It is January in the desert garden...
It is just the end of winter, with the first hints of spring.
the North Border
The great triumph of January has been watching the first couple of blooms unfurl on Alyogyne huegelii (see my last post).
The blue flowers predominate in the North Border right now, but there are also a few reds. Left to right below: Pelargonium peltatum, Lavandula multifida, Salvia farinacea, Justicia californica, Lavandula x intermedia. Clicking any of the collage photos will create a slideshow.
the Central Bed
In the Central Bed there are roses; in fact, there is a full range from roses to the tropical colors of Russelia and Cuphea, to a dash of bright red from desert native Calliandra californica.
Left to right below: rose 'William Shakespeare 2000', rose 'Wollerton Old Hall', rose 'Sterling Silver', Calliandra californica 'Baja Red', miniature rose 'Daniela', Cuphea ignea 'Vermillionaire', a noID gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) mixed with Lavandula x 'Goodwin's Creek Gray', hollyhock 'Creme de Cassis', Russelia equisetiformis 'Big Red'.
the East Border
I was mistaken in yesterday's post: there are still a few flowers from Narcissus 'Autumn Colors' (above). They are tucked back in the scramble a bit!
Elsewhere (left to right), it is Tagetes x 'Gold Medal', Senna nemophila, Chrysactinia mexicana (just a few flowers), Narcissus 'Nir', Lantana 'Denver Red'.
the South Border
In addition to the drying ornamental grasses, the miniature roses continue to bloom. The lower part of this border is at its brightest in spring, and hints of that season are arriving with the first blooms on Eremophila maculata 'Valentine'.
From left to right (the order will probably be different if you are viewing on mobile): Narcissus noID (probably tazetta), Eremophila maculata 'Valentine', lavender miniature rose, Salvia 'Summer Jewels', Kalanchoe x 'Pink Butterflies', pink miniature rose.
the White and Silver Garden
In the White and Silver Garden it is silvery-blue Lavandula dentata that holds the stage, supported by the crisp white of lantana and the creamy near-yellow of Asclepias subulata.
the Rose Border
Only one rose is in flower in the rose border. This is 'James Galway', bud and bloom. The surviving 'Goodwin's Creek Gray' lavenders are in full flower too. This border needs a good deal of work this year!
And lastly, one from the potted plants on the patio. Last fall I dug up this yellow chrysanthemum because I wanted to slip Tagetes x 'Gold Medal' in that spot and the chrysanthemum wasn't faring too well anyway. In fact, it seems to have been the best thing all round, and the little chrysanthemum is now blooming merrily away. These varieties are, after all, developed for container culture, I suppose.
Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day! January is turning quite lovely now, and February and March are just ahead - the prettiest time of year for the garden here. I'm looking forward to it - hope you will join me!
Weather Diary: Sunny; High: 74 F (23 C)/Low: 45 F (7 C); Humidity: 15%-74%
Write a comment
Lea @ Lea's Menagerie (Monday, 15 January 2018 11:19)
Beautiful!
Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
rusty duck (Monday, 15 January 2018 12:20)
I think I could come to love winter.. if it looked like yours!
Leslie (Monday, 15 January 2018 12:40)
Beautiful blooms and so many! Happy Bloom Day!
Lisa at Greenbow (Monday, 15 January 2018 13:55)
Being in the desert has it's rewards during winter. I imagine that is why a lot of people from up north go to AZ for the winter. Your blooms are splendid. Happy GBBD.
Kris P (Monday, 15 January 2018 14:09)
Your roses always strike me as a miracle of sorts, Amy! I'm about to prune mine but there's no danger of chopping off any blooms here as there aren't any (well, maybe one or 2 on the climbing 'Joseph's Coat'). I'm wondering whether cutting my Alyogynes back more severely will rejuvenate - or kill - them. Yours is splendid!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 16 January 2018 11:25)
Thank you so much, Lea! Happy GBBD to you too! :)
Cathy (Tuesday, 16 January 2018 13:57)
Wonderful! Your garden is full of colour and gorgeous flowers even in winter! :)
betty - NZ (Wednesday, 17 January 2018 20:24)
I have to say I wouldn't mind living in the desert! But New Zealand is a pretty good consolation place to live :) Your blooms are just wonderful and cheery!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 18 January 2018 21:44)
RD - Honestly, I don't think I've been anywhere with more beautiful winters. If you need a quick getaway to sunshine, this is the spot... ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 18 January 2018 22:23)
Leslie - Thank you so much! It's just that time when things really begin to bloom here... Thanks for dropping by!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 18 January 2018 22:46)
Lisa - Thank you so much! Yes, our bright, mild winters are definitely one of the perks to living here. ;-) But in order to garden, I also have to get the garden and myself through the summers... and that is a different matter! Thanks for coming by!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 18 January 2018 23:22)
Kris - That Alyogyne is marvelous. But its predecessor was comparatively weak and gave out during the nasty summer of 2016, when we had no relief from monsoon rains. I have no idea what the difference was, but oddly enough the first one was a named variety (I've forgotten what, I'm afraid), while this one is not.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 20 January 2018 17:24)
Cathy - It's been a mostly lovely January. But honestly, it's in summer that I really have to get creative to keep flowers in bloom! ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 20 January 2018 17:31)
Betty - Thank you so much! :) I've not been to New Zealand, but pictures of it always look like the most beautiful place under the sun. I do love the desert though... Thanks for stopping by!