Sunday, December 15, 2013

GBBD: Winter Whites

It's time once again for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, the day each month when we feature what is currently blooming in our gardens.  This time of year is always challenging for those of us living in colder areas, where nothing is usually blooming outdoors.  It's even more challenging for someone like me who doesn't "do" houseplants either.


The only true bloom I have right now is my Christmas cactus, which I realized on looking back through older posts, is the same bloom I've featured the past few years for December Bloom Day.  Actually, this is a small one I bought last year, and I'm happy to see it blooming again.  The older Christmas cactus isn't showing any sign of blooms, evidence of my brown thumb when it comes to houseplants.


The real story, though, is outside, where we finally received our first measurable snowfall.   Winter storm Cleon went south of us a week ago, missing us except for a light dusting of snow.  But nearly a foot of the soft, fluffy kind fell on us overnight yesterday, creating a true winter wonderland.


For a few hours at least, the snow clung to branches everywhere.  All this tree needs is some Christmas lights--and a helper with a 40-foot ladder to hang them:)


Hydrangeas bowed down under the weight of the snow.  Not to worry, though, they soon recovered.


The clematis and its trellis provided a base for some interesting ice sculptures.


'Limelight,' probably my favorite hydrangea, looks good even in the winter.


Russian Sage, Knockout Roses, and Purple Coneflowers all sport white "blooms."


No one will be sitting on the arbor bench for a while, I suspect.  I thought it was funny that the green tape showed up so bright in this photo.  I tied up the many canes of the climbing rose that were going every which way--pruning this plant is one of the first projects to tackle come spring.


I always leave the coneflowers standing for the finches, but by October they look pretty ratty.  They look so much better sporting their winter hats.


I intended to put more Christmas decorations outside, but the weather turned bitterly cold last week, and I've decided it's not worth the trouble anymore. I wasn't quite satisfied with the pine and berries I put in this pot, but the snow added just the right finishing touch.

Not your usual blooms for Bloom Day, but I'm enjoying Mother Nature's added touch to the garden; I hope it stays white for Christmas!  To see what's blooming all over the world, do visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for this monthly celebration of Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

22 comments:

  1. Lovely garden in the snow. But really, I need to convince you that you do not have a brown thumb with houseplants. The Christmas cactus is pretty!

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  2. Those evergreens are gorgeous with their blanket of snow!

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  3. Your garden looks like a winter wonderland. Happy holidays!

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  4. What a great and nice spruce, Rose! The weather surprised you and you'll have white Christmas now.
    Have a nice week!

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  5. Your flocked trees, shrubs etc are just beautiful. It sure looks like Christmas. Love the little cactus blooming too. Mine has stopped blooming. Nothing is blooming here. My Staghorn fern is sporing up a storm tho. Fun to see.

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  6. Your snowy garden looks like mine. We are having a white season here too, and it is pretty. Many people dislike this weather but I love the winter scene!

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  7. Thanks for sharing your winterwonderland photos. I think they can compete with any "real bloom" photos! So pretty, but to be honest I like the snow, but I wouldn't like the cold that goes along with it in your climate. So I am content to enjoy the snow just through your photos. Happy Holidays!
    Christina

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  8. That's a beautiful snow! We have gotten a bit of snow here and there, but it's far too cold outside to spend any time looking at it. We cut our tree down yesterday and it was 12 degrees! We barely escaped frostbite!
    Happy Holidays!

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  9. Nice! It all looks so familiar! We just got several more inches of snow today and tonight. I'll be shocked if we don't have a white Christmas this year. Cheers!

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  10. What a beautiful snowfall. Let's see if this comment sticks.

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  11. Your garden looks so pretty under its white overcoat! As for your cactus, I think it is good to have a December bloom day tradition!

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  12. I also have a christmas cactus and a winter wonderland. Both beautiful. Your photos are gorgeous.

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  13. We've had similar weather in Maine but I love how the cold temps are preserving our 18 inches of snow. Your garden is gorgeous in winter - it doesn't need any more decoration than snow. Happy holidays, Rose!

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  14. It looks beautiful there Rose. I love how snow transforms a landscape, especially the perennials left standing. I too leave Russian Sage, roses, hydrangea and coneflower standing. They look divine covered in winter finery.

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  15. Oh that snow lloks SO beautiful...but I'm so glad we are snow free right now!

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  16. I loved your photos of the snow! I love a garden that has winter interest, and your garden does.

    I'm glad to hear you have a brown thumb with house plants. I feel less alone. I really don't enjoy taking care of house plants. I lose interest in them. I do like the Christmas cactus plant, but I quit buying them because I always let them die.

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  17. Now that looks like a really magical scene Rose. I nearly treated myself to a Christmas cactus earlier in the week but opted for a peace lily instead. Wishing all the best at Christmas and happy gardening in 2014 xxx

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  18. The snow is so pretty! I love it on the giant evergreen. I don't really do houseplants much, either, as I have a cat that eats them. I am determined this year to have a couple terrariums in my new place, though. Hopefully, they'll take care of themselves and be low maintenance (one can hope)!

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  19. I hope you had a nice Christmas Rose.Your garden looks very festive all covered with snow. Enjoy the rest of the holidays and all the best for 2014!

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  20. Merry Christmas and happy new year Rose. Much like you I intended to put outside decorations on the porch this year but just got too tired to deal with it. Love the pine and berries you did manage to set out. I'm rather wishing I had done at least one pot now but the snow's too deep here to think of such things now.

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  21. Well, although I usually hate snow....... you have got some lovely shots of your garden. Love your icy pictures.
    Happy New Year, Rose.
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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  22. Rose, I understand that it was cold, but the pictures are really beautiful. I want to have some snow, but I don't want to drive in snow...
    Stay warm!!!

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