. Unsure whether this would be true in a rainier winter — we’ve been very dry so far. (aka Xerochrysum bracteatum)
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Fuchsia ‘Firecracker’ is stirring into bloom with the cooler winter temps (as is an abutilon I neglected to photograph)
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The plan to termite-tent the house was shelved, so the vine clambering up the side of the office/garage, Senecio confusus, got a reprieve. I’m pretty sure the roots have escaped the pot and infiltrated through the dry-laid brick.
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Aloe ‘Tangerine’ still tightly in bud as are other aloes not included this Bloom Day
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Also still tightly in bud is the over 10-foot tall flower spike on Agave pygmaea ‘Dragon Toes’ — uncertain whether flowers will be open in February or whether this very unpygmy-like spike soars even further skyward…

If you’re looking for something to stream to get through this next week, I just finished and can recommend Pretend It’s A City — possibly because I’m a native, suburb-bred Angelino, I’ve always been a big city girl in spirit, which is why I found Martin Scorsese’s conversations with Fran Lebovitz so enjoyable as they rambled around New York. No one does contrarian/curmudgeon like Fran, our modern-day Oscar Wilde in jeans. And who knew anyone could talk faster than Scorsese?! Hoping you have a fabulous weekend…

This entry was posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, Bulbs, pots and containers, succulents. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Bloom Day January 2021

  1. Kris P says:

    I adore that Pelargonium, which I’ve only seen in your garden. The Acacia is impressive and I envy you the Lachenalia. I’ve been looking for the latter for years and finally scouted a mail order nursery but they don’t ship until late summer – I’ve marked my calendar.

    Our temperature just hit 88F. I hope yours is lower. Enjoy your weekend, Denise!

  2. hb says:

    Calendula sounds like a great winter habit. Hope to take it up myself. None of the seeds planted in October sprouted, unfortunately. Next year.

  3. Elaine says:

    Nothing like enjoying flowers in winter. I have ordered a couple of Lachenalia so interesting to see yours. Looking forward to it’s blooms.

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