January GBBD--At Last!

This is the time of year when we Northern gardeners read with envy the Bloom Day posts of our neighbors in the South. Perhaps not this year. The extreme weather may have turned some of those beautiful gardens into something that resembles my frozen garden. Why not check out the links at May Dreams Gardens, to see what, if anything, is blooming on this January Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.




Instead of gardening clogs, one must wear tall boots to tromp through the snowdrifts to see if anything picturesque not already shown here is worth photographing. The shade garden provides a few new scenes. Heuchera blooms still wave in the brisk winter winds even if the rest of the plant is submerged.

With its feet frozen in place, "Let's Dance in the Moonlight" can't even manage a two-step.

There is a little color on my patio, however. Not to be outdone by the beautiful poinsettias Donna found growing outdoors on a recent trip to San Diego, these red beauties are undaunted by the cold. Of course, mine are the type that never stop "blooming":)

To find a few real blooms at my home, we have to go indoors. Geraniums, a begonia, and Miss Rosemary are still hanging on in the sunny spare bedroom. Next door, a single pot of tulips I planted on January 3 are beginning to show some signs of life. Maybe they will be ready for the next Bloom Day?

But what has really excited me this past week is this gangly-looking plant. Some of you may remember that last year I attempted growing my first amaryllis bulb. The plant grew and grew with leaves extending at least two feet, but it never put out a blossom. I stuck it outside, pot and all, over the summer, watering it only as an occasional afterthought. After the weather turned cold this fall, I finally remembered to bring it in, not expecting it to survive. Imagine my surprise last week when a stalk emerged with what looked like a bud on it.

I watched it carefully on Monday . . .

. . . and on Tuesday . . .

. . . looking good on Wednesday . . .

Voila! Thursday afternoon--perfect timing for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

Yes! This may just get me through a few more weeks of winter.

To see other blooms from all over the world, visit our charming hostess and the keeper of the secrets to gardening happiness, Carol.