Here in my Zone 8 garden just northwest of Houston, we got our killing frost right on schedule this year. Two of them in fact. For two nights in a row early last week, the temperatures dipped to a few degrees below freezing and that was the signal to most of my plants: "Time to pull the covers over our heads and go to sleep."
The result is that most of my garden now looks a lot like this, a blackened
Hamelia patens that was still in full bloom at the time of the frost. These shrubs die back to their roots in winter but always return in the spring.
Knowing that the heavy frost was on its way and that I probably wouldn't have any blooms for you on Bloom Day, I surveyed the garden on December 3, took pictures of most of the plants that were blooming then and
posted them here. Viewing those pictures will give you an idea of what Jack Frost took.
The frost took a paint brush to the sycamore trees which had continued to hold on to their leaves. Almost overnight the leaves began to turn fall colors.
A few days later, the leaves started falling. Now my backyard is covered in a colorful patchwork of leaves.
To be sure, a few plants still hold onto their blossoms, like this
shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana). This is the first year that I've grown it so I'm not sure how long it will keep these interesting shrimp-shaped blooms. The plant description said that it might bloom into December. So far, so true.
A few of the roses, including the Knockouts, 'Old Blush,' 'Dortmund,' and 'Caldwell Pink' still carry a few blooms, as well.
And on the back porch, the purslane which lives in a protected spot, continues putting out these pretty little blooms.
But that's about it. A poor showing indeed for December.
Now, if you want to see some real bloomers, visit our hostess
Carol at May Dreams Gardens and see the list of this month's Garden Blogger Bloom Day's participants. Those gardens are sure to have some blossoms for you.
Thank you for visiting my garden today and I wish you happy end-of-the-year holidays and a healthy and happy New Year. May your garden prosper in 2012.
Love your blooms! We've finally had a few frosts too up here...not enough to seal the deal...but it's getting closer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scott. The frost is a reminder that winter is coming. Just one week until the Solstice and then the days begin to lengthen again. No rest for the gardener.
ReplyDeleteHey you have some blooms that is always a plus at this time of year. All of my trees are now completely bare.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Your garden is sleeping, Cher, and so, for the most part, is mine. But soon enough they will be waking - and blooming - once again. Happy Bloom Day and thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI am so surprised to see the shrimp plant making it through two frost episodes. I thought they were tropical plants, guess I was really wrong. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteNice post and I'm sorry about those freezes last week. I live deep inside Houston and I covered everything and held my breath. It got down to 32.4 on the neighborhood weather station (Wunderground). So my blooms live to bloom another day. I'll get hit soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't that funny about the leaves? I noticed it as well that they suddenly all seemed to fall at once. Strange year to have such a late fall. Your beautiful purslane is quite a trooper.
David/ :-)
The shrimp plant has been in bloom for months now, GWGT, and I really have no idea how hardy it is since this is my first experience with it. It lives in a somewhat protected area under a tree so that may have contributed to its survival so far.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much difference a few miles makes, David. But though I'm sad to lose my blooms, I take the freezes in stride. My garden has had a tough year and it needs its sleep.
ReplyDeleteHi Dorothy, We have had a few days of light frost so far this year, and of course that did in the brugmansias in my garden. It is always sad to see the end to summer's flowers. But we can look forward to the promise of spring!
ReplyDeleteI shocks me you have had a killing freeze in Houston, and we haven't. I would not have predicted that.
ReplyDeleteYes, those brugs just can't take the frost, can they, Dorothy? Mine were gone with the first light frosts about three weeks ago. It was sad to see them go because they were in full bloom at the time.
ReplyDeleteFickle weather, Les. It's never been more fickle here than in the last eighteen months.
ReplyDeleteWell the arrival of Jack Frost certainly didn't seem to affect your terrific Shrimp Plant. It looks terrific. I hope it lasts a little bit longer for you to enjoy. Your Portulaca is gorgeous too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bernie. I'm happy for any blooms I can get these days.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a couple freezes here, too, and I've managed to get my perennials cut back, so everything is neat and tidy again instead of widespread frozen blobs :-) The only blooms I have now are the containers. That's why I love having so many containers...so I can have blooms all year long, no matter what my perennials are doing. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for stopping by here, Toni. Happy holidays to you.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how different things are in Magnolia compared to Katy. My Hamelias were nipped but still have leaves. The oak trees are shedding profusely, however. I need a good leaf shredder!
ReplyDeleteMy red oaks are beginning to lose their leaves, too, Cindy. On top of my sycamore, crape myrtle and other leaves, there's hardly any part of my yard that isn't now covered in a thick layer of leaves.
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