GBBD: December Sparkles

It is hard to believe that it already mid-December and the last Garden Blogger's Bloom Day post for 2011. December has been a rather mild month with only two hard frosts. That was enough to put down most of the blooming plants for the winter but taking a walk through my garden this morning revealed some interesting finds.


The creeping phlox seem to be a little baffled by our mild weather. Normally spring blooming, the phlox have started to bloom early. A heavy dew had them sparkling in the morning light. Almost as if they were decorated for the holidays.


Hellebore are also blooming earlier than normal. They usually show their faces in late January to early February. But we have been enjoying temps in the low 70's this week! So they decided to have an early show. According to the Farmer's Almanac we were at 39.2 last year. What a difference a year makes!


The Coral Bark Maple is particularly intense this month with its very deep coral color.


The Oriental Paper Bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Winter Gold') is new to my garden this year. I am looking forward to seeing the blooms open around mid-January to early April. In the meantime I am enjoying their spectacular large silvery buds. They hang like ornaments on a tree.


The euphorbia and creeping begonia are looking very festive with their red and green tones.


The tropical milkweed is putting out presents. The pods are opening to reveal many brown seeds. The fluffy floss is spectacular when the light reflects on the filaments and the morning dew drops hang onto the ends of the hairs. These gifts of nature will blow where they may.


And lastly, I really love the browns of the dried hydrangea 'silver dollar' blooms. They are just splendid in every season.


You can enjoy other December gardens from all over the globe by linking over to May Dreams Gardens.

Happy Holidays y'all!

Comments

  1. Great photos, quite inspiring! Happy Bloggers Bloom Day! Kelli

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  2. i have a new edgeworthia this year, too, but mine is tiny and it only has one cluster of flowers on it. still, i can't wait to see it bloom. your hellebore photo is striking -- love it.

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  3. Wow, those frosty flowers are awesome, most especially because i haven't seen them in person. Our artificial plastic or rubberized flowers for the Christmas trees and decors have frost in them, very obvious that they are imported from temperate countries.

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  4. Happy Bloom Day, Karin, and keep warm on those frosty days. Really pretty images with touch of a Christmas bling, sparkle and papery shine.

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  5. What a wonderful post! Beautiful photos-love the texture and shimmer... Thanks for sharing :)

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  6. There is so much to love here. The maple is stunning, as is the euphorbia. I have never seen edgeworthia before but the buds are beautiful.

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  7. That creeping begonia is just stunning!

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  8. Love the sparkling blooms and the color of the maple bark!!

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  9. Your Coral Bark Maple is stunning...Beautiful color! I also enjoyed the photos of your hydrangea. I agree they are wonderful in every season. Happy GBBD!

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  10. Nothing blooming outside here...although I'm afraid to look under the mulch at the Hellebores. They're probably getting ready to bloom. And we have a lot of cold weather ahead! How wonderful that yours are blooming now!

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  11. You take beautiful photos. I am captivated by the Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Winter Gold' today... having seen it many times, but your pictures make me think about making a place for it next year :)

    I usually have a few creeping phlox flowers in late autumn. They are long gone around here though.

    Merry Christmas to you & your family!
    Julie

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  12. Karin, Stellar photos! I am completely charmed by the milkweed pods and seeds and isn't Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Winter Gold' a beautiful promise of bloom. gail

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  13. Lots of pretties in your garden this month :-) Love the buds on the paper bush. Not familiar with that plant; I'll have to research. Merry Christmas!

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  14. Fantastic pictures for Bloom Day. Really beautiful.

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  15. Wonderful photos of your winter garden. Amazing to see blooms at this time of year alongside dried blossoms.

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  16. My husband said the other day that our edgeworthia is his plant of the year. Lovely photos---I've been sick so am a little behind.

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  17. Jennifer@threedogsinagarden
    Beautiful sparkling photography Karin!

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One of my favorite things about blogging is the conversation with readers. Leave a comment and let's get talking. ~Karin

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